LINCOLN — Nebraska is beginning to stockpile players at quarterback, and the improved depth likely eliminates Bronson Marsh's shot at trying to play the position.

Coach Bo Pelini directly addressed his plans for Marsh on Wednesday, saying that the former Millard South record-setter was brought to NU to play defensive back and wouldn't get any initial look at quarterback.

“I recruited him to play safety,” Pelini said.

Nebraska's roster numbers make a position change for Marsh even less likely.

The Huskers, who signed quarterback Brion Carnes in this 2010 class, now have six scholarship quarterbacks and a walk-on, Ron Kellogg, who was on the 105-man roster last August.

Jamal Turner, a highly touted dual-threat quarterback from Arlington, Texas, pledged to join the 2011 NU recruiting class.

Six players recruited for defensive line

Pelini and his staff wanted to add some bodies to their defensive line rotation, but they weren't exactly counting on signing six potential contributors for that unit.

The Huskers were actually one last-second decision away from seven defensive linemen in the 2010 recruiting class, but Owamagbe Odighizuwa chose to sign with UCLA on Wednesday.

Still, Nebraska added some depth to its defensive line after the departures of Ndamukong Suh and Barry Turner. And that was an objective, Pelini said.

“We were fortunate enough to get good players and guys that fit us,” Pelini said. “I don't know if we had six guys targeted going in or if that was the number we wanted ... but if it's a really good player that can help us win a championship, we're going to take them in the end and figure out a way.”

Three recruits come from junior colleges

Nebraska will always remain open for junior college recruiting, though Pelini said the Huskers will continue to be selective as they evaluate juco players.

The 2010 class includes three: linebacker Lavonte David, offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick and tight end Chase Harper. Hardrick joined the team last month.

“Those three young men were some guys that we thought could have an impact and provide some depth for us,” Pelini said. “We're real happy with them — not only with them as players, but the types of kids that they are and the programs they came out of and what they've been exposed to. We like that.”

Brandon Kinnie and Dejon Gomes were the only two junior college additions last year.

NU works Big Ten area

Nebraska stopped in Big Ten country for three of its 21 signees, pulling players out of Illinois, Ohio and Minnesota.

“We have a presence in a lot of different places,'' Pelini said. “We have our certain areas we're going to be in year in and year out, and other areas you have to kind of find guys that we specifically like, guys we might have a tie to, and go recruit accordingly.''

Safety Corey Cooper of Maywood is the Huskers' first recruit out of Illinois since Santino Panico in 2004. Defensive end Tobi Okuyemi of Maple Grove is the first Minnesotan on an NU list of signees since Nate Swift and Lydon Murtha in 2004.

I-back Braylon Heard comes from the same high school in Youngstown, Ohio, as 2008 signee Tim Marlowe (Cardinal Mooney).

Pelini likes haul on offense

Pelini dismissed suggestions that NU fell short with adding high-level skill position players in this class. The Huskers last season ranked No. 99 nationally in total offense, compared with No. 7 in total defense.

In fact, Pelini said, “We feel like we got a good reception offensively, too.''

The last-second addition of quarterback Brion Carnes helped. The Huskers' other skill-position signees were Heard, Harper and receivers Kenny Bell, Quincy Enunwa and Tyler Evans.

Character, toughness top Husker list

Pelini again emphasized that Nebraska will look for kids with such attributes as high character and toughness, and not be concerned with “stars” and ratings.

Sometimes they see what they are looking for by watching film. Some judgments on character come from evaluations of the player on campus or during visits to his home or school.

“We do a lot of homework,'' Pelini said. “And there are some guys that we just move past. We say, ‘He might be a good player, but he's not right for us.'”

In that regard, Pelini said NU players are usually insightful after hosting a recruit for a weekend.

“Our players are a good judge,'' he said. “I can't say who, but there were a couple guys who came in for visits and it was our players who hosted them, who were around them, who said they don't fit. If they don't want them as teammates, we darn sure don't want them.''

— Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust

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