The running back position is set to be the Emmett Johnson show as he enters his junior season. The biggest question for the Nebraska tailbacks is who will be the No. 2 option?
Here’s a look at my top four running backs heading into spring practice:
Emmett Johnson
As said prior, it’s Johnson’s job to lose. The junior tailback racked up 1,009 yards on the ground for a 4.87 average during his time as a Husker. Johnson also can catch passes out of the backfield. He has 332 career receiving yards, 286 of which came from last season.
Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen utilized Johnson better than any previous offensive coordinator had. It should be enticing to see if the Minnesota native can leap to a new level with a full year of preparation with Holgorsen.
With Dylan Raiola entering his second year under center, Johnson’s potential elite presence out of the backfield could create a dynamic duo that takes the Big Ten by storm.
Kwinten Ives
One of the building blocks for head coach Matt Rhule’s first recruiting class was Kwinten Ives. The former 3-star recruit has been praised by Rhule at press conferences time after time. Ives scored his first-career touchdown in Nebraska’s 20-15 Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound sophomore could be the short-yardage back that will be needed to replace Dante Dowdell, as he transferred to Kentucky. What will be intriguing to see is if he’s ready to go. Running back coach EJ Barthel has had three years to develop Ives as he enters his redshirt sophomore season. If the Husker coaching staff was so high on Ives and he’s been developed, he should be ready for his time.
Mekhi Nelson
Redshirt freshman Mekhi Nelson is a name to watch to explode. The 6-foot, 185-pound running back reclassified this past summer to come to Lincoln a year early. The former 3-star recruit rushed for over 2,200 yards during his high school tenure. Remember, Nelson only played three years of high school football due to him reclassifying.
Nelson’s junior season was his best. The redshirt freshman had 1,670 yards on the ground for a 7.6 average, 22 touchdowns and had eight games with over 100 rushing yards. Nelson could be a young spark that could spell Johnson.
Jamarion Parker
True freshman Jamarion Parker has the chance to be an immediate impact player. The 4-star recruit rushed for more than 3,600 yards during his high school football career.
The St. Louis native was the No. 2 overall recruit in the state of Missouri and was a top 10 2025 running back on the major recruiting websites. With Holgorsen in charge, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the true freshman be in the mix.