2009 Game by Game (updated 12-14-09)
Florida Atlantic: Recorded nine carries for 39 yards and a TD in first career game... provided stong combination with Roy Helu Jr., helping NU to 259 rushing yards... also added first career reception. Arkansas State: Posted three rushes for 18 yards and a catch for 11 yards. Virginia Tech: Did not have a carry, but posted one reception for season-high 16 yards. Louisiana-Lafayette: Carried the ball six times for 27 yards, with a long rush of 12 yards... added team-high four receptions for 26 yards... scored first receiving TD of career, turning a shovel pass into a 24-yard scoring romp... impressive on special teams with two punt returns for 59 yards, with long of 33 yards. Missouri: Came off the bench to help spark NU offense... added five rushes for 34 yards and one catch for four yards. Texas Tech: Injured - did not play. Iowa State: Injured - did not play. Baylor: Injured - did not play. Oklahoma: Injured - did not play. Kansas: Injured - did not play. Kansas State: Returned from five-game absence with injury... had six carries for 17 yards... added a reception for nine yards. Colorado: Had breakout day, carrying ball 18 times for 100 yards and a touchdown... first career 100-yard rushing game... carries and yards were career highs after entering game with 29 carries for 135 yards in first six games... fourth-quarter TD was second of career and came after pounding ball for 55 yards on that drive. Texas: Carried the ball 17 times for 22 yards, just 1.3 yards per carry against stout UT defensive front...added two catches.

2009 Outlook
Rex Burkhead is one of two talented running back prospects from the state of Texas in Nebraska's 2009 recruiting class. Burkhead was a standout performer for Plano High School and Coach Jaydon McCullough. Burkhead is one of eight players from Texas in the recruiting class, including fellow running back recruit Dontrayevous Robinson of Euless Trinity High School.

Before Nebraska (Plano High School)
Burkhead helped Plano to a 10-2 record and the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs in 2008. The 5-11, 200-pound speedster rushed for 1,762 yards and 28 touchdowns, while averaging nearly seven yards per carry. He also caught 42 passes for 594 yards and five touchdowns out of the backfield and was a threat as a kickoff and punt returner. Burkhead was honored for his efforts as a senior, being named a first-team Class 5A all-state selection by the Associated Press.

He was also named the Dallas Morning News’ All-Area Offensive Player of the Year. Recent winners of that award have included Graham Harrell, Chase Daniel and Matthew Stafford. The Morning News listed him among the top 25 prospects in the Dallas Metroplex and as one of the top 30 recruits in the state. He was also named to the Austin American Statesman’s Fab 55 List of the top players in Texas.

Burkhead’s performance as a senior was the culmination of an oustanding high school career. During his junior season, Burkhead rushed for 1,768 yards and 29 touchdowns and caught 47 passes out of the backfield. His play helped Plano to a 13-2 record and a trip to the 5A state semifinals. Burkhead was an honorable-mention 5A all-state selection for his efforts as a junior. Burkhead burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he ran for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns and also passed for more than 600 yards.

For his efforts, Burkhead was named the 2006 District 9-5A Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Burkhead is ranked among the top 250 overall prospects in the country by Rivals.com and is listed among that service’s top 10 all-purpose backs. He is also regarded as one of the top 40 prospects in Texas by Rivals.com and SuperPrep Magazine. Burkhead is also a basketball standout for Plano High School. Burkhead chose Nebraska after also visiting Texas A&M, and receiving offers from dozens of other BCS schools.

Personal
Burkhead was born on July 2, 1990, and is the son of Rick and Robyn Burkhead.

Burkhead's Career Statistics