Husker Signee Analysis: The Running Backs

With an influx of new contenders, does Nebraska finally have its bell cow?

Nebraska Athletics via Twitter

Nebraska continues to chase after the success it had with Devine Ozigbo. The former Mike Riley recruit rushed for 1,082 yards (7 ypc) and 12 touchdowns during Scott Frost's first season in Lincoln. The Huskers haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since. Heck, they haven't had a legit bell cow since, either. Dedrick Mills came close in 2019, but the past two seasons especially, the running back room has been a hodgepodge of different players.

On several occasions, the leading rusher one week would barely see the field the next. Guys who started at the beginning of the year were on a milk carton come October. Guys who were fourth string coming out of fall camp were getting the bulk of the carries in November. Former running backs coach Ryan Held brought in highly rated guys, but he just never could develop or manage his room. His substitution patterns made a lot of observers scratch their heads. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to them.

This is the fourth in Jeremy Pernell’s series. • National class rankings • Husker signee rankings • Quarterback Richard Torres

The Huskers have already lost two former members of the 2020 class to transfer, Sevion Morrison and Marvin Scott III. With new running backs coach Bryan Applewhite coming in, and an overall reset on offense with four new assistant coaches, we could see even more attrition before the 2022 season starts.

The Huskers took a big step toward revamping Applewhite's room, adding three new scholarship players in this recruiting class. The first guy was actually added before Applewhite was even hired.

Emmett Johnson was a late find for the Husker staff. In fact, he's a guy who, despite putting up video game numbers as a senior, went largely unnoticed. Johnson got on Nebraska's radar in late November after he posted his senior film. Coaches got in immediate contact and invited him to Lincoln for an unofficial visit for the Iowa game on Black Friday. Husker staffers Ron Brown and Steve Cooper were in Minneapolis the following Tuesday, Nov. 30, for an in-home visit. Even though they already had a running back committed at the time (Ashton Hayes), the Huskers were putting the full-court press on Johnson.

Emmett Johnson / Nebraska Athletics via Twitter

The staff arranged for Johnson and his parents to be in Lincoln for an official visit Dec. 10-12, the last weekend before the early signing period. On the eve of that visit, Ron Brown and Sean Beckton were back in Minneapolis visiting with Johnson and his family. Emmett had a great time on his ensuing official visit and the Huskers capped it off by extending an offer. On Monday, Husker coaches told Ashton Hayes they would honor his scholarship, but that it was in his best interest to look for a different opportunity. Hayes signed with California.

Johnson would end up announcing his commitment and signing with the Huskers on Dec. 15, over Group of Five and FCS offers such as Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Montana State, Western Kentucky and Northern Iowa. Despite putting up good numbers throughout his career, Johnson's recruitment never took off. Nebraska was his only Power Five offer, although several other schools were making a late push, particularly Iowa, Illinois and Iowa State. Part of the reason for that is most schools were full by the time his senior film started circulating. A lot of teams in the region could be kicking themselves before long.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Johnson had a monster senior season for Academy of Holy Angels in Minneapolis. Playing in Minnesota's third-largest classification, Johnson rushed for 2,513 yards and 42 touchdowns on offense. He had at least 100 rushing yards in all 11 games this past season. He had seven games where he ran for more than 200, and he rushed for at least four touchdowns in eight games. A two-way standout who also started at safety, Johnson had 85 tackles with 13 tackles for loss on defense. Johnson earned a bevy of postseason awards, including MaxPreps Player of the Year in the state as well as Mr. Football. Following the season, on Dec. 4, he played in the Minnesota High School Football Showcase, an annual All-Star game that features the best players in the state. He was named the Offensive MVP for the South team.

Johnson rushed for nearly 5,000 career yards in high school. He had double-digit touchdowns and over 1,000 yards as a sophomore and followed that up with 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. He finished his prep career as a two-time District MVP, three-time all-district selection, two-time all-metro pick and an all-state honoree as a senior.

Nebraska likes Johnson, at least initially, as a running back. But the talented athlete could also make his mark as a defensive back or wide receiver if that's where things end up. He's also a talented return man and gives Bill Busch another option there. Johnson reportedly runs a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, and that speed certainly showed up on tape. He showed really good vision and balance and consistently made the first man miss. He's an impressive one-cut, north-south runner who runs with decisiveness.

The NCAA transfer portal has changed college football. With players having the ability to transfer once without having to sit out a year, it has become college football's de facto free agency. There are currently almost 1,400 players in the portal. Simply put, it has changed the way college teams handle recruiting, with most schools not signing a full class in order to have scholarships available to offer players in the portal. This new strategy seems to have affected junior college players the most. A lot of good players are going to miss out on big-time offers and fall through the cracks. The Huskers think they've found one of those.

Anthony Grant / Nebraska Athletics via Twitter

Anthony Grant was a Rivals four-star recruit coming out of powerhouse Buford High School in Georgia during the 2018 class. As a senior, he was named first-team 5A all-state athlete by the Georgia Sports Writers Association, 5A all-state at linebacker by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and voted the All-Region 8 Georgia 5A Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. Recruited as both a running back and linebacker, Grant had over 20 offers, including Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. After being committed to Tennessee since June 2017, Grant was a signing day flip for Florida State as a part of Willie Taggart's first recruiting class in Tallahassee.

Grant appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman at Florida State, serving as the Seminoles' primary kick returner, leading the team with 11 kick returns for 247 yards. He also had five carries and made nine tackles on special teams. Grant redshirted the 2019 season due to personal issues and spent a portion of the season away from the program. He returned to the team in January 2020 and participated in each of FSU's three spring practices before the COVID-19 shutdown. Had he stayed with the Seminoles, he was expected to compete for third-team reps. Instead, he left the program for good in June and transferred to New Mexico Military Institute in the summer of 2020.

In his first season at NMMI, the pandemic forced junior colleges to play an abbreviated spring season. The Broncos played an eight-game schedule between March 27 and May 15. Grant made an immediate impact, finishing the season with 819 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 7.1 ypc. Any notion he would be tired for the start of the fall schedule just a few months later was quickly put to rest.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Grant put up monster numbers for NMMI. He led the junior college ranks in rushing attempts (241), rushing yards (1,730), yards per game (144.2) and yards per carry (7.2). He also finished with 18 touchdowns. He was named NJCAA Player of the Year and was a first-team junior college All-American.

Grant also led NMMI to the NJCAA national title, putting the team on his back during the playoffs. In the semifinal game against third-seeded Northwest Mississippi CC, Grant ran the ball 26 times for 398 yards and five touchdowns. He still had plenty left in the tank when his Broncos took on top-ranked Iowa Western two weeks later for the championship on December 17. Grant earned Most Valuable Player honors after carrying the ball 34 times for 192 yards. He also added two touchdowns (1 rush, 1 rec) in the 31-13 win.

The Huskers recruited Grant when he was in high school and put him back on their radar this past summer after he finished his initial spring season with the Broncos. The staff brought Grant in for an official visit Jan. 14-16, giving him the chance to meet new running backs coach Bryan Applewhite, who was hired by Frost a few days prior. Before his hire, Husker offensive quality control coach Steve Cooper and recruiting staffer Ryan Callaghan played pivotal roles in Grant's recruitment. It was Applewhite, though, who informed Grant of his scholarship offer during his official visit. Grant, who was accompanied on his trip by his father, was hosted by current Husker tailback Gabe Ervin, who was a freshman when Grant was a senior together at Buford.

Grant gave his commitment to Scott Frost during his one-on-one meeting with the head coach at the conclusion of his visit. The timing and circumstances are a bit interesting, though. Grant was in town for his visit the same weekend that Texas A&M transfer portal commitment Deondre Jackson was expected to move to Lincoln and start classes. Husker coaches found out Friday (Jan. 14) Jackson was not eligible, and the soonest he could get to Lincoln would be May. That opened up an opportunity for Grant, who became the sixth I-back on scholarship, which is the standard number the Huskers typically carry. Would Grant have gotten an offer if Jackson were eligible? With the room in flux and in need of a difference-maker (or two), I think he would have. It became a no-brainer after the fact, however. The question now is whether Jackson will have a spot on the roster this May or if the Huskers move on after adding a third tailback on signing day - giving the Huskers seven scholarship backs heading into spring ball.

After being one of the most productive junior college tailbacks over the past two years, Grant will come to Lincoln with the starting job on his mind. Grant is rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and is the No. 1 ranked juco running back according to ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals. Grant will be a fifth-year junior and has two years of eligibility remaining. He is already on campus and will participate in spring practices.

Nebraska also received a signing day addition from Ajay Allen, who picked Nebraska on Wednesday morning during a National Signing Day ceremony at his school. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound star out of Neville High School in Louisiana had been committed to TCU since early August but didn't sign with the Horned Frogs during the early signing period in December.

Ajay Allen / Nebraska Athletics via Twitter

Longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson reached a "separation agreement" with the school in early November, and Allen began considering other options. Schools like Mississippi State, Alabama, Florida and Washington were quick to circle back on Allen, who took an official visit to Starkville in early December. At one point, Allen had planned on visiting Alabama during the last weekend before the early signing period, but those plans fell through when Allen wanted to wait until February to sign. Instead, Allen took a visit to Fort Worth to meet with Sonny Dykes, who took over for Patterson.

Allen, nicknamed “Quick 6,” had a breakout senior season after being a rotational back as a junior. He finished his senior year with over 2,200 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns, earning Louisiana 4A all-state honors. He helped lead Neville to a 11-2 record and reached the state semifinals. Allen was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and On3 Sports.

Nebraska got involved with Allen soon after the early signing period was over and the team reset its board. The Huskers offered Allen on Jan. 5 and had him in for an official visit Jan. 20-22. By that time, Frost had hired Bryan Applewhite, who recruited Allen to TCU. By all accounts, Allen was extremely impressed by what he saw on his visit to Lincoln. The addition of Applewhite really helped the Huskers here, as well. He and Allen have a strong relationship, and with no clear-cut starter on the roster, Allen thinks he can come in and contribute immediately.

After visiting Lincoln, Allen narrowed his focus to Nebraska, Mississippi State and TCU. All three schools pushed hard for his commitment. On Jan. 25, Frost, Applewhite and Mickey Joseph flew to Monroe, Louisiana, to have an in-home visit with Allen and his family to make their final pitch.

Nebraska is getting a guy who can do pretty much anything. Allen is very explosive and is dangerous in the open field. He's a smooth, slippery runner and almost looks like he's gliding on the field. His highlights show impressive start-stop and jump-cut ability and a nice spin move in traffic. Whipple will be able to use him in the passing game as well, either coming out of the backfield or lined up in the slot. Allen's also a dangerous return man, he'll give Busch another option there too.

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Related

• HuskerMax 2022 recruiting page
• HuskerMax recruiting forum

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