Honors & Awards
2009 Outlook
Redshirt freshman Ben Cotton is a key part of a talented group of Nebraska tight ends, a position that is expected to be a strength for the 2009 Husker offense. The 6-6, 250-pound Cotton has all the physical tools necessary to excel and he is expected to push for playing time behind juniors Mike McNeill and Dreu Young, who both gained extensive playing time last fall.
The son of Nebraska associate head coach Barney Cotton, Ben had a standout spring for the Huskers, capped by an impressive performance in the Red-White Game. The younger Cotton caught four passes for 48 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown reception in the contest. Cotton was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in each of his first two semesters.
2008 (Redshirt)
Cotton sat out the season as a redshirt and worked on the scout team offense.
Before Nebraska (Ames HS)
Cotton committed to the Huskers shortly after the hiring of Bo Pelini as head coach. He was the first scholarship signee from the state of Iowa since 2001. Cotton was a key performer for Ames High and Coach Bruce Vertanen each of his final three years of high school. During his senior season, Cotton caught 44 passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns to earn first-team Elite All-State honors from the Des Moines Register.
He was the Little Cyclones' only two-way starter, also lining up at defensive end. Cotton missed six games because of injury in 2006, but still had 10 receptions. Cotton first drew the attention of college coaches as a sophomore when he earned second-team all-conference honors.
Cotton was also a standout for the Ames High basketball team. He was a part of the starting lineup as a junior and senior. Cotton qualified for the state track meet in the discus and was a pitcher and center fielder for the baseball team. He earned honorable-mention all-conference honors with the baseball squad in 2008.
Cotton was ranked among the top 25 tight ends in the country by SuperPrep and Rivals.com. He was listed as the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Iowa by Rivals.com and Scout.com and among the top 25 players in the Midlands region by SuperPrep. Cotton chose Nebraska over offers from Louisville, Iowa, Kansas, Iowa State and Wisconsin.
Personal
Ben is the son of Barney and Christine Cotton and was born on June 13, 1989. He has not declared a major, but carries a 3.356 grade-point average. Cotton has volunteered his time with outreach activities at local hospitals and retirement centers. His father, Barney, played for the Huskers from 1975 to 1978.
Courtesy: Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations
