Running backs are all worthy of playing, Langsdorf says

Nebraska is through one week of its third consecutive fall camp without a clear-cut, all-conference type, go-to running back that’s ready to tote the football 25-30 times a game.

Nebraska has been spoiled in recent years when it comes to running backs.

From 2004-2015, five Husker I-backs were selected in the NFL Draft; most recently Ameer Abdullah in the second round in 2015. Abdullah and Rex Burkhead are the only two that remain active today.

Asking anyone to match the success and magnitude of Abdullah’s, or Burkhead’s, or Roy Helu, Jr.’s college career is asking a lot.

Those three alone make up half of Nebraska’s top six all-time career rushers.

Yes, Nebraska was spoiled, if not lucky, to have NFL-caliber talent year after year at running back.

While a Burkhead or Abdullah-like season isn’t expected from anyone in 2017, there’s something Nebraska has this year that it hasn’t as many of the last two years.

Reliable options.

Juniors Devine Ozigbo and Mikale Wilbon, along with sophomore Tre Bryant, all saw playing time in 2016 and are expected to heavily contribute again this season.

But in every fall camp, everyone wants to see what true freshmen can offer.

Jaylin Bradley.

The lone running back-signee in 2017 has made a solid impression so far in his first fall camp as a Husker.

“(Bradley’s) really athletic,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said Thursday. “He’s got a ways to go in learning and understanding what we’re doing, but he’s working on it. When he has the ball in his hands, he’s explosive. It’s been fun to see.”

“He’s pushing this (running backs) group. It’s been fun seeing how quickly he’s picked it up.”

Head coach Mike Riley briefly shared his thoughts on Bradley after Nebraska’s first fall practice on July 30.

“I just had some glimpses of Jaylin Bradley athletically,” Riley said. “I was impressed with that.”

But after the first day of fall practice, Riley wanted to give equal praise to the whole group.

“They’re all in good shape,” Riley said. “They went in, did their job, they look good. They’re all physically prepared, I think, at probably the highest level of their lives. I think they’re all ready to go.”

Having options at running back isn’t a bad thing. Speed backs can get big chunks of yardage on first and second down, while bigger, more physical backs can convert short-yardage situations on third down, fourth down and near the goal line.

Options aren’t lacking for Langsdorf, but his go-to guy in the backfield hasn’t emerged from the pack yet.

“You’d love to have one (running back) take off with the job,” Langsdorf said. “That hasn’t happened yet. You always have some concern about hits and (being) tired, but you also want a guy that can get into that groove and rhythm of the game.”

“We’d rather not have a bunch of guys playing, but they’re all worthy of playing. They’ve looked pretty good, so we’re trying to sort that out still.”

In 2015, it was Imani Cross, Terrell Newby, Andy Janovich, Ozigbo and Wilbon sharing reps for Nebraska. Last year, it was was Newby, Ozigbo, Wilbon and Bryant. In no particular order.

Langsdorf and Riley had no shortage of capable backs in their first two seasons at Nebraska, and they don’t this season. They just haven’t found an extraordinary one yet.

How did the extraordinary backs like Burkhead and Abdullah break through? The same way the current backs are trying to now. Through competition.

From 2009-2010, it was Helu, Jr., Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson.

2011, Burkhead, Abdullah and Braylon Heard. 2012, those three plus Cross.

2013, Abdullah, Cross and Newby.

Athletes like Abdullah, Burkhead and Helu, Jr. don’t come around often. Nebraska had a fortunate streak, a great mind in running backs coach Ron Brown, and solid back-ups to push the starters during practice.

The Huskers have had a trend of talent-filled running back battles the last seven seasons. They’ve also had a trend of running quarterbacks during that time.

From 2010-2016, Nebraska’s starting quarterbacks (Taylor Martinez followed by Tommy Armstrong) finished the season fourth or higher in team rushing.

It’s been well known for awhile that Tanner Lee isn’t a rushing quarterback.

Without a running QB this season, nearly all of the carries will go to the backs. While there are plenty of backs willing and ready to receive those carries, the one who finds the “groove and rhythm” of the game Langsdorf is looking for might be unknown for at least a few weeks.

“That’s part of the dilemma here in our running back position right now,” running backs coach Reggie Davis said Thursday. “Trying to find a way to get all of the guys the balls. We’ve got a good group of guys right now who can do a lot of different things.”