Emmett Johnson, key cog for Nebraska late in season, enters transfer portal
There are multiple ranges of fan reaction to college football players who enter the transfer portal. In Emmett Johnson’s case, Nebraska fans might react with some degree of surprise.
At any rate, Johnson does intend to enter the transfer portal, he said Thursday.
The portal officially opens Monday.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Johnson, a sophomore, has played in every game this season with four starts — including each of the last three games. He ranks second on the team with 102 carries, amassing 523 rushing yards and 809 all-purpose yards.
A native of Minneapolis, Johnson has 35 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown — career highs in each of those categories. He is one of two Huskers with both a rushing and receiving touchdown, and his 35 receptions are the most by a Husker running back since the 2007 season.
It was a different type of Signing Day for Nebraska
Johnson plays best late in season
He played his best late in the season, when he became featured in the offense under new coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
That’s why his portal news is a bit of surprise.
In a November 23 win against Wisconsin, Johnson posted the first 100-yard rushing game of his collegiate career. He carried 16 times for 113 yards against the Badgers, the first 100-yard rushing game by a Nebraska running back in 19 games. He also caught six passes for a career-high 85 receiving yards.
Johnson made his third straight start on Black Friday at Iowa and had 71 rushing yards on 18 carries while catching six passes for 25 yards, leading Nebraska in receptions.
Johnson started at USC and led Nebraska with 55 rushing yards on 10 carries, although Holgorsen was critical of the Husker backs for missing holes. Johnson also led NU with a career-high seven receptions, including a 29-yard touchdown for his first career receiving touchdown.
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In 2023, Johnson’s importance — and playing time — increased in large part because of injuries at his position. At any rate, he started six of the final seven contests and finished the season with 90 carries for 411 yards (4.56 ypc) and two touchdowns to help Nebraska rank second in the Big Ten in rushing. He also caught seven passes for 46 yards and returned one kickoff for 15 yards.
What does Nebraska have at RB?
With both Johnson and Gabe Ervin Jr. set to enter the transfer portal, Nebraska may look to lean harder on sophomore Dante Dowdell. A seven-game starter in 2024, Dowdell leads the team with 143 carries, 614 rushing yards (4.29 ypc) and 12 rushing touchdowns. He has led Nebraska in rushing in six of 12 games. His 12 rushing touchdowns are the most by a Husker running back since the 2018 season.
He arrived at Nebraska last winter as a transfer from Oregon.
Rahmir Johnson, a senior, will play in his last game for Nebraska in the yet-to-be-determined bowl game. Johnson, a 5-10, 200-pound speedster, has played in nine games with two starts this season, missing three games due to injury. He has carried the ball 45 times for 201 yards (4.46) while adding 20 catches for 170 yards and one touchdown.
Nebraska’s running back stable also includes redshirt freshman Kwinten Ives as well as true freshman Mekhi Nelson. Incoming freshmen Jamarion Parker and Conor Booth also are prominent in the discussion.
