I’m old enough to remember when Emmett Johnson was being under-utilized last season, despite much of the fanbase correctly identifying his talent and calling for him to get more reps over then–Husker running back Dante Dowdell. It wasn’t until the late-season offensive coordinator change, when Dana Holgerson took the reins, that Johnson finally got the opportunity he deserved. The result? A spark plug for Nebraska’s offense and a glimpse of what was to come.
The offseason wasn’t without drama, though. Johnson briefly entered the transfer portal, raising angst among the fan base, before ultimately pulling his name back out—almost certainly with some enticing NIL deal to help keep him in Lincoln. That decision already looks like a win-win for both player and program.
Fast forward to the 2025 opener against Cincinnati, and Johnson looked like a different player. Bigger, stronger, and clearly ready for the workload, he carried Nebraska’s offense in a way we haven’t seen from a Husker running back in years. Johnson set career highs in both rushing yards and total touches in a game, operating as a true workhorse. He ceded only two carries to other backs—Malachi Nelson and Isaiah Mozee—and was just as dangerous in the passing game, hauling in 7 receptions for 27 yards.
That kind of usage won’t be sustainable all year, especially in a physical Big Ten slate. At some point, Nelson, Mozee, Quinten Ives, or another back will need to carve out a meaningful RB2 role to keep Johnson fresh. Still, if Saturday was any indication, this offense will rely on Johnson to carry a heavy load.
After the game, head coach Matt Rhule was asked about finding another back to spell Johnson. His explanation was that it was largely game flow that kept Johnson in the game. Translation— He expects other running backs to make more contributions in the future.
Even as others rise to claim complementary touches, Johnson has already established himself as Nebraska’s RB1 and one of the offense’s cornerstones. If he keeps this up, Husker fans might be talking about him not just as the starter, but as one of the most important players in the Big Ten this season.
Go Big Red.