Mark Whipple details Nebraska's depth at running back

Nebraska returns its top two running backs from last season in Rahmir Johnson and Jaquez Yant. But new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple wasn’t quite ready to declare a starter when he discussed the Cornhuskers’ depth at the position.

Johnson and Yant were No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in rushing on the Nebraska roster last season. They only trailed quarterback Adrian Martinez, who transferred to Kansas State, and could be in for a big role again this season. So far, Whipple seems impressed and said he wants to make sure the players competing to start have a say in what plays they run during games.

“They’ve been good,” Whipple said. “There’s no clear-cut No. 1 guy. I think we’ve got four guys, probably five with Rahmir, that all do a little bit different things. I think you kind of figure that with game plan. What I’ve done in the past, especially for the young guys, said, ‘What’s your favorite run?’ Whoever we name the starter, get that and I’m going to say, ‘Hey, here’s [what’s] going to be your first run,’ so they know.

“If a young freshman went in the game and I was going to run the ball, he would know whether it’s a zone play … or gap scheme play or something that way. Same with the quarterbacks. If they had to go in the game, they’d know what the first play would be, situationally. They’d have some say in it. They’ve got confidence, not running something they hadn’t practiced.”

Scott Frost addresses changes in Nebraska running backs room

Earlier this week, Nebraska head coach Scott Frost pointed to the running backs as a group that has made strides in camp, saying it’ll help the offense as a whole.

“That’s a big difference, too,” Frost said of the Cornhuskers running backs. “I talk about the o-line. When you’ve got great running backs, they make o-lines look good. We’re definitely better in the running back room because of the kids in there and the coach.

“We’re throwing the ball downfield maybe a little more and that backs people up and makes things look better. You can’t point to one player or one coach or one group. I’m just pleased with the progress that I see.”