When it comes to the Nebraska football running backs room, it's Emmett Johnson and then everyone else. That's not a real surprise. With the departure of Dante Dowdell in the transfer portal, Johnson is the only back who had many carries in 2024. Running backs coach EJ Barthel is trying to shape the rest of the room into a crew that can get serious playing time in 2025, but so far, it's still very much a work in progress.
That was demonstrated during Tuesday's practice when the unit went through several drills. It was also shown because while Johnson also went through the drills, the focus was on guys like Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, and to some degree, Kwinten Ives (who is nursing a hamstring injury).