Huskers Land Talented Right Hander

Nebraska head baseball coach Darin Erstad’s Major League Baseball experience is helping out majorly in recruiting. 6-foot-2, 170 lb. right-hand pitcher Derek Burkamper from Muscatine, Iowa committed to Nebraska on February 12.

Burkamper had offers from Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. The Huskers coaching staff put Nebraska in the lead, and ultimately landed them the Iowa stand outs verbal commitment.

“I visited all three schools,” Burkamper said. “I went to Nebraska twice. When I went in the fall just me, and my father went. When I went back to Lincoln in early winter, I went with my whole family. On my first visit I toured the campus, coach Erstad wasn’t there, he was at the Nebraska and  Michigan football game. On the second visit we talked to coach Erstad while he was there. After speaking to him we decided it was time to tell him I was coming there.”

After seeing all three campuses, Burkamper said it boiled down to the coaching staff in Lincoln that made Nebraska the school for him.

“The coaching staff at Nebraska is great,”  Burkamper said. “With coach Erstad playing in the majors for 12 years, and has a World Series ring.  Nebraska has been great in the past, and with coach Erstad, and coach (Ted) Sliva having so much success in their whole career every where they go, they will turn Nebraska and I know I can help with that.”

Burkamper said that his commitment is the last step in his recruiting process.

“I don’t plan on taking any visits to any other school than Nebraska,” Burkamper said. “My dad, and I are going to go to Nebraska to watch a couple games this year. I am really excited for that, but I am just done looking at schools. It’s time for me to get ready to get to college, and then get ready for the draft.”

Burkamper said he is not looking to go pro right away, but has faith in his skills.

“With coach Erstad, and coach Silva helping me there is no doubt in my mind I will be drafted,” Burkamper said. “I am just really confident in my skills, and our coaching staff. I know we are going to turn Nebraska’s program around, and get me to the next level.”

By Jimmie Allen

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