Kevin Hageland - Plano Star - December 16, 2008

PLANO - Leave it to Plano Senior to take the spotlight away from Allen.

In a week in which the Eagles are preparing for the Class 5A State Championship Game, the Wildcats grabbed the headlines Monday night and into Tuesday as the Metroplex and recruiting message boards across the country were abuzz with word that senior Rex Burkhead has verbally committed to Nebraska.

“It has definitely been an exciting day,” Burkhead said.

Although oral commitments are non-binding and football recruits can’t sign a National Letter of Intent until Feb. 4, many were anxiously awaiting where the running back/safety/quarterback/punter/ kick returner dubbed Superman would commit.

“I’m excited about Rex’s decision and it’s something I support him on 100 percent,” said Jaydon McCullough, Plano head coach and cluster athletic coordinator. “I know Rex thought and prayed about this decision for a long time and I think he is very content with the choice he has made. And to tell you the truth, I think he is also relieved to have it over with.”

While speculation about Burkhead’s college future has increased over the last year, the senior first came to prominence in the community when he set the Plano ISD middle school touchdown record while playing at Schimelpfenig Middle School.

Burkhead, who was also a part of the Wildcats Class 5A State Championship basketball team as a freshman, was the first freshman in 40 years to play significant time on the Plano varsity football team.

Since that 2005-06 season, Burkhead has amassed more 6,500 total yards from scrimmage and been an intricate part to Plano teams that went a combined 40-11. That game total, which includes trips to the state quarterfinals in 2005 and semifinals in 2007, is more than any other player in the 100+ year history of the program.

“I really can’t explain what it means to see your players get the opportunity to play college football,” McCullough said. “Especially someone like Rex, who has done so much for our program going back to 2005.”

In his senior campaign alone, Burkhead had 1,762 on the ground and 594 yards receiving to go along with 33 touchdowns. Those types of numbers, which he also posted as a junior, got Burkhead offers from several top Division I programs, including Auburn, California, Louisville, Michigan, Ole Miss, Stanford, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.

The last four, along with Nebraska, were Burkhead’s final choices.

“I called all the coaches [from the final schools] before I made my commitment,” Burkhead said. “I wanted to make sure they didn’t hear about it from someone else or read it on the Internet.”

Ironically, Burkhead’s decision to play in Lincoln means he will be paired will fellow incoming freshman Dontrayevous Robinson, whose Euless Trinity squad brought Burkhead’s high school football career to a close in the area round of the playoffs less than four weeks ago.

Burkhead appeared as though he might be headed to Aggieland after making an official visit to A&M last weekend, but the Wildcat chose the Huskers on Monday night. Burkhead had made three visits up to Nebraska.

Nebraska running backs coach Tim Beck visited Plano Monday and Cornhuskers defensive line coach John Papuchis, dubbed the closer for the deal, went to the Burkhead’s home that night. After Papuchis’ visit, Burkhead made his commitment and then called Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini with word that he would be joining the Cornhuskers.

“I am excited about the team of course, but Nebraska is also the place I think I will be most comfortable for the next four years,” Burkhead said. “It wasn’t only about football; Nebraska also has good academics and I just really liked the overall program.”

Although many scouts project Burkhead as a safety or even a wide receiver, Burkhead was recruited by Nebraska and his other final schools primarily to play running back.

“It’s always nice when you can make these types of opportunities available to the players,” McCullough said. “I like being a part of that, especially when it is for a player that has meant so much to this community.”

Though he had committed less than 24 hours earlier, Burkhead’s presence has already bumped Nebraska’s recruiting class up to a tie for No. 19 in the nation according to Scouts.com.

Though Burkhead is now playing for Plano’s basketball team, he said the end of the recruiting process will give him more down time to go to the movies, hang out with his friends and do normal kid stuff.