Nebraska Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

For their first season in the Big Ten, Nebraska certainly did a good job, winning nine games and reaching a bowl game for the fourth straight season.

This year, the Cornhuskers look to improve on that success and try to compete for a Big Ten title. They return 15 starters, including eight on the offensive side of the ball. The pieces are in place for Bo Pelini and company to make this year's team a contender.

As fall camp quickly approaches, here is what the 2012 Nebraska Cornhuskers depth chart should look like.

Quarterback

Starter: Taylor Martinez, Junior

Backup: Brion Carnes, Sophomore

Martinez is one of the more athletic quarterbacks you will ever find, but must improve as a passer if this offense is going to improve. He will remain the starter for Nebraska because he is a headache to deal with once he gets his feet moving.

Running Back

Starter: Rex Burkhead, Senior

Backup: Ameer Abdullah, Sophomore

Burkhead looks to get a ton of carries once again in 2012. He proved to be one of the best running backs in the country last season, rushing for over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Receivers

Starter: Quincy Enunwa, Junior

Backup: Tim Marlowe, Senior

Enunwa was the second-leading receiver for Nebraska, catching 21 passes for close to 300 yards last season. At 6'2", he will remain one of the go-to guys for Martinez in the passing game.

Starter: Kenny Bell, Sophomore

Backup: Jamal Turner, Sophomore

Bell has the skill set to become one of the top receivers in the country. He led the Cornhuskers last year with 32 receptions for 461 yards and three scores.

Starter: Ben Cotton, Senior

Backup: Kyler Reed, Senior

Much like last season, both tight ends will see equal playing time in 2012. Together, they caught 29 balls for over 400 yards and a touchdown.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Tyler Moore, Sophomore

Backup: Andrew Rodriguez, Junior

Moore was the first true-freshman in school history to start the season opener. He was a member of the 2011 All-Big Ten freshman team and will be expected to play the most important position on the offensive line.

Left Guard

Starter: Seung Hoon Choi, Senior

Backup: Andrew Rodriguez, Junior

Both players saw time at this position, and the starting role will need more time to get settled. The good thing is that both players have shown they can hold this position down when called upon.

Center

Starter: Cole Pensick, Junior

Backup: Justin Jckson, Senior

Pensick was Mike Caputo's backup for the past two seasons. Now that Caputo is no longer on the team, Pensick will be expected to hold the fort in the middle of the offensive line.

Right Guard

Starter: Spencer Long, Junior

Backup: Brandon Thompson, Senior

Long started every game last season for the Cornhuskers and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection. He enters the 2012 season as a preseason first-team All-Big Ten.

Right Tackle

Starter: Jeremiah Sirles, Junior

Backup: Brent Qvale, Junior

Sirles was a second-team Freshman All-American in 2010, starting every game at the left tackle position. This season he will look to protect the right side of the offensive line and continue to be a valuable part of this football team.

Defensive Line

Starter: Jason Ankrah, Junior

Backup: Joseph Carter, Senior

Ankrah started nine games last year and finished with 17 tackles and two sacks.

Starter: Chase Rome, Sophomore

Backup: Thaddeus Randle, Junior

Rome battled injuries all of last season, but still managed to pick up 13 tackles and a sack as a freshman.

Starter: Baker Steinkuhler, Senior

Backup: Jay Guy, Sophomore

Steinkuhler is one of the best defensive tackles in the country and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention last season. He finished the year with 40 tackles and two sacks.

Starter: Cameron Meredith, Senior

Backup: Eric Martin, Senior

Meredith is probably the best defensive lineman on this entire Nebraska team. He finished second on the team with five sacks, 58 tackles and even intercepted a pass. Look for another big year from Meredith in 2012.

Linebackers

Starter: Zaire Anderson, Junior

Backup: Trevor Roach, Sophomore

Anderson had 16 combined sacks at junior college, and looks to make a quick impact for Nebraska. With the lack of depth at this position, Anderson will likely see immediate playing time.

Starter: Will Compton, Senior

Backup: Trevor Roach, Sophomore

Compton started 11 games at the middle linebacker position last season and finished second on the team with 82 tackles. He was a Big Ten honorable mention and will remain in a starting role.

Starter: Sean Fisher, Senior

Backup: Alonzo Whaley, Senior

When healthy, Fisher has always been a key contributor on this Nebraska defense. The problem is that he has suffered a few injuries throughout his career. Hopefully he can make up for lost time and have a terrific senior season. 

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Andrew Green, Junior

Backup: Braylon Heard, Sophomore

Green had his chance to finally show what he could do last season and finished second on the team with eight pass deflections. He will remain a starting corner, as he has yet to really tap into his potential.

Safety

Starter: P.J. Smith, Senior

Backup: Ciante Evans, Junior

Smith is one of the most experienced players on this Nebraska roster, playing in 39 games throughout his career. Although that doesn't mean the starting position will be handed to him, Evans has done a solid job over the years.

Safety

Starter: Daimion Stafford, Senior

Backup: Corey Cooper, Sophomore

Stafford led the team with 10 broken-up passes and finished third with 80 tackles. He was also a Big Ten honorable mention.

Cornerback

Starter: Mohammed Seisay, Junior

Backup: Braylon Heard, Sophomore

Seisay is a junior college transfer, but with a great spring, he is already being considered for a starting spot in the defensive backfield. At 6'2", 200 pounds, Seisay could become a defensive nightmare for opposing receivers.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Brett Maher, Senior

Backup: Maruo Bondi, Sophomore

Maher was 19-of-23 from the field, and converted 43-of-44 extra point attempts. He also made three attempts of over 50 yards.

Punter

Starter: Brett Maher, Senior

Backup: Maruo Bondi, Sophomore

Maher is also a solid punter, averaging 44.5 yards per attempt and pinning 25 of his 59 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.