Nebraska Cornhuskers Quarterbacks: Who Will Be The Backup For Taylor Martinez?
By John Ackeren
Jan 2, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; A pair of Nebraska Cornhuskers helmets rest on the field prior to the start of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks for the 2012 Capital One Bowl at the Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Martinez is entering his fourth year as “The Man” behind center in Lincoln. The Nebraska Cornhuskers star quarterback is a pre-season Heisman candidate, and ranked by many as the second best quarterback in The Big Ten. A lot is riding on his success in 2013.
Martinez is the starting quarterback at Nebraska, and barring something horrible happening, he will keep that title until the season is finished. There are currently seven quarterbacks on the roster including Martinez. Only three of them seem to be in the running as his backup.
1) RFr Tommy Armstrong Jr.:
The Cibolo Texas native has a fully healed knee, has speed, and a cannon for an arm. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck and head coach Bo Pelini were brilliant in giving Armstrong a redshirt last year. Expect Armstrong to get clean up duties in 2013, as he is prepped to take the helm in 2014 with two years of learning the offensive system under his belt.
2) Sr Ron Kellogg III:
Kellogg served as the teams backup last year, but I don’t see how he can remain in that spot with the athletic ability of Armstrong. He was very ineffective when he saw action, and there would be no benefit in having him hand the football off in blowout situations. The only thing that could give Kellogg the edge is the time he has spent learning the offense. While he might understand the offense and know the playbook at a higher level than Armstrong, his inability to produce should have him at number three on the depth charts.
3) Fr. Johnny Stanton:
Stanton will most likely redshirt in 2013, with Armstrong and Kellog ready if needed. Stanton has generated a lot of buzz in Husker Nation, and many expect the young quarterback to compete with Armstrong for the starting job a few years down the road. He can run and throw, but will need to learn the offense before Beck or Pelini will trust him behind center.
Other warm bodies are in place if Nebraska ever finds itself needing it’s fourth string quarterback. Tyson Broekemeier, and Evan Williams are the remaining three quarterbacks on the roster.
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