Taylor Martinez is a talented all-around athlete who has the ability to play on either side of the ball at Nebraska. One of six Californians in Nebraska's 2009 recruiting class, Martinez compiled huge numbers as a quarterback as a senior. The 6-1, 185-pounder also has shown outstanding ability on defense and could be a factor in the secondary. Martinez was a dual threat quarterback for Coach Matt Logan at Corona's Centennial High School as a senior. Martinez passed for better than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, and completed 61 percent of his passes. On the ground, Martinez added 750 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. His play helped Centennial to a perfect 15-0 season and a state championship, capped by a victory over De La Salle High, when Martinez threw for 243 yards. Centennial finished No. 2 nationally in the USA Today's final prep rankings. Martinez was named the Big VIII League's Most Valuable Player and also earned the Los Angeles Times' Glen Davis Player-of-the-Year Award. A first-team all-state selection, Martinez was also the Inland Division Offensive Player of the Year, was named the Max Preps California Player of the Year and the Golden States Prep Southern California Offensive Player of the Year. Martinez spent only one season at Centennial High School. As a junior, he quarterbacked San Bernadino Cajon High and accounted for about 1,500 yards of total offense. He spent his freshman and sophomore years at Norco High, where he primarily played in the secondary. Martinez was ranked among the top "athlete" prospects in the nation by Rivals.com, while Scout.com listed him among the top 50 quarterbacks. He was listed among the top 50 players in California by both Rivals.com and SuperPrep and Scout.com ranked him as the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback on the West Coast. SuperPrep also named him to its All-America team. Martinez only visited the Huskers. He is the son of Casey Martinez and Epifania Martinez and was born on Sept. 15, 1990.