Nebraska Football: 2012 Starting Lineup Projection

College football fans get a double-whammy around the holidays. Not only do they have to deal with the post-Christmas blues, they realize they are about to go into a long, long offseason without college football. August is a long, long way away.

But fear not. Bleacher Report has you covered. Even now, we can look forward to see what Nebraska's 2012 depth chart will look like. Just close your eyes, think about who will be getting the start at the WILL linebacker spot next fall and you'll get through another A's-Orioles doubleheader in August.

Quarterback

Starter: Taylor Martinez

Backups: Tommy Armstrong, Brion Carnes, Ron Kellogg III

Martinez is the obvious choice returning as the starter. Armstrong, the freshman, gets the nod as the primary backup given the coaching staff's clear distrust of Carnes given his lack of playing time in 2011.

Running Backs

Tailbacks

Starter: Rex Burkhead

Backups: Aaron Green, Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard

A no-brainer. Burkhead should be the offensive leader, and the three soon-to-be sophomores behind him will be competing throughout spring for a place on the pecking order.

Fullbacks

Starter: C.J. Zimmerer

Backups: Mike Marrow, Lester Ward

Zimmerer gets the starting nod given his experience, but don't be surprised if Mike Marrow works his way into the starting lineup by the end of the year.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Kenny Bell, Quincy Enunwa, Jamal Turner

Backups: Tim Marlowe, Taariq Allen, Khiry Cooper, Steven Osborne

Tougher one to call, because it was very clear that Tim Marlowe was a trusted part of the Nebraska offense in 2011. But it's hard to keep the talent and speed of Bell and Turner, and the size of Enunwa, off the field.

Tight Ends

Starter: Kyler Reed

Backups: Ben Cotton, Jake Long

Reed is the offensive weapon at tight end, particularly down the field, which gives him the starting nod.

Offensive Tackle

Starters: Jeremiah Sirles, Tyler Moore

Backups: Zach Sterup, Ryan Klachko

Remember the start of the season, when Moore made history as a true freshman starting on the offensive line? He disappeared by the end of the year, but with an offseason of work (and a need due to graduation), he should regain his starting role alongside Sirles.

Offensive Guard

Starters: Andrew Rodriguez, Spencer Long

Backups: Seung Hoon Choi, Brent Qvale

Totally a call based on returning experience. Don't be shocked to see some of the incoming freshmen rotating through at guard as well.

Center

Starter: Ryne Reeves

Backup: Cole Pensick

This one's more about talent than experience. Reeves was one of the starts of last year's recruiting class, and he should get his chance at the spotlight in 2012.

Defensive End

Starters: Cameron Meredith, Eric Martin

Backups: Josh Williams, Jason Ankrah, Joseph Carter

Meredith is a clear starter, and Martin gets a slight nod over the rest due to his explosiveness. But he will likely be rotating time with Williams, Ankrah and Carter.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Baker Steinkuhler, Todd Peat

Backups: Chase Rome, Jay Guy, Kevin Williams

Steinkuhler is another no-brainer starter, and could be the leader of the defense in 2012. Peat gets the nod for his potential over the experience of Rome, Guy, and Williams.

Linebackers

MIKE

Starter: Will Compton

Backup: Trevor Roach

If Steinkuhler isn't the defensive leader in 2012, then it will be Compton picking up the slack from Lavonte David.

WILL

Starter: David Santos

Backup: Zaire Anderson, Matthew May

Tough call as to who will be starting in place of Lavonte David. Santos gets the nod based on potential, but don't be surprised to see Anderson seeing significant playing time.

BUCK

Starter: Alonzo Whaley

Backup: Graham Stoddard, Michael Rose

One of the biggest questions for the 2012 season, but Whaley was making the most strides of all the players listed.

Safety

Starters: Daimion Stafford, Harvey Jackson

Backups: P.J. Smith, Courtney Osborne

Stafford established himself as a starter, and both Smith and Osborne did not seize their opportunities when they presented themselves last year. Thus, Jackson and his potential gets the nod.

Cornerback

Starters: Andrew Green, Mohammed Seisay

Backups: Ciante Evans, Charles Jackson

Green earned his starting job back at the end of the season. Seisay is the type of player that doesn't get signed if the coaches don't intend to play him.

Special Teams

Punter

Starter: Brett Maher

Backup: Mauro Bondi

Placekicker

Starter: Brett Maher

Backup: Mauro Bondi

Long Snapper

Starter: P.J. Mangieri

Backup: Sam Meginnis

Returner

Starter: Ameer Abdullah

Backup: Tim Marlowe

No surprises with any of these selections, as all the starters are returning. Abdullah gets the starting nod with the hope that he can regain the form of his early-season magic, although Marlowe is a safe pair of hands returning the ball.

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