What does the running back position look like for the Huskers? The picture is getting clearer for EJ Barthel’s position group. But the depth chart is still a long way from being decided. The program is still evaluating each of Nebraska’s running backs until the team’s first game against Cincinnati.
Nebraska’s Running Backs
Emmett Johnson
The junior running back has been touted as the starting running back throughout fall camp. However, this new role hasn’t seemed to faze Johnson. According to Sports Illustrated, it’s made him focus “on being the best version of himself.” The Minnesota native also has increased knowledge of the offense. This has led Johnson to see blocks form faster by his offensive linemen. Nebraska has a plethora of options on this side of the football. This has led right guard Rocco Spindler to be vocal about the Huskers’ chances to “be one of the best o-lines in the country.” This is a lofty goal, but Johnson should help them win the Joe Moore Award. He just has to make sure that he “hits the home run plays.” We should expect Johnson to make this step during the season. He ran for 113 yards against Wisconsin and had a 99-yard performance against Boston College.
Mekhi Nelson
On the first day of fall camp, Kwinten Ives suffered a minor injury to his lower body. This shouldn’t keep the New Jersey native out of action for long. However, if the injury lingers, Nelson will have to replace him. During the summer, Dana Holgorsen was impressed with the redshirt freshman’s maturity level. This has allowed Nelson to become the frontrunner in the early days of fall camp. He’s also increased his knowledge of the playbook. According to the Daily Nebraskan, Nelson’s assignments have been good, and he’s had no busts.” But can he get even more explosive? Nelson has made a significant jump in this area during the summer. But his speed hasn’t translated to the field. Last season, the 195-pounder only rushed for two yards against UTEP. In this case, more opportunities should equal more yards.
Isaiah Mozee
Daikiel Shorts fought tooth and nail to keep Mozee in his wide receivers’ room. However, both Matt Rhule and Holgorsen decided he would make a great running back. The former Kentucky wideouts coach was a little upset, but he knows that “he’ll be a special player wherever he is at.” At Lee’s Summit North in Missouri, Mozee finished his high school career with just over 3,000 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns. On the other hand, he also has his father with him. After a brief stint with Gus Malzahn at UCF, Mozee accepted a position as an offensive senior analyst on Matt Rhule’s staff. This should accelerate Mozee’s transformation into an elite running back. He is already halfway there. In his career with the Broncos, he had 665 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. He won’t be able to generate the same impact in the Big Ten. But if he bulks up and digests Holgorsen’s offense, he has enough talent to contribute early in Lincoln.
Nebraska freshman Isaiah Mozee moved from wide receiver to running back over the summer. Here’s a quick look at Mozee at his new position during the first practice of fall camp#Huskers @1011_News pic.twitter.com/625furNdiw
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) July 28, 2025
Conor Booth
The Wahoo-Neuman product is entering his first fall camp with the Cornhuskers. During practice sessions, he competed with fellow signee Jamarion Parker. However, Holgorsen is convinced that he’ll play a role sooner rather than later. He’s planning on getting the second, third, and fourth string running backs ready to go because “injuries may happen in the first half the first game.” There is also another reason why Husker fans should be awaiting his climb up the depth chart. And it’s all thanks to his status as a prolific rusher. Last fall, Booth rushed for a little less than 3,000 yards and had 50 touchdowns with the Cavaliers. This allowed him to shatter multiple state records while easily rushing for 100 yards. Not many of Nebraska’s running backs have that distinction heading into their freshman season.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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