Emmett Johnson is officially off to the NFL.
The Nebraska running back posted the news to social media on Friday. Johnson thanked his family, teammates, coaches, and more before closing with, “After much prayer and reflection, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Thank you, Nebraska.”
And with that, one of the major offseason questions for the Huskers has been answered. JohnsonS meteoric rise this season finished with him as the top running back in the Big Ten Conference and just missing being a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.
Nebraska Football: A Look at the Running Back Room Heading into Spring
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers are looking to establish a consistent running game in 2024, and a lot of eyes will be on the running back room this spring. After a disappointing 2023 season where the team struggled to consistently move the ball on the ground,head coach Matt Rhule and his staff will be looking for players to step up and take control of the position.
Leading the charge is sophomore standout, Billy Johnson, who emerged as the team’s primary ball carrier last season. Johnson finished the year with 823 rushing yards and five touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a true workhorse back. However, the Huskers will be looking for others to contribute and take some of the load off of Johnson.
One player to watch is freshman Kalen Singleton. Singleton arrived in Lincoln with a lot of hype, and while he didn’t get a ton of carries in 2023, he showed flashes of brilliance. He was poised to compete for playing time in the Pinstripe Bowl. But an injury in camp before the season knocked him down the depth chart. Ultimately, he played in seven games and was the only player other than Johnson to have more than 100 yards this season, finishing with 119 yards on 16 carries.
Mozee saw more work in the slot at times due to depth, finishing with 19 receptions for 83 yards. On the ground, he carried the ball 19 times for 83 yards.
Backup quarterback TJ Lateef, who started the final three games of the season, had more rushing yards (98) than Mozzee or Nelson.Looking down the rest of the roster, there are other options that could see offseason developments into useful pieces next season.
Janiran Bonner is a former fullback who entered the season as a wide receiver with gadget potential. His season ended with an injury in the season opener against Cincinnati.
Freshman Conor Booth played in just three games,carrying the ball a trio of times for six yards. He ran for more than 6,000 yards and 100 touchdowns in high school.
Kenneth Williams showed explosiveness in the return game, earning a scholarship after his touchdown return against Northwestern.He would earn All-Big Ten honors as a return man. As a running back, he had five carries for 22 yards, adding one reception for 20 yards; all of that work came in blowouts against Akron and Houston Christian.
Nebraska’s Running Back Depth: A Cause for Concern After Johnson’s Success
Jamarion Parker was another name to perhaps be in the running for a spot behind Johnson. Ultimately, the true freshman out of St.Louis dealt with lingering injury issues that kept him from seeing the field all season.
Even though Johnson took a major step from 2024 to 2025 with what he was able to produce, none of the above players spark confidence in replacing the Big Ten’s Running Back of the Year. In fact, Johnson finished just 16 yards short of being the Huskers’ leading running back last season before making the jump this year.
Nebraska Needs to Nail the Running Back Position in 2025
Nebraska football has built a solid foundation under Matt Rhule, and the recent financial commitment to the program signals a willingness to invest in talent. Now, it’s time to capitalize on that momentum, and a key area of focus should be the running back position.
While the current group – Ives, Nelson, Parker, Mozee, and others – may develop, none have demonstrated the potential to become a true difference-maker. They haven’t shown anything on tape to inspire confidence. This isn’t about dismissing their potential, but acknowledging the need for a high-impact addition.
The emergence of Billy Johnson this fall proved Nebraska can be effective on the ground. Despite criticism of the offensive line, Johnson consistently found room to operate and make defenders miss. This success came without the benefit of an All-Big Ten offensive lineman,highlighting johnson’s individual talent and the scheme’s potential.
As Nebraska enters year four of the Rhule era and year two with dana Holgorsen’s offense, the need for a versatile, “do-it-all” running back is paramount. This player needs to be capable of maximizing limited opportunities in the running game and contributing as a receiving threat. The existing running backs then need to elevate their game to provide valuable support behind that primary option.
Nebraska can’t afford to miss this opportunity to bolster the running back room with a truly talented player. It’s a crucial step in taking the program to the next level.
Nebraska Football: emmett Johnson Enters Transfer Portal,creating Immediate Need at Running Back
The nebraska Cornhuskers are facing a crucial need at running back as Emmett Johnson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. This departure comes at a critical time for head coach Matt Rhule, who has emphasized his commitment to aggressively utilizing the transfer portal to bolster the team’s roster.
the transfer portal window opens on January 2nd and closes on January 15th. Unlike previous years, the financial resources are now available to Rhule to actively pursue impactful players. He has publicly stated his desire to be a important player in this transfer cycle,and Johnson’s decision underscores the urgency of finding a seasoned replacement.
Beyond finding a new ball carrier, the question of who will be handing the ball off next season remains unanswered.