Honors & Awards
First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American (2011, 2012)
National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Award (2012, 1 of 15)
Academic All-District VII (2011, 2012)
Academic All-Big Ten (2011, 2012)
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (1 of 11; Captain)
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (2012)
Guy Chamberlin Trophy (2012)
Honorable-Mention All-American (Sports Illustrated, 2011)
Doak Walker Semifinalist (1 of 10, 2011)
First-Team All-Big Ten (Coaches, Media, ESPN, Phil Steele, 2011)
Second-Team All-Big Ten (Yahoo.com, 2011)
Rivals.com Big Ten Player of the Week (vs. Ohio St., vs. Michigan St., 2011)
School Record Holder for Single-Game Carries (38 vs. Iowa, 2011)
Tied School Record For Most Consecutive Games with a Touchdown (10, 2011)
Nebraska Team MVP (2011)
Nebraska Team Captain (2011, 2012)
Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches, 2010)
First-Team Academic All-Big 12 (2010)
Nebraska Lifter of the Year (2010, 2011)
Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (Fall, 2009, Fall 2010, Spring 2011)
Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall, 2011, 2012; Spring, 2012)
Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2010, 2011, 2012)
Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Award (2012)
I-back Rex Burkhead wrapped up one of the most successful all-around careers in Nebraska football history in 2012. Burkhead finished his career among the top five all-time rushers in Nebraska history, while also making his mark in the classroom and the community during his time in the NU program.
The 5-11, 210-pound Burkhead was limited throughout his senior season because of a sprained knee he suffered early in the season opener against Southern Miss. Burkhead returned to action three weeks later, but twice re-aggravated the injury during Big Ten action. The injury limited Burkhead to just eight games in 2012.
Burkhead made the most of his limited action, rushing for 675 yards and five touchdowns on just 98 carries in his senior season. Burkhead averaged 6.9 yards per carry and also caught 11 passes, including two touchdown receptions. His rushing yardage pushed Burkhead's career total to 3,329 yards, good for fifth on the NU career rushing list. He also had three 100-yard rushing games, giving him 14 games with at least 100 rushing yards in his career. Burkhead closed his career in outstanding fashion, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown against Georgia, while also catching four passes including a touchdown grab.
In addition to his impact on the field, Burkhead continued to earn accolades for his work off the field. The Plano, Texas, native earned Capital One/CoSIDA first-team Academic All-America honors for the second straight season, and became the 15th Husker football student-athlete to be a two-time first-team academic All-American. He also earned his degree in history in December, completing his undergraduate work in just 3 1/2 years. Burkhead was also among an elite group of 15 FBS football student-athletes to be named a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete in 2012.
Burkhead was one of 11 FBS football players named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, and in December he was named captain of that team. Burkhead was also honored by his teammates being elected a team captain for the second straight season.
