The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ running back situation presents both promise and uncertainty heading into the 2025 season. Under recently extended running backs coach E.J. Barthel, who received a rather large contract extension through the Huskers, continue their search for consistent production from the backfield. Barthel’s retention, despite reported interest from programs like Texas and Penn State, signals head coach Matt Rhule’s confidence in his ability to develop the position group. The extension, which helps finalize Rhule’s coaching staff for the 2025 season, demonstrates the program’s commitment to stability in the running backs room.
Emmett Johnson leads the returning group, showing flashes of potential throughout last season. While he hasn’t fully claimed the definitive starting role, his experience in the system and familiarity with Coach Barthel’s expectations give him an early edge heading into spring practice.
Conor Booth, who joined the program recently, adds another dimension to the competition. His addition to the room suggests Coach Barthel is looking to create more competition and depth at the position. In that addition to depth you could see guys like Kwinten Ives, a dark horse in Nebraska native Rowdy Bauer and the most intriguing addition is freshman Jamarion Parker.
Parker has the ability to bounce it outside of the tackles and be a homerun hitter for Nebraska much like Rhamir Johnson was early in his career. Parker comes into a running back room that is the weakest room depth wise on the huskers roster. That being said it gives guys the ability to step up and leave their mark on the newly re-designed Tom Osborne field.
Emmett Johnson never got the chance to be a workhorse in 2024 and started to come on late in the year. With Johnson finally getting his well deserved amount of carries we do have to keep in mind that this is the Big 10 and having one back to take on 80% of the carries will end in disaster. If one of the backs mentioned above can step up and claim their role as a number 2 in the running back rotation then our ground game will suffice, but until then I am worried that without a ground game there will be too much pressure put on the passing game to have a truly successful season.