Nebraska football running back competition is intense

Heading into the fall, the competition to be the Nebraska football starting running back was always going to be one of the interesting position battles and so far, that’s been true.

Following a closed scrimmage of about 120 plays on Saturday, Matt Rhule and others met with the media, including running backs coach EJ Barthel.

Barthel updated the running back competition and said what many already knew: Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell, and Gabe Ervin are all competing for the top three spots. There wasn’t any mention of Mekhi Nelson or Kwinten Ives.

Johnson and Ervin have both had good camps. Ervin discussed the opportunity to return to the field after injury-plagued seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“You appreciate it even more. You just think about the times you were down, and you were on crutches, and now you’re back. You’re back. And now what are you going to do with it?”

The junior from Georgia ran 38 times last season for 196 yards. But he’s never played in more than eight games in a season or had more than 38 carries, although his career average is 4.4. Last season it was 5.2.

Rahmir Johnson is also in the mix for Nebraska football

Rahmir Johnson has also been hindered by injury. He had a stellar kickoff return against Minnesota but missed most of the season and wasn’t played much due to coach’s decision. But Johnson is back in the mix and he’s more advanced in the passing game than the other backs.

That could get him on the field more because of Dylan Raiola. The Huskers need a pass protector and someone who can catch out of the backfield.

Emmett Johnson finished last season as the starter and was consistent, but Rhule on Saturday indicated that Nebraska backs need to better.

“The difference between where we were last year and where we want to be this year is that four-yard run that maybe we make a nice cut and get eight on, we need to get 80,” Rhule said. 

That didn’t happen enough last season. Dante Dowdell, a transfer from Oregon, scored on a 50-yard plus run in the spring game. Rhule said Dowdell was behind others in the spring.

It hasn’t been a perfect transition and it doesn’t feel like Dowdell will be the starter, although you never really know. The Huskers have four options in the backfield and it will be fascinating to see how it plays out and how they are all utilized.

There are also three weeks before the season starts, which is plenty of time for the depth chart to change.

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