Top QB Bubba Starling To MLB: What Could It Mean for Nebraska Football?

Starling is considered a top-50 prospect in the 2011 MLB draft and throws a major league fastball in the mid-to-high 90s. 

Colleges that recruited him did so knowing that if he committed, it would be to play both football and baseball. That's why Nebraska fans were doubly thrilled to hear that Starling would become a Cornhusker back in June.

The catch?

If Starling is selected in the first round of the MLB draft, he's likely to bypass his collegiate career entirely and pursue a career in professional baseball. 

So where would that leave Nebraska's football team?

Here are some burning questions concerning the "Bubba Starling Decision."

Where Would Starling Be on Nebraska's Depth Chart in 2011?

Green was one of the top quarterbacks from the 2009 recruiting class, and considering that Lee was average at best in 2009, it wouldn't be surprising if Green passed him on the depth chart by midseason, if not by opening day. 

Either way, Lee will be a senior next season, and barring a surprising turn of events, Green will be the starter in 2011. The Cornhuskers' third string quarterback, Taylor Martinez, is expected to be his top backup. 

Starling is joined by fellow 2011 quarterback recruit Jamal Turner, who grades out just below his future classmate, as well as 2010 three-star recruit Brion Carnes as options to round out the depth chart in 2011. 

Realistically, Starling would be third on the depth chart as a true freshman with a chance to be No. 2, but the best option would be for him to redshirt when you take into account he likely wouldn't start until 2013. 

Would His Decision to Leave Affect Recruiting?

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LINCOLN, NE. - JUNE 11: University of Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini jokes with members of the media at a press conference announcing Nebraska accepting an invitation to join the Big Ten Conference June 11, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The university

The reality is that as good as Starling is, he doesn't play into the immediate plans of the program and is currently the Cornhuskers' only 2011 commitment from the state of Kansas. No one followed him to Nebraska, and no one's going to follow him out the door either. 

Starling is a baseball player first and a football player second. Regardless of where he's selected in the MLB draft, he probably will never complete his collegiate eligibility anyway.

Unfortunately for Nebraska fans, the more we learn about this situation, the more apparent it is that this quarterback is a short-term rental.

If he stays, great, but if he leaves, the program's recruiting won't suffer for it. Just remember he isn't even the only highly-rated quarterback prospect of the Cornhuskers' 2011 recruiting class. 

How Does the Decision Affect Jamal Turner?

Obviously, if Starling were to opt for Major League Baseball, then Turner would be the biggest beneficiary. That would slide him into the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback spot in 2011 with a chance to compete for the starting gig in 2013; maybe even earlier if Cody Green were to bypass his senior season for the NFL draft. 

With Starling out of the mix, Turner's future is much clearer. Maybe he redshirts his first year and then has three years with the starting gig, or maybe he serves as Green's primary backup as a true freshman and the cards fall his way in 2012 and he gets the chance to start as a true sophomore. 

If Starling stays, Turner has more competition for playing time from a superior-graded prospect. Even though baseball is considered a priority for Starling, he himself has never come out and said such outright. 

He may yet find his future on the football field, and if that puts him ahead of Turner on the depth chart, don't be surprised to see Turner opt for the route of a transfer to a more favorable situation. 

When Would Starling Make His Decision?

With Starling's situation, a good example would be that of Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker, who recently bypassed the chance to play professional baseball to remain in college after he was selected 26th overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 MLB draft. 

Parker set an arbitrary deadline for contract negotiations with the Rockies for midnight, July 21. It was then that he informed Clemson he would remain in college after not receiving the type of guaranteed money he sought from Colorado. 

Technically he has until Aug. 16 to change his mind and continue negotiating with the Rockies, but those close to him have indicated the decision to return to Clemson is final. 

So assuming Starling is selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft, you can realistically expect a similar situation to that of Parker. Of course, Starling might not set a self-imposed deadline and could potentially drag out the the issue throughout the summer. 

How Bad Would It Be for Nebraska If He Decided to Leave?

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Zac Lee #5 of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers is mobbed by teammates after scoring the first touchdown against the University of Arizona Wildcats during the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on December 30, 2009 at Qua

It would be "I wonder what could have been?" and nothing more. 

Nebraska is a run-first team anyway, and the loss of a major running back prospect or offensive lineman prospect would sting much worse. 

The Cornhuskers quarterback needs to be able to run the option, hit the midrange passes, take a couple shots downfield, and be a caretaker for this team to be successful. 

Can a great quarterback do more in this system? Of course, but for Nebraska to win games they don't need a great quarterback—just not a bad one. 

With Green and Turner and even Taylor Martinez, there's plenty of talent at the quarterback position—enough to go as far as to say that Starling wouldn't be missed.