Reilly brings playmaking ability to NU as a walk-on

Brandon Reilly was named a first-team defensive back on the Lincoln Journal Star's Super-State team after helping lead Lincoln Southwest to a 9-2 record and the second round of the Class A state playoffs.

Last season, Reilly totaled 59 tackles and three interceptions on defense, 18 receptions for 339 yards on offense, and he had 10 punt returns for 259 yards and 12 kickoff returns for 380 yards on special teams.

Of his nine touchdowns as a senior, eight were for at least 50 yards: two receiving, three rushing, one pick-six, two by punt return, and one by kickoff return.

Now, he has decided to play his college ball at the University of Nebraska.

"Yep, that's correct," Reilly confirmed to HuskerOnline.com about his decision to accept a preferred walk-on invitation from the Husker staff.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Reilly attended the in-state recruit meeting in Lincoln on Sunday and that's when the game the NU coaches the good news.

"I spoke with Barney Cotton because Rich Fisher, the receivers coach, was gone. It went really good and they said I could probably play either offense or defense, but I prefer offense and I think they kind of agreed with me there.

"They told me I could play wide receiver and I have decided that that's what I'm going to do."

Reilly also considered UNK, South Dakota and Southeast Missouri State before choosing to become a Cornhusker, and he believes that he will eventually make his mark on the team.

"I'm very confident in my hands. I mean, I feel that I won't drop many passes. And I just feel like I made a lot of explosive plays this year, and made a lot of big plays out of nothing. I think that's what they like in me.

"At 6-2 I'd be a taller receiver, and with their strength and conditioning program, I would be able to put on weight faster. So I feel that I have a lot of potential."

Southwest head coach Mark King backed up Reilly's personal evaluation with this recent high praise for his player: "He's super explosive."