Fall camp is in full swing, and we are starting to see if the pre-season hype has been worth the wait. The one question that has been on most Husker fans minds has been where we sit at running back. It’s a toss-up in most fans’ minds between Gabe Ervin, Rhamir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell and Kwinten Ives. There are three standout running backs and one in my mind that will end the year as a surprising top running back on the team.
Our backfield is separated into two groups, the speed and the power. To say that our speed guys dont have the ability to break a tackle, or that our power guys can not break a long run is a gross misjustice. On the power side you have Gabe Ervin Jr. and Dante Dowdell. Gabe is a veteran who has suffered a hip injury early on in his career and a shoulder injury three games in this past year. Before he was injured he had rushed for almost 150 yards in those three appearances. Gabe brings veteran stability to this room and will most likely start the season as the number one running back on the depth chart. Gabes work ethic and consistency have led him to becoming a favorite of the coaches and rightfully so. The only worry about Gabe Ervin Jr. is that when pairing his injury history with his running style, a back that is not afraid of contact, Gabe is always going to leave himself open to another injury. Especially with 2 joint injuries at crucial flexion points for running backs in the hip and shoulder. If Gabe can stay healthy, i do believe we will see a large dose of number twenty-two this season.
The other “Power” back is Dante Dowdell. The recent criticism of Dowdell all stems from the 49 yard touchdown run Dowdell had in the spring game, with fans knocking him for a lack of speed. I do think that Dowdell does have a lower top end speed than all of the other backs I am going to mention, but top end speed is not a necessity for running backs in the Big Ten. The first seven yards are what matters the most and in those first seven yards, Dowdell seems to thrive. A back that does not only accept that he will get hit, but seems to crave it is a back that is not afraid to get north and south in a hurry. If the staff can further Dowdell’s ability to find the hole faster, I do believe that he will become the Huskers workhorse back in 2024. Dowdell shows that once he does see an opening, he can stick his foot in the ground and accelerate past the defensive line and linebackers. When you hear coaches repetitively telling running backs to “go get me four yards”, he is the type of back that can do that very consistently.
Emmett Johnson is young and fast. This sophomore back has fantastic vision and his open field shiftiness is outmatched. Emmett very likely could end the year with the most carries on the team. He has an overall back build and the characteristics to match. This 5’11, 200 pound back could easily end up being the unexpected standout this season. Emmett is the type of back fans will notice, with the overall acceleration and vision as if he was born to play running back Emmett is one to keep your eyes on.
Lastly, Rahmir Johnson is the one we all have seen with the speed bursts in the open field that get fans excited. Known for being a smaller back, after his injury last season Rahmir has put on some size and seemingly has kept his speed. Rahmir is great out of the backfield as a pass catcher, which is a weapon young quarterbacks love to utilize as a checkdown. Seemingly gaining size and maintaining speed, Rahmir is in the same boat as Gabe Ervin. If he can stay healthy, he will be a vital part of this offense especially in the passing game. I do not see Rahmir getting a majority of the carries this year, but i do believe that we will remember the ones that he does get.
If all backs can stay healthy we will be at least four capable backs deep this year. I do believe that it will be a Sophomore show this year for Nebraska with Dowdell and Emmett Johnson getting a lion’s share of the carries. The simplest way to put it is that both backs just stand out. Dowdell has the ability to get north and south in a hurry and may not be flashy, but when you are in such a rotation, flashy is not a necessity. Emmett will emerge as the other mainstay back. Bringing a complete set, Johnson may shock Nebraska with his talent this year leading the team in rushing. Out of all of the backs on this roster, if one is to break 1,000 yards rushing in 2024, it will be Emmett Johnson.