Honors & Awards: Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Fall 2008)

2009 Outlook: Cory Burleson is one of a pair of newcomers looking to earn time behind the plate this season • Switch-hitter earned second-team all-state laurels in Texas last season, hitting .402 with five homers and 22 RBIs to help his team to a regional finals appearance • Brings good athleticism behind the plate and possesses strong leadership qualities and work habits • Caught for 2007 first-round pick Chris Withrow in high school and that experience has helped him make the transition to college pitchers • Got off to a slow start in the fall after off-season surgery, but was near 100 percent by the end of fall drills and earned the trust of the coaches with his ability to handle the pitching staff • Will challenge Cody Neer for playing time and has the tools to develop into the Huskers’ everyday catcher in the future.

Midland Christian High School: Collected second-team all-state honors as a senior, hitting .402 with five homers, 22 RBIs, a .728 on-base percentage and a .988 fielding percentage in helping his team to a state regional finals appearance in 2008 • Enjoyed his best game against Kerryville Tivy, going 3-for-3 with a homer, two doubles, a walk and three RBIs • Received all-state honors for the first time as a junior, hitting .396 with a .550 on-base percentage to lead his team to a state semifinals appearance • Started all four years behind the plate, earning all-district honors each season • Selected to the National Honor Society and carried better than a 4.0 GPA during his high school career.

Personal: Born on Feb. 4, 1990, in Odessa, Texas • Parents are Gayle and Jerry Burleson • Has one brother (Bryant) • Majors in math and secondary education