EJ Barthel on Nebraska’s crowded, eclectic running backs room

Over the past six months, Johnson has emerged as the leader of the running backs room, position coach EJ Barthel told the Huskers Radio Network Tuesday. Johnson returns from his injury with a clear understanding of his job and his role within an eclectic and crowded position group.

“I think he trusts what we see in him and what we’re telling him, so I don’t think it’s too hard a decision for him to make,” Barthel said. “I think he knew, hey, these guys told me they needed me to do something, and I’m going to stick with it.”

The collective outlook for Nebraska’s running backs is unclear. Gabe Ervin Jr., another veteran, missed most of last year with a hip injury. In his place and Johnson’s, Emmett Johnson has emerged as a reliable option in the backfield.

The redshirt freshman was a secondary consideration entering the season, a depth piece in the backfield and an option on special teams after playing four games as a true freshman. Forced into action, he rushed for 411 yards and two touchdowns while starting six of the final seven games.

“This year, he’s not going to be a young guard who can say, ‘Oh, that was a good game! Good job, Emmett!'” Barthel said. “Now, our staff’s expectations for him have gone up. For him, the expectations have gone up.”

Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell, who has the physical attributes of a Big Ten-caliber running back, also makes the list. Barthel said Dowdell can bench press 31 reps at 225 pounds. He squats more than 500 pounds. But Dowdell doesn’t have the experience of the teammates he’ll be competing with for playing time in the fall. He played six games in his lone season with the Ducks.

“He’s a powerful young man, but he’s a young man,” Barthel said. “That’s when you’re like, ‘Oh, man,’ because you look at him and he’s such a powerful young man, and he works that way. He works. He’s very coachable. When you’re around him, he acts like a veteran, so sometimes some of the mistakes he can make in practice, you’re like, ‘Oh, man,’ because he’s never made them before.”

Barthel described Rahmir Johnson as “the best player he’s had since I’ve been here” as the running back returns to the field.

As for Ervin, his final hurdle is mental. He has to regain confidence in his body and understand that he can do the things he was capable of before his injury in 2023. Ervin was the Huskers’ starting running back for three games, averaging more than five yards per carry. He’s been able to overcome the recovery and rehab aspects of his return.

“I think he’s at that final stage right before camp where he’s ready to play,” Barthel said. “So he had to go through this summer to get to where he is, and I’m really confident in where he’s at right now.”