Nebraska Football: 12 Players with the Most To Gain in 2011

Sure, football is the ultimate team game. But, it's also a game played by individuals, and sometimes those individuals have things to prove.

Whether it's a freshman getting his first chance on the field, a senior with a chance to make his final mark on the program or a certain maddeningly-inconsistent quarterback, 2011 will give a lot of Cornhuskers the chance to prove themselves.

Here's a look at a few players who have a lot to gain with a good season. 

Brandon Kinnie

Last year, Brandon Kinnie followed the lead of Niles Paul, hauling in 494 yards receiving and five touchdowns. But this year, Kinnie is the senior leader of a young corps of receivers learning a new system under new offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

In his senior campaign, Kinnie will get a chance to show his offensive talents and his ability to be a leader on the field.

Rex Burkhead

It could be argued that, in 2010, Rex Burkhead was Nebraska’s most trusted offensive weapon. But he shared the backfield with Roy Helu, which limited him to 951 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 2011, Burkhead will be the rock upon which offensive coordinator Tim Beck will build his offense.

Nebraska’s offense will have a lot of speed and a lot of youth on the field in 2011, but Burkhead will be the hub around which all of those speedy spokes will revolve. His output in 2011 should reflect that central role.

Ben Cotton

Ben Cotton was eclipsed somewhat by Kyler Reed’s offensive breakout, scoring eight touchdowns in 22 receptions.

But Cotton is a big-bodied tight end, and under new offensive coordinator, Tim Beck, he will get a chance to flex his chops and become a more integral part of the Nebraska offense.

Jamal Turner

In the first half of 2010, Taylor Martinez electrified the country with his blazing speed and elusivity.

But after his ankle injury, Martinez lost that speed, and Nebraska’s offense bogged down and became much easier to stop.

At the spring game, Jamal Turner wowed the crowd with his fast feet and quick moves. Converted from quarterback to wide receiver, Turner has the potential to add the home run speed Nebraska’s offense needs to open up defenses and keep the chains moving.

Ryne Reeves

Nebraska’s class of 2011 included a number of offensive linemen, but amongst the class, Ryne Reeves might have the best chance to see significant action as a freshman.

Mike Caputo is one of only two returning seniors likely to start on the offensive line, and Reeves has every opportunity to spend 2011 rotating in for Caputo and making his case to be Nebraska’s starting center for the following three years.

Mauro Bondi

It ain’t easy following a legend. It’s not easy to top the 57-yard miracle kick hit by Alex Henery in 2008 to save Nebraska’s bacon against Colorado.

But incoming freshman Mauro Bondi has the chance to step into the shoes of the Skinny Assassin and make his own legend.

Bo Pelini wouldn’t have given Bondi a scholarship if he didn’t think he was ready to contribute, so the door will be open for Bondi to make his case as next in a long line of successful Nebraska kickers. 

Ciante Evans

In 2010, Alfonzo Dennard got a lot of work at cornerback, in large part because teams tended to shy away from Prince Amukamura.

With Amukamura gone and Dennard now the focus of opposing quarterbacks, Ciante Evans has a chance to fill the role as the “other guy” when teams throw away from Dennard.

Evans gained valuable experience in relief last year as a freshman and has the opportunity in 2011 to parlay that experience into a solid starter’s role for the next three years.

Eric Martin

Last year, Eric Martin played linebacker in a Nebraska defensive scheme that de-emphasized linebackers in favor of the “hybrid” linebacker-safety players.

But Martin’s aggressiveness and playmaking ability earned him playing time at linebacker and on special teams, and in the offseason, he was converted to a defensive end.

If he can win a starting spot, Martin has the chance to use his skills and his aggression against B1G quarterbacks.

Alfonzo Dennard

Prince Amukamura was Nebraska’s only first-round NFL draft pick in 2010.

Dennard decided to forego the draft and return for his senior season, in part to finish the work the Cornhuskers had on the field and in part to improve his draft stock.

If he is able to impress as he did last year, he might be able to one-up Amukamura in terms of draft position in 2011.

Lavonte David

Lavonte David lead Nebraska with 152 tackles in 2010.

As Nebraska converts to a more linebacker-heavy defensive scheme going into the B1G Conference, David has the chance to anchor Nebraska’s linebacker corps and make a name for himself come NFL draft time.

Taylor Martinez

No one divides opinion of Nebraska fans quite like Taylor Martinez.

His record-setting flashes of brilliance make you think he could be a Heisman trophy candidate and lead Nebraska to a national title. His turnovers and poor decision-making make you think he’s the albatross around Nebraska’s neck that will never let them be successful.

This spring, Nebraska’s coaches and players have been on a Martinez charm offensive, talking about how much he’s matured and how he’s ready to take on a leadership role. But after suffering through the Big XII title game and the monstrosity of Nebraska’s Holiday Bowl performance against Washington, Nebraska fans are wary.

Martinez has the chance in 2011, if he can consistently perform as he did at the start of 2010, to win back Nebraska fans and place himself squarely in a Heisman chase.

Jared Crick

It’s not like he doesn’t have a model to follow. After his junior year, Ndomukong Suh considered leaving school early for the NFL draft, where he likely would have been selected in the late first round. Instead, he stayed and had a season for the ages, becoming a Heisman trophy finalist and becoming the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

Most observers view Jared Crick as one of the best defensive tackles in the country. The stage is set, if he is able to have a great season, for the national attention to be focused on him and skyrocket his draft stock come next April.

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