Gabe Ervin on winning starting running back job: 'Did my job'

Matt Rhule named emerging sophomore Gabe Ervin as Nebraska‘s starting running back for the 2023 season. Citing his impressive size, skill and speed, the move was a no-brainer for the offensive coaching staff.

Ervin revealed how he was able to take the starting job despite facing stiff competition from his running back room.

“I just did my job,” Ervin said. “When you put the work in from day one to now, good things happen. Like I said when I first got there, try not to think so much about the RB1, but [instead] just try and do me. That can all be taken for granted. I still have to show up every day and do my job the best way that I can.”

Ervin was limited to 20 rushing attempts and 94 rushing yards as a true freshman. He started in two of the Huskers’ first four games before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. Last year’s leading rusher Anthony Grant was a one-man show last season, so adding a healthy Ervin to the mix as the team’s top RB only adds to Nebraska’s versatility in 2023.

Grant was responsible for a team-high 915-yard rushing yards in 2022, so having Ervin beat him out with that small of a sample size is a huge compliment to Ervin’s abilities. That’s not to say Grant won’t be able to carve out his own role in the Cornhusker backfield.

Rhule has even said that when the ball is in Grant’s hands, he is an elite rusher. The only downside is that he is turnover-prone.

“He’s just put the ball on the ground too much,” Rhule said. “No matter how talented you are, if you fumble the football, you can’t play for us.”

That allows Ervin to take over the bulk of Nebraska’s carries in 2023. The 6-foot, 225-pound sophomore runs a 4.4 40-yard dash that can run downhill one play and bounce it outside for a first down the next. The only thing keeping him off the field for all three downs is his struggles in the passing game, but that’s something Rhule is working on him with on a daily basis.

Nebraska kicks off the 2023 season against Minnesota on Aug. 31, and heads into the bout as the underdog as Vegas Insider has the Golden Gophers as a 7.5-point favorite at home.

After the Huskers battle on the road against the Golden Gophers in the early window of Week 1, they’ll enjoy a few extra days of rest before heading to Boulder for a date with Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Both teams made headlines throughout the offseasons regarding the fallout of their respective coaching staff changes and should be an entertaining affair.