Anthony Grant aiming for more consistency out of himself this season

As Nebraska heads into the Matt Rhule era, it will do so needing to improve in a lot of areas. But running back Anthony Grant gives the Cornhuskers a really solid piece to build around.

The talented running back earned honorable mention in the Big Ten last season after rushing for 915 yards and six touchdowns.

He’s been working to hone his game all offseason, intent on taking the next step in 2023 as the Rhule era gets underway and optimism abounds with a new regime in town.

“This offseason I’ve just been really just working on my consistency,” Grant said. “Really just protecting my head, trying to just get better in the position room as a whole. Trying to just perfect my craft in any way that I can and really just working on being more consistent.”

Grant became the first Nebraska runner to have five 100-yard rushing games in a season since Devine Ozigbo in 2018.

At 5 foot 11, 200 pounds, he’s a versatile back who can continue to develop as a pass-catcher. He had 18 catches for 104 yards last season.

Importantly, Grant trusts the new coaching staff to help unlock his full potential. He’s worked closely with running backs coach EJ Barthel during fall camp to get all aspects of his game up to speed.

“I feel like the coaches, coach EJ and some of the new coaches are just, they really have my best interests at heart,” Grant said. “If you really look at it, they want me to be at my best and just really getting me to where I need to be and to the best possible ability. To where I need to be basically.”

More on Anthony Grant’s development

One thing that’s apparent to Barthel, the new running backs coach, is what a potential weapon he has on his hands in Grant.

He raved about him this offseason, though he wanted to see continued growth in all the little areas of the game like pass protection.

“AG’s a very talented back,” Barthel said. “The one thing that we’ve been working on this offseason is teaching him the blocking schemes and the run schemes. As a running back, through Pop Warner, high school, and even into some colleges, you usually rely on your athleticism.

“At this level, you can’t win every battle that way. You have to have a really good understanding of where the ball is trying to insert, what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to accomplish, and here’s where you should be using your natural God-given abilities.”

Nebraska will open its season on Aug. 31 at Minnesota.