2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Nebraska

These are the school’s prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft by status * – denotes 2014 prospect ** – denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska
Height: 5-10. Weight: 214. Hand: 9.68
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
4/24/13: Burkhead mildly sprained a ligament in his left knee against Southern Mississippi and that caused him to miss three games. He then missed four more games in the second half of the season.

Burkhead never was able to get in a real rhythm this year due to the all time out. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry over 98 rushes that he turned into 675 yards and five touchdowns. Burkhead finished the 2012 well with 140 yards on 24 carries against Georgia. He didn’t impress at the Combine.

8/16/12: Burkhead, a power back, was an All-Big Ten selection for his 2011 season. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry with 1,357 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Burkhead had a quality sophomore season in 2010 with 951 yards rushing (5.5 average) and seven touchdowns. Even though he is a downhill North-South power runner, Burkhead has some receiving skills. He has caught 49 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns in his career.

Burkhead is known as a hard worker and high-character individual who is active in community charity work. He has the potential to be a fan favorite in the NFL.

Cameron Meredith, DE, Nebraska
Height: 6-4. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
4/24/13: Meredith totaled 53 tackles, six tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2012.

8/27/12: Meredith is a strong run-defender who improved his pass-rush skills in 2011. The junior had 58 tackles with five sacks. He broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore with 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks with eight tackles for a loss. Meredith has to get to the quarterback more as a senior to move up the board.

Ben Cotton, TE, Nebraska
Height: 6-6. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round (2013): FA.
4/24/13: Cotton is a good blocking tight end who platooned with a variety of tight ends in his Cornhuskers career. The senior had 18 receptions for 239 yards this season. His biggest production came as a junior with 14 receptions for 189 yards. He didn’t participate in the Combine.

Brett Maher, K, Nebraska
Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.
Projected Round (2013): FA.
4/24/13: Maher was just okay in 2012. He was 20-of-27 with two misses against Southern Miss, one against UCLA, one against Idaho State and one against Wisconsin. Maher also served as the Cornhuskers’ punter and averaged 42 yards per punt.

9/3/12: Maher made 83 percent of his field goals in 2011 (19-of-23). He was 43-of-44 on extra points. The accurate kicker made 16-of-17 field goals from inside 50 yards. It was Maher’s first season as the starting kicker after being a backup to Alex Henery the previous three years.

Kyler Reed, TE, Nebraska
Height: 6-3. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2013): FA.
4/24/13: Reed caught 24 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns in 2012. He didn’t attend the Combine.

8/21/12: Reed had a down junior year with 14 receptions for 189 yards and zero touchdowns in 2011. Part of that can be attributed to Nebraska being a ground-based offense that can struggle to pass the ball.

A year earlier, Reed set a Nebraska record with eight touchdown receptions, the most ever from a tight end. He showed speed and play-making ability with an average of 18 yards per catch. Reed caught 22 receptions for 395 yards in 2010. The Cornhuskers’ staff will coach him well in blocking technique, and it will be on Reed to add some muscle to his frame to be a better contributor in the run game.

Baker Steinkuhler, DT/DE, Nebraska
Height: 6-6. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
Projected Round (2013): FA.
4/24/13: Steinkuhler had 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks in 2012. He was a stout defender, but not a play-maker. Steinkuhler missed the Big Ten Championship Game and Nebraska’s bowl game against Georgia. He didn’t attend the Combine.

8/25/12: Steinkuhler had 40 tackles with four tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2011. Against Washington, he started the game strong with some good plays against the run and pass rushes, but did not play as well in the second half.

Steinkuhler struggled against Wisconsin, but played better against Michigan State. He had a big game against Northwestern, but was shutout by Iowa. Steinkuhler really missed teammate Jared Crick. Steinkuhler needs to get more consistent as a senior, especially in the pass rush.

Steinkuhler – a first-year starter – registered 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2010. He is strong at the point of attack and has the frame to add more weight and bulk at the NFL level. Steinkuhler could be a better fit as a 3-4 defensive end.