Burkhead put together one of the top rushing seasons in Nebraska history in 2011. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after carrying a heavy workload for the Nebraska rushing attack. Burkhead amassed 1,357 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns as a junior. His 104.4 rushing yards per game ranked third in the Big Ten and 19th nationally. Burkhead reached the end zone in each of the season’s first 10 games and 11 of 13 contests overall, while his 7.9 points per game placed him second in the conference.

Burkhead finished his junior season with seven 100-yard rushing games, including five in Big Ten Conference play. One of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, Burkhead’s 1,357 rushing yards were the seventh most in a season in NU history, the most by a Husker since 2002 and the most by a Nebraska running back since 1997. Burkhead carried the ball at least 20 times in eight games in 2011, including six of eight Big Ten games. In the regular-season finale against Iowa, Burkhead had a Nebraska record 38 rushing attempts for 160 yards. He also racked up 35 carries in a win over Michigan State and had a career-high 170 rushing yards at Wyoming. Burkhead’s 284 carries in 2011 were just two shy of the season record of 286 by Lawrence Phillips in 1994. Burkhead also showed his receiving ability with 21 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

In his sophomore campaign, Burkhead played in all 14 games with two starts and earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors, as he finished with 951 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Burkhead’s role increased in the final six games. At Iowa State, Burkhead took a number of snaps out of the Wildcat and rushed 20 times for a season-high 129 yards and two touchdowns. He capped his effort with a 19-yard touchdown in overtime as NU escaped with a 31-30 win. Against Colorado, Burkhead did it all. He ran for 101 yards on 19 carries and completed two passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns–a 26-yarder to Brandon Kinnie and a 4-yard TD to Kyler Reed. Burkhead also rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries and had a touchdown pass against Oklahoma in the 2010 Big 12 Championship Game.

Burkhead was one of six true freshmen to see action, and he finished as NU’s second-leading rusher with 346 yards and three touchdowns, despite playing in just nine games. Burkhead rushed 18 times for 100 yards and a touchdown vs. Colorado. His touchdown came in the fourth quarter, capping a drive that saw him rush nine times for 55 yards. In the Holiday Bowl, Burkhead had 17 carries for 89 yards and scored a touchdown.

Before Nebraska, Burkhead was a standout performer for Plano High School. He helped Plano to a 10-2 record and the Class 5A state playoffs in 2008, rushing for 1,762 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also caught 42 passes for 594 yards and five touchdowns. During his junior season, Burkhead rushed for 1,768 yards and 29 touchdowns and caught 47 passes. His play helped Plano to a 13-2 record and a trip to the 5A state semifinals. Burkhead also ran for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns and passed for more than 600 yards as a sophomore.

Rex was born on July 2, 1990, and is the son of Rick and Robyn Burkhead. He is majoring in secondary education-social science. Burkhead was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2011. He was also a first-team academic All-Big 12 pick in 2010 and was a three-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll pick. Burkhead is also one of Nebraska’s most active student-athletes in the community. He is a three-time member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team and was selected one of Nebraska’s Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award winners in 2012. He was also chosen as one of Uplifting Athletes Champions of 2011-12, for helping to put a national focus on helping children with rare diseases. His outreach work has included team hospital visits, the Madonna Wheelchair Football Workshop, the FCA and the Irving Rec Center.

READ MORE on Huskers.com.

Rex Burkhead, Nebraska’s first-team All-Big Ten running back, was named the 2012 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion in February for inspiring a young fan battling a rare brain cancer. Following a record 76,000 online votes, the announcement was made via an international webcast during a special event held in Bethesda, Md., at the National Institutes of Health’s annual Rare Disease Day.

“Rex is a shining example of a college football player who realizes the position he’s in to make a difference,” said Uplifting Athletes founder and Executive Director Scott Shirley, who made the announcement in Maryland. “The friendship he’s forged with Jack Hoffman (a 6-year-old kindergarten student in Atkinson, Neb.) has inspired Jack and his family with hope. Rex has also brought much needed attention to a rare disease cause, so it’s fitting to recognize him with this honor and to place his name alongside our former winners.”

Jack Hoffman meets Rex Burkhead and waits as his favorite Husker signs his jersey.

Burkhead didn’t realize lunch with a stranger in September this past year would change his life.  It was then that he met Little Jack, who had been diagnosed with a rare pediatric brain tumor called a low grade glioma; Jack’s ultimate dream was to meet Burkhead. 

“I couldn’t believe how positive he was,” Burkhead said. “He didn’t feel sorry for himself, whatsoever.”

Andy Hoffman, Jack’s father, says Rex took an interest in Jack and almost instantly they became buddies. For that day, there was not a care in the world for Jack, who would later see Rex and his teammates wear wristbands in honor of Jack. 

Rex has followed up with Jack numerous times on the phone and in person, even calling Jack days before a second scheduled surgery in Boston.  It has meant the world to Jack, knowing that Rex cares so much.  The Hoffmans are confident that Rex is making a difference in their son’s life.  Although the road ahead is long, they say doctors believe the prognosis is favorable.

Rex Burkhead visiting patients at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln, Neb.

 As the Newest Member of Team Jack, Rex Burkhead Sells Out

by Randy York

Last Saturday night, as his carries and yards piled up inside a stadium with the highest elevation in all of college football, a little voice whispered to Rex Burkhead and reminded him how physically drained he was. “In that altitude up there in Laramie, it’s tough to breath,” Burkhead said before acknowledging he had the perfect antidote to any thoughts of letting up.

Even when you’re having the greatest game of your college career at Wyoming – 170 yards rushing on only 15 carries and touchdown runs of 45 and 16 yards – “You definitely have to collect and prepare yourself to keep going out there and sell out every play, and I definitely had a focal point that worked for me,” Burkhead said pointing to a red rubber bracelet that says simply: Team Jack – Pray.

(Read More)

“Burkhead is a folk hero in the Cornhusker State, by far Nebraska’s most popular player. The senior running back has won over the Husker faithful with his production, versatility, durability, humility and success both on and off the field. No one in Big Red country needs to be convinced that Burkhead is among college football’s best players.” (Read More) – Adam Rittenberg (ESPN.com)

“Anyone who is going to be considered a legend must be more than just a great football player. He has to be the face of a program, making his coaches, teammates and fans proud both on and off the field. Burkhead is, by all indications, exactly that type of player.” (Read More) – Kraig Lundberg (bleacherreport.com)

“Simply put, certain guys were put on Earth to be a running back. They have a feel, a knack for the position. Davis and Rozier had it, as did several other Husker greats. No question, Rex has it.” (Read More) – Steve Sipple (Lincoln Journal Star)

“If the Cornhuskers can win the Big Ten and Burkhead can lead the charge offensively as he did last year, then he can be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman. So what should his campaign look like? Our suggestion: “Vote for Superman.” That’s a nickname for Burkhead, though he’s much too humble to publicly embrace it. And he’s a pretty super off the field as well, as he won a national award for his work with a young fan battling brain cancer. Burkhead has the perfect image for a Heisman golden boy; all he needs is a few more signature plays.” (Read More) – Brian Bennett (ESPN.com)

“Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead doesn’t have to touch another football to know he has made a difference.” (Read More) – Dave Carey (CBSSports.com)

“Burkhead is everything you want from a player on the field, and the most prominent member of “Team Jack” is an even better human being off the field.” (Read More) – Patrick Runge (bleacherreport.com)

“He did it all for Nebraska in 2011, rushing for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns and adding 21 receptions for 177 yards and two scores. Burkhead showed he could handle a featured back’s carries load — and then some. He’s one of the hardest-working, most likable players in college football and deserves to get more national attention.” (Read More) – Adam Rittenberg (ESPN.com)

“While the dual-threat Martinez produced the bulk of the highlight material, Burkhead served as the fuel behind the Huskers’ attack. The rising senior will reprise that role this fall as the most important offensive player on Nebraska’s roster — and as a true Heisman contender.” (Read More) – Zac Ellis (SI.com)

“Despite being the team’s best player, Burkhead has one of the most humbling attitudes you’ll find across the college football landscape and has always showed himself to be a team-first guy. His “lead by example” approach seems to be rubbing off on his teammates as well.” (Read More) – Kraig Lundberg (bleacherreport.com)

“He’s the most valuable offensive weapon at Nebraska since quarterback Eric Crouch did it all in 2001 while winning the Heisman.” (Read More) – Lee Barfknecht (Omaha World Herald Staff Writer)

From the Team

“The things he does in our community, the type of leader he is, the type of example he sets on a daily basis, what he’s accomplished in the classroom, I wouldn’t trade him for another player in the country.” (Read More) – Head Coach Bo Pelini

“Even though we know what he can do, it still surprises you and amazes you, watching him in practice, what he can do. Heck, he runs the Wildcat, he takes handoffs, he catches passes, throws it. Rex is a special guy.” (Read More) – Linebacker Will Compton

“He works his butt off, and he studies the game. He has that durability and mental toughness, in terms of being a guy you can count on.” (Read More) – Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck

“He’s a tremendous athlete. It’s ridiculous, really. He has almost a 40-inch vertical leap. I don’t think people realize how explosive this guy is.” (Read More) – Head Coach Bo Pelini