Get ready to see plenty of Nebraska running backs in Saturday’s season opener against UTEP.
Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Monday he has not yet settled on a clear No. 1 running back. Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr. and Dante Dowdell were listed as “OR” on the team’s roster.
Rhule said ideally the Huskers would have settled on a more defined top back, but it could be a few games before that happens. As for the opening game against the Miners, “I think we’ll play everybody,” he said.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule says ideally #Huskers would have opted for a stronger No. 1 running back and could do so after a few games.
On the opener with four Co-1s: “I think we’ll play them all.”
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) 26 August 2024
Dowdell is the newcomer to the running back room after the former 4-star prospect spent his 2023 season at Oregon. Rahmir Johnson and Ervin both started early in 2023 but suffered season-ending injuries for them. Emmett Johnson appeared in 12 games last season and finished third on the team with 411 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Many eyes will be on the running back situation Saturday, although highly touted freshman Dylan Raiola could grab the headlines. The No. 11 player in the 2024 ESPN 300 enrolled early, edging out junior Heinrich Haarberg and freshman Daniel Kaelin in the battle for the starting job. He was Nebraska’s top-ranked high school recruit since ESPN began tracking the rankings in 2006. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound player threw for nearly 8,500 yards and 88 touchdowns during his high school career.
Rhule enters his second season after a 5-7 debut season.
