Breaking down who will get the bulk of Nebraska’s carries

Nebraska football should be a committee at running back to start the 2024 season. The Cornhuskers enter Year 2 under coach Matt Rhule with a number of talented options in the backfield behind whoever the choice ends up being at quarterback.

Emmett Johnson rushed for 411 yards and two touchdowns this past season to lead all returning running backs, but Nebraska also gets a couple of players back from injury. Gabe Ervin Jr. and Rahmir Johnson had their seasons cut short a year ago to play only three games each, but are healthy entering this year.

Sean Callahan of Husker Online joined the Andy Staples On3 podcast recently, where he said he expects all three players to factor in early on.

“It’s gonna be a mix,” he said. “I think Emmett Johnson and Rahmir Johnson, it could be like 55-45. Gabe Ervin Jr. could still come in there as a pounder. They need Gabe Ervin Jr. to prove he’s healthy and durable. He’s had multiple injuries. He is a true bell cow, 220-pound, 230-pound-type back.

“Rahmir Johnson is a sixth-year senior that’s played a lot of football. Then Emmett Johnson kind of assumed the job last year when both those guys got hurt. So I think it’s gonna be a combination of those three where there might be 40-something carries on a good game and those guys will split those carries.”

Rahmir Johnson is back for his sixth season of college football, all of which have come at Nebraska. His best season came in 2021 when he accumulated 495 yards and four touchdowns while leading the backfield with 112 carries.

Johnson took a backseat the following season as transfer Anthony Grant, who has since graduated, led the team with 915 yards rushing.

Then there is Ervin, who came to Lincoln as a heralded recruit out of Buford (GA) High School in 2021. He has played in 15 games since after suffering injuries in both as a true freshman and this past season.

It was an unfortunate blow in 2023, as Ervin had already rushed for a career-best 196 yards and one touchdown. He’ll hope to pick up where he left off and finally realize the potential he has flashed several times throughout his career.

Nebraska is searching for its first bowl appearance since 2016, which would certainly mean a lot to Rahmir Johnson and Ervin given how long they’ve been a part of the program. The Huskers ranked second in the Big Ten with 176.8 rushing yards per game in 2023 and should again be at the top with all the talent and experience they bring.