Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
When Brion Carnes signed with Nebraska in 2010 he was thought to be a huge pick up for a struggling offense. He was the cousin of former Nebraska great, Tommie Frazier. He was a 4 star recruit by all recruiting sites around the country. He came in and caught the Nebraska fan base by surprise in the 2011 Spring Game by outperformed current starter Taylor Martinez. It really looked like he was going to make a push for playing time.
After not being able to surpass Martinez on the depth chart, Carnes decided to move to Wide Receiver. Not seeing the field at wide out has made the junior decide to try his skills elsewhere. Head Coach Bo Pelini said the Bradenton, FL native has decided to transfer. Carnes never completed a pass while in Lincoln outside the Spring Game, and really was passed by every active quarterback on the roster. Both walk-ons, Ron Kellogg III and current University of Nebraska Karney Quarterback Bronson Marsh, have taken more snaps at quarterback than the one time promising prospect.
Does that mean the 6-foot-1, 200 lb. signal caller can not go somewhere and be succesfull? Absolutly not. Carnes is still very talented and maybe slightly underused in Lincoln. It’s kind of hard to see the field when the all team leader in yards gained at the school is ahead of you on the depth chart.
Carnes was very heavily recruited by South Florida, and it’s very close to his home town. USF is looking like the top cantidate for Carnes’ services. Carnes would have to sit out a year due to NCAA rules, and he would have 1 year of eligibility left after doing so. The following season, he would more than likely be the starter for the Bulls.
In his recruiting process it came down to Nebraska and Western Kentucky, because Carnes’ former high school coach was taking the job as the head coach of the Hilltoppers. I don’t see Carnes ending up at WKU.
With former Tight Ends coach Vince Marrow going to Kentucky, there is always an open door there. Kentuky does not have a set in stone starter at quarterback, and with a new coaching staff in place Carnes could make a push to be a starter in the SEC.
Last but not least, Carnes has the option of going to a FCS school. All reports seem that all of these options are still open to the redshirt junior.
Carnes joins the list of Aaron Green, Braylon Heard, Tyler Moore, Ryan Klacho, and Chase Rome as notible 4 star prospects who have left Nebraska’s program in 2 years.
By Jimmie Allen
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