#32 Marcus Mendoza
Sr • CB • 5-10 • 190 lbs
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX |
| Previous School: | SPRING WOODS |
Draft Recap for Huskers
Bo Pelini has again coached defensive players with professional football potential into high NFL draft picks. Highlighted by defensive tackle Jared Crick and linebacker Lavonte David, the draft class also included corner Alfonzo Dennard who slipped because of off-field troubles and offensive tackle Marcel Jones who was mentioned as a …
Will the 2012 Class Live Up to 2007?
<font size="2">When it comes to recruiting, you're perpetually seeking to raise the bar on talent for your team. If the incoming class is inferior to the one you recruited 4-5 years ago, then presumably your overall talent declines. A decline in talent would presumably be evident on the field as …
Robinson Transfer Increases Depth Concerns at Running Back
Going into the 2011 season, one of the concerns for the Nebraska offense was going to be how to replace Roy Helu at running back both in terms of production and overall depth. Rex Burkhead could be penciled in as a starter but then the clear #2 among returning players …
Bo's Best Defense?
In the past two seasons, Nebraska fans have been treated to two tremendous defenses. In 2009, it was led by Ndamukong Suh and a front four that collapsed the pocket quickly, ending plays before they could begin. In 2010, it was a secondary that made completing passes seem downright futile. …
Updated Roster Provides New Information
Fans never get to know everything that people in the Athletic Department do, and that's probably a good thing. But from time to time, they tip their hand a bit and provide some new insights on the team. When Huskers.com updated their bios and roster, it gave some clues about some …
Considering Running Back Depth
Call me crazy, but these are the days I find myself thinking about who Nebraska's fourth string running back is. Seriously. I know it is June. Is there any better time to consider the obscure? What else are you gonna do, Husker fan? Frankly folks, a person can only obsess about …
Who's Fourth?
There aren't many positions on a football team where the fourth man on the depth chart sees the field. But running back is one of them. For now, it looks like the top three on the depth chart are going to be Roy Helu, Rex Burkhead, and Dontrayevous Robinson. Lester Ward …
Who'll Play Early?
One of the first questions people tend to ask about a new recruiting class, is which players will play next year? We know most players under Pelini redshirt. That's why we shouldn't expect to see the true freshmen offensive linemen. You'd say the same about the defensive linemen except that two …
What Does Losing Castille Mean?
The announcement that Quentin Castille was dismissed from the team was not welcome news. He might have been one of the ten to fifteen players you’d least want to lose for 2009. But how much of the enthusiasm over Castille for this season was based on the Clemson game and how …
Castille dismissed from the team
After some speculation regarding Quentin Castille's recent absences from practice over the last two days, Bo Pelini announced today that Castille has been dismissed from the team. At this point no further explanation has been given and I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for one. That's not the Pelini m.o. Rumors …
Winging It: Will Slot Runners Be Back En Vogue at NU?
Next season, Nebraska's offense is likely to adapt and change based on its personnel. A good stable of running backs, a more athletic quarterback in Zac Lee and less experience at wide receiver makes an emphasis on the run game more likely. The use of more read option from the shotgun …
Absent Key Players, Opportunity Knocks for Backups
It's a good thing that most Nebraska football fans appreciate watching the running game or quality play along the line of scrimmage. The absence of some important skill position players will likely change the complexion of Saturday's Red-White Spring Game. Fans are even more likely to see a defensive contest, I …
WANTED: A Few Home Run Threats
How long has it been since Nebraska has had a true home run hitter? I'm talking a Percy Harvin/Johnny Rodgers type of player who was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. An absolute, unquestionable, game-changing threat that opposing teams had to account for at all times. The …
Spring Buzz Is In The Air
This past Wednesday was the first day of spring practice. Dominating the news of the week were the position changes all around the field. Beyond that, the coaches were high on talking about improved players on the defensive side of the ball. After Bo Pelini's concern about the level of effort …
What to Make of Mendoza
Among the big stories in the opening days of Spring practice has been the move of Marcus Mendoza from running back to wide receiver. For many fans, this was a welcome change. If you hadn't already thought of it yourself, it's likely you'd heard it suggested before. Quite simply, he's a …
Spring Sleepers
The sun is shining more. Green grass is starting to be visible among the brown. That can only mean football, right? Okay, maybe that is a stretch. But signs of Spring are also signs of Spring practice. Spring is a time for renewal, rebirth and the unexpected. Some players on the …
Sunday Morning Observations from the KSU Game
Here are a few observations from yesterday's Husker win over Kansas State. These coffee-fueled musing are kind of all over the map, but are by no means all inclusive. So feel free to offer your own thoughts in the comments if you like.
Ganz Leads Huskers Past Wildcats
Three years ago, one was a hotly-recruited prospect and the other was a plan B after thought. Recruiting hype gave way to game day reality Saturday as once overlooked Joe Ganz accounted for 365 yards and 4 touchdowns while much ballyhooed and possibly NFL-bound Josh Freeman was out of the game …
Trick AND Treat
David Copperfield. Houdini. Bo Pelini? On paper, the Huskers are probably outmatched and still a couple of years away from being on the same level as #4 ranked Oklahoma. But in a game that is often broken down into three segments, it may be an addition of a fourth segment that …
The Big Picture: Nebraska vs New Mexico State
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2008/09/husker-line-photo.jpg Want to see what Ganz sees when he's running the option? Ever wonder what Murtha's painted face looks like when you're lined up across from him in a 3-point stance? Do you enjoy the look of fear on the face of a quarterback just before a Blackshirt sack? If you …
Huskers Becoming Recognizable (And Other Thoughts)
In beating New Mexico State 38-7, the Huskers started to round in to shape. The NU squad that played Saturday night is much more along the lines of what fans had in mind as the season began. The Huskers are starting to become recognizable...to themselves, fans, and maybe even national opinion …
Big 12 Spring Football Roundtable
Matt over at the Crimson and Cream Machine has reconvened the Big 12 roundtable to put a bow on spring football for the conference. Our answers to his questions include emerging players, our concerns, and some waaaaaay too early predictions.
Position Breakdowns: I-Backs
Now that we have about as much information as we can expect to get between now and fall practices about the depth chart, we'll examine each position to identify the likely starters and other key contributors.
Spring Thinking
Sunny weather, a new coach and a great crowd made for a fun day in at the Red-White Spring game in Lincoln. Here are my reactions from the sold-out scrimmage.
Wanted: Offensive Recruits
You'd have to think that the hiring of Bo Pelini will give the Huskers an excellent chance to retain the defensive recruits that have committed to Nebraska or to replace them with other players. The Huskers also appear likely to meet their needs on the offensive line and at tight end. …
Lucky's Last Day?
For the Husker Seniors, the game at Colorado could be their last. The same could be said of the coaching staff. But for one junior, it could also be the last time we see him play. While Marlon Lucky perhaps hasn't lived up to the huge expectations fans had of the …
Initial Depth Chart Packed with Surprises
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/08/pete.jpgOn first look at the long awaited depth chart you say, “Where's the tight end?â€? In fact, when a position up and disappears you wonder what effect that might have on the Husker Nation. You're reminded of Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters, “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!â€? …
Culbert Will be Major Contributor to the Running Game
A couple of news items this week from fall camp have made it clear that counting on Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn to stay healthy for 12 to 14 games is no slam dunk. While Glenn is said to be performing well, he's also still suffering lingering effects of the foot …
Keep ‘Em Coming
You can never have too many friends and in college football you can never have too many running backs. No position takes quite as much punishment. Sure defenses tee off on quarterbacks and make some crushing blindside hits. But except for a few runs out of bounds or a breakaway touchdown, …
Upon Further Review, Part 1
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/05/a-replay_63792.jpg Big Red Network owner Jason Siffring surprised me with a DVD of recruiting videos of the class of 2007. In many ways we've hashed through the class already, but I couldn't help forming new impressions when I saw the video firsthand. Rather then do a complete data dump of all …
The Return of Competition
Whether it is in free markets or football, there is an almost universal truth that competition makes things better. On the gridiron, competition in practice is born only from roster depth. And with competition comes improvement. With improvement, wins likely follow. Only wins can lead to championships. This is the first …
Wilson's Injury May Work Out Well
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/03/406053.jpg Kenny Wilson had to be disappointed, if not heartbroken, when he broke his femur last week. Already working to overcome a previous injury, the broken bone will now cause him to miss all of the 2007 season. With only one year of playing eligibility remaining, the injury will in all …
Spring Offers Limited Preview of Special Teams
While Marcus Mendoza may emerge in 2007 as a force on special teams, many of his compatriots on those units have yet to arrive on campus.
Position Switches For Spring Football
Spring football is the right time to develop players, and also to tinker with the units of a teams offense and defense. The goal is to find the right combination of players or foster the most competition possible for a spot. The strength of Nebraska's defense could very well be its …
Marcus Mendoza Top Candidate To Be Impact Freshman
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/03/mmendozaart.jpg If there's one area that's consistently underachieved in the Callahan era, it's been the return game. From Santino "at least I can catch it" Panico to Cortney "God, I'm tired" Grixby, there's been little excitement in the return game. This is where Mendoza comes in. Mendoza's got the speed that …
Keller To Follow Past Transfers at Quarterback
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/03/snipshot_d41bdvqj8bxs.jpg With less than two weeks remaining until Spring football begins, it's obvious that all eyes will be on Sam Keller, the quarterback transfer from Arizona State a year ago. The Huskers have had a good history of success with transfers at quarterback. Zac Taylor, the Big 12 offensive player of …
My Perspective on Marlon Lucky
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2007/02/lucky.jpg This week I've gotten a lot of requests via e-mail and voice mail asking my take about the Marlon Lucky health situation. I've even had a few people anxious to see a post about it. I can't speak for Steve, Jason, Renny or any other BRN posters. But, for me …
Big Needs Addressed With Class of 2007
Now that all precincts have reported on the class of 2007, we can finally talk about what Nebraska has "in house". Sure, there are bound to be dropouts between now and the start of fall practices due to academics, injuries, and guys who just up and quit. But we now know …
Early Arrivals Shore Up Positions of Need
How nice it must have been for the Nebraska football coaches not to have to sweat out some key spots on the roster until national signing day in early February. A four-star safety in Larry Asante, a four-star cornerback in Armando Murillo, a four-star quarterback in Zac Lee, and a three-star …
Team of the (Next) Decade?
As happy as I am about the direction of the Nebraska football program, we have to face facts. This just hasn't been our decade. In the 1970's the Husker's had the third most wins of any team and two national championships. Only Oklahoma and Alabama had more wins and nobody won …
The Hits Just Keep On Coming
Today is another big day for NU recruiting, particularly when it comes to junior college players. Today's the first day JC players can sign letters of intent. So, that has spurred decisions from two more top-notch players to choose NU - both at "need" positions for next year. Four-star safety prospect …
Castille No Longer Fully Committed to Nebraska
Rivals #2 ranked fullback Quentin Castille who gave an oral commitment to Nebraska back in early September is now listed as a “soft verbal� by Rivals and only as “high� on Nebraska after a recent visit to Louisville.
Marcus Mendoza Commits to Nebraska
http://bigrednetwork.com/archives/images/2006/11/marcusmendoza.JPG Four-star running back prospect Marcus Mendoza from Houston, Texas committed to the Huskers Monday night. At 5'10" and 175 lbs, he doesn't have the size of a goal-line back but he appears to be an "all-purpose" back meaning he can be a factor in the passing game and return game, …
KU Game Big Recruiting Weekend for Huskers
The Huskers will be hosting several recruits this weekend, according to Scout.com and the Lincoln Journal-Star. It's a particularly important group because it addresses some of the Huskers biggest needs for the class of 2007.
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- Three-Time Big 12 Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll (2007, 2008, 2009)
- Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2009, 2010)