Burkhead ready to be a Cornhusker

After a couple of months of self-imposed media silence so that he could focus on Plano (Texas) High's football season, Rivals250 all-purpose running back Rex Burkhead was ready to explain why he chose to commit to the University of Nebraska over his numerous other scholarship offers.

"The reason I kept quiet about recruiting was I wanted to focus on my teammates and our season," the four-star Burkhead said. "I didn't want them to feel like I wasn't focused on them."

Burkhead said he narrowed things down to a final five of NU, Stanford, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Ole Miss before announcing his final choice of the Huskers.

He even visited College Station on an official visit last weekend to be certain that what his heart was telling him was correct. In the end, it just confirmed for him that he would be playing his college ball in Lincoln (Neb.).

"It came down to a couple of things. Mostly, I felt it was the place where I felt I fit in the best, and I felt like it was the right time to make my decision.

"It was really everything about Nebraska - the student body, the coaches, the players, the academics. I can just see myself being there for the next four years."

A Husker assistant coach was the first to learn of Burkhead's decision on Monday.

"Coach (Tim) Beck came by my school yesterday and I told him I was ready to become a Cornhusker. We talked for a bit and he told me that we needed to call coach (Bo) Pelini. Coach Pelini said he was happy because he was sick and having a bad day and that made it a good day."

The NU staff has told Burkhead that they plan to utilize all of his skills in the Huskers' offensive attack.

"They just felt that I could be a back who could catch the ball out of the backfield, as well as pass-block and run the ball. I'd be an all-purpose type of back for them."

Burkhead said he put a lot of thought into his decision, and that he wouldn't be changing his mind.

"Yeah, this is for sure. I'm done."