Husker Dan: The 2022 Running Back Room

Is there a bell cow in the group?

Kenny Larabee photo, KLIN

By Aug. 27 when the Huskers open the 2022 season, first-year Husker running backs coach Bryan Applewhite has the task of developing three or four backs out of a total of 13 who can be counted on to consistently move the chains for the Big Red this fall.

Not since 2018 when Devine Ozigbo led the Huskers in rushing with 1,082 yards has there been a RB who has had a thousand rushing yards for Nebraska. In fact, a really solid RB corps hasn't existed since the days of Ameer Abdullah ('11-'14) and Rex Burkhead ('09-'12). In the two years they played together at Nebraska, they rushed for a total of 3,319 yards and scored 31 TDs. (Both of them are still getting NFL paychecks.)

Does Coach Applewhite have a couple of players like Abdullah and Burkhead in his RB corps?

When Scott Frost showed up in 2018 as the Husker head football coach, he recruited QB Adrian Martinez to run the offense.

The following year, Nebraska recruited Georgia Tech transfer RB Dedrick Mills to pick up the slack after Ozigbo left Nebraska. In 2019, Mills led the Huskers in rushing with 745 yards and 10 TDs, but his production fell to 396 yards and 3 TDs the following year. (He missed several games due to injuries in 2020.)

Sadly, after the 2019 season a Husker RB has not been the team's leading rusher.

Since then, it's been QB Adrian Martinez. In 2020, he rushed for 521 yards and 7 TDs, and 525 yards and 13 TDs in 2021.

As every Husker fan knows, Martinez transferred to Kansas State to finish his collegiate career. Apparently, Martinez's leaving was mutually agreed upon.

Run the damn ball!

In games during the Scott Frost era at Nebraska when a QB has been the team's leading rusher, the Huskers have a losing record. However, when a RB leads the team in rushing, the Huskers win more than they lose.

Calling Capt. Obvious #1: In order to win games this fall (or any other fall), the Huskers will need to be able to "Run the damn ball!" It's also a safe bet that Husker OC Mark Whipple doesn't want his QBs to ever lead the team in rushing.

Calling Capt. Obvious #2: The success (or failure) this fall of the RB room will depend on how strong and deep the Husker O-line is going to be. The two go hand in hand.

So who will be the bell cow?

The room leaders at this point appear to be (and not in any particular order), Jaquez Yant, Gabe Ervin Jr., Markese Stepp, Rahmir Johnson and New Mexico Military Institute transfer Anthony Grant.

Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Gabe Ervin

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Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Markese Stepp

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Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Rahmir Johnson

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Nebraska Athletics photo

Anthony Grant

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Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Jaquez Yant

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Both Gabe and Rahmir were injured last fall and Stepp was injured in the Husker spring game. It's not known if some or all will be 100% this August.

There are also a couple of high school recruits who may fit into the running back mix this fall: Ajay Allen (5-11, 185) and Emmett Johnson (6-0, 185). It's possible that both will redshirt this fall so they can have time to bulk up for the physical pounding of the Big Ten.

Because there is no returning bell cow in the group, it may take until Sept. 17 when Oklahoma visits Lincoln before any kind of realistic depth chart is established.

Until then, let's hope the Huskers are off and running by this fall.

How ’Bout Them Huskers

In this week's podcast, grandson Will and I talk in more detail about the Husker running back room. We also discuss the sanctions the NCAA has imposed on the Husker football program. Don't miss the podcast! Here's the link.

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