E.J. Barthel talks Nebraska’s crowded and eclectic running backs room

Over the past six months, Johnson has become the leader of the running back room, position coach E.J. Barthel told the Huskers Radio Network on Tuesday. Johnson returns from his injury with a clear understanding of his job and role within a crowded, eclectic position group.

“I believe he trusts in what we see in him and what we say to him, so I don’t think it was too much of a decision for him to make,” Barthel said. “I think he knew, hey these guys told me they need me to do something, and I’m gonna stand by that.”

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

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

“This year is really gonna be (that) he’s not a young back anymore that can — ‘Oh, that was a good game! Great job, Emmett!’” Barthel said. “Now the expectation for him now from our staff has risen. For himself, the expectation has risen.”

Also in the mix is Oregon transfer Dante Dowdell, who has the physical traits of a Big Ten-caliber running back. Barthel said Dowdell can do 31 bench press reps of 225 pounds. He squats more than 500 pounds. But Dowdell lacks the experience of the teammates he’ll compete with for playing time in the fall. He appeared in six games in his lone season with the Ducks.

“He is a powerful young man, but he’s a young man,” Barthel said. “That’s the part where you’re like, ‘Ah, man’ because you look at him and he’s such a powerful kid, 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 may make in practice, you’re kinda like he’s supposed to make that mistake because he’s never done it before.”

Barthel described Rahmir Johnson as “the best he’s looked since I’ve been here” as the running back works his way back onto the field.

As for Ervin, his final hurdle is mental. It’s regaining the confidence in his body and understanding that he can do the things he was capable of before he went down in 2023. Ervin was the Huskers’ starting tailback for three games, averaging more than five yards per carry. He’s made it through the recovery and rehabilitation aspects of his return.

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