Transfer rb?

oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,458
2,000
113
One of the local talking heads said that RB was not a high priority and they felt good about their RB room and also intimated they felt really good about the incoming 26 RB signee (Rule).
JC, not this again. I think Nelson and Mozee can come along, and I even think Ives is a solid depth piece. But we need a bonfire starter from the portal.
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,188
4,836
91
Personally after watching the bowl game even with Utahs bad run defense, I wasn't ultra concerned about rb compared to our o and d line/ defense.
It seems that if there are holes, the current roster of RBs can run through them just fine. RB is the position of the greatest disconnect between how the fan base (at least this board) sees it vs. the coaches.
 

ADV88

Junior
Oct 26, 2018
1,860
392
83
It seems that if there are holes, the current roster of RBs can run through them just fine. RB is the position of the greatest disconnect between how the fan base (at least this board) sees it vs. the coaches.
RUN THE DANG BALL!
 
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Husker.Wed._rivals

All-Conference
Feb 13, 2004
17,647
3,698
98
When Rhule got here he talked about wanting a bruising running game so opponents were worn down by the 4th quarter. As it turns out, the exact opposite happens. Emmet was a really good back, no doubt, but NU needs a large bruising back for more than situational playing time and I'm not sure Ives is the answer. Unfortunately, Barthel does not seem to be a top recruiter/developer, and doesn't seem to have much interest in acquiring portal transfers. Until Emmet emerged after threatening to transfer, Barthel seemed to tend toward RB by committee rather than going with a featured back. That is probably what will happen next season.
 

Redblood23_rivals

Sophomore
Jan 17, 2004
176
174
43
It’s wild to me - I’ve heard both Rhule and Benning say that the running back room is good enough as is. No need to hit the portal.

I see a very pedestrian room that is clearing lacking a stud
That's the stupid NFL mentality Rhule has. N is historically known for its running game, great I-Backs and they still refuse to lean on that as an identity even after the year EJ just had. RBs matter in college football but it seems N has forgotten. Smh.
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,188
4,836
91
I actually liked what I saw out of Nelson in the bowl game. He is quick and decisive while running with intent. He is one of the few guys on the team to play with a fiery edge.
Nelson, Mozee and the rest were in a room with an All American RB, were in the same film sessions, and watched how he played and how he got ready. It's been my experience that talent works up to better talent. The disconnect between the more plugged-in elements of the fanbase (sports yakkers, this board) and the coaches is quite something. And this of course carries over to opinions about Barthel (he sucks vs. he coached and developed an All American).
 
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BadgerPete

Junior
Dec 22, 2013
1,051
256
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That's the stupid NFL mentality Rhule has. N is historically known for its running game, great I-Backs and they still refuse to lean on that as an identity even after the year EJ just had. RBs matter in college football but it seems N has forgotten. Smh.
Amen!! We need studs in the backfield!!!!

In the last 15 years, the only RB's of note that I can remember are in order:

Ameer Abdullah
Emmett Johnson
Terrell Newby
Devine Ozigbo

Greg Bell and Maurice Washington had potential but transferred.

My pick to be the next 1,000+ yard rusher was Gabe Ervin. He had size, good hands, but week knees. He could have been really good.
 

DrAlan_Grant

Senior
Jan 30, 2019
1,902
526
87
I actually liked what I saw out of Nelson in the bowl game. He is quick and decisive while running with intent. He is one of the few guys on the team to play with a fiery edge.
I agree. He is also only a redshirt freshman. Also Mozee is a true Freshman. Both were stuck behind a great back.
 

BadgerPete

Junior
Dec 22, 2013
1,051
256
83
Nelson, Mozee and the rest were in a room with an All American RB, were in the same film sessions, and watched how he played and how he got ready. It's been my experience that talent works up to better talent. The disconnect between the more plugged-in elements of the fanbase (sports yakkers, this board) and the coaches is quite something. And this of course carries over to opinions about Barthel (he sucks vs. he coached and developed an All American).
I like your comments!
 

Mister_Scarlet

Sophomore
Dec 18, 2025
93
149
33
It’s wild to me - I’ve heard both Rhule and Benning say that the running back room is good enough as is. No need to hit the portal.

I see a very pedestrian room that is

Nelson, Mozee and the rest were in a room with an All American RB, were in the same film sessions, and watched how he played and how he got ready. It's been my experience that talent works up to better talent. The disconnect between the more plugged-in elements of the fanbase (sports yakkers, this board) and the coaches is quite something. And this of course carries over to opinions about Barthel (he sucks vs. he coached and developed an All American).
Good points. I'm in the Barthel camp, although it's pretty lonely in here!

I don't understand how EJ gets zero credit for taking Emmett from a guy to All American. His footwork and speed were undoubtedly developed the past couple years.

Limited sample size, good or bad, on the backups. We don't see practice...
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,188
4,836
91
Amen!! We need studs in the backfield!!!!

In the last 15 years, the only RB's of note that I can remember are in order:

Ameer Abdullah
Emmett Johnson
Terrell Newby
Devine Ozigbo

Greg Bell and Maurice Washington had potential but transferred.

My pick to be the next 1,000+ yard rusher was Gabe Ervin. He had size, good hands, but week knees. He could have been really good.
If you are going back 15 years, add Rex Burkhead. Hell, Imani Cross was a solid RB.
 

Spinner4

Senior
Jun 5, 2022
584
819
93
It’s wild to me - I’ve heard both Rhule and Benning say that the running back room is good enough as is. No need to hit the portal.

I see a very pedestrian room that is clearing lacking a stud
I won’t pay Benning any attention until his son is no longer on the team. Doesn’t seem to ever have any concerns about the program. To affraid to get his son in the dog house.

And to finish 11th in conference in rushing, 11th in YPC and 10th in YPG and have the leading rusher in conference and that players not coming back, that’s not concerning???? That means the rest of the team sucked Matt. Like a lot. Wow

he didn’t think that EJ would have benefited from help last year? Michigan and Iowa Stand out the most. EJ was winded and we kept trying to feed him cause we had no one else or we’d hand off to our down by first contact backs. Almost all our great backs had a #2 that was at least solid.


And save me the “I trust Rhule” crap. I don’t. I don’t trust Rhule as far as I can throw him. He’s the dumbest HC we’ve ever had. Football wise and just intelligent wise. The man is just dumb AF. He’s lucky to be where he is. That’s all. Luck and a slick mouth

All their money is on very low rated recruited backs. Not smart. but FAFO Matt. Hey did we ever think maybe think he wants to be fired?
 
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oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,458
2,000
113
Nelson, Mozee and the rest were in a room with an All American RB, were in the same film sessions, and watched how he played and how he got ready. It's been my experience that talent works up to better talent. The disconnect between the more plugged-in elements of the fanbase (sports yakkers, this board) and the coaches is quite something. And this of course carries over to opinions about Barthel (he sucks vs. he coached and developed an All American).
...Or the rest of the room sucked and so we had to rely on EJ as a workhorse back. And thankfully he came through. We still have a middle of the pack rushing attack at best even with EJ, and that shouldn't be considered near good enough at a place like Nebraska.
 

oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,458
2,000
113
Amen!! We need studs in the backfield!!!!

In the last 15 years, the only RB's of note that I can remember are in order:

Ameer Abdullah
Emmett Johnson
Terrell Newby
Devine Ozigbo

Greg Bell and Maurice Washington had potential but transferred.

My pick to be the next 1,000+ yard rusher was Gabe Ervin. He had size, good hands, but week knees. He could have been really good.
I had high hopes for Ervin. But he got injured early and weirdly put on a lot of upper body weight for no reason.
 

TouchdownTom

Junior
Jul 10, 2025
205
361
63
We are going to be a tough downhill physical run team! Proceeds to try and convert WRs into power backs.
 
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OxfordComma

Senior
Feb 4, 2020
615
675
93
If you are going back 15 years, add Rex Burkhead. Hell, Imani Cross was a solid RB.

Amen!! We need studs in the backfield!!!!

In the last 15 years, the only RB's of note that I can remember are in order:

Ameer Abdullah
Emmett Johnson
Terrell Newby
Devine Ozigbo

Greg Bell and Maurice Washington had potential but transferred.

My pick to be the next 1,000+ yard rusher was Gabe Ervin. He had size, good hands, but weak knees. He could have been really good.

Wandale Robinson did some good things at RB.
 

BleedRed89

Heisman
Nov 27, 2008
34,371
53,381
113
Call me crazy. But the limited flashes of Mozee in space show hints at something special. I still think we take a back in the portal as hes young - but I genuinely believe we have a special one in him.

Though I admit I expected that talent to be utilized on the permiter not out of the backfield...but I'll take it.
 
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Nov 28, 2016
3,382
803
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One of the local talking heads said that RB was not a high priority and they felt good about their RB room and also intimated they felt really good about the incoming 26 RB signee (Rule).
If this is true then I believe we’re in trouble. EJ is gone and he was the ONLY RB last year. We need two Dudes at that position that are going to be playmakers with some good depth behind those two. Crazy stuff if true!
 
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Aug 18, 2016
16,624
10,899
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I won’t pay Benning any attention until his son is no longer on the team. Doesn’t seem to ever have any concerns about the program. To affraid to get his son in the dog house.

And to finish 11th in conference in rushing, 11th in YPC and 10th in YPG and have the leading rusher in conference and that players not coming back, that’s not concerning???? That means the rest of the team sucked Matt. Like a lot. Wow

he didn’t think that EJ would have benefited from help last year? Michigan and Iowa Stand out the most. EJ was winded and we kept trying to feed him cause we had no one else or we’d hand off to our down by first contact backs. Almost all our great backs had a #2 that was at least solid.


And save me the “I trust Rhule” crap. I don’t. I don’t trust Rhule as far as I can throw him. He’s the dumbest HC we’ve ever had. Football wise and just intelligent wise. The man is just dumb AF. He’s lucky to be where he is. That’s all. Luck and a slick mouth

All their money is on very low rated recruited backs. Not smart. but FAFO Matt. Hey did we ever think maybe think he wants to be fired?
Benning has been the same way since he was on 1620 and even before that and long before he was the radio color guy. He does say things that are critical of the program. Just yesterday or the day before, he was talking about how they need to do something different for bowl practice. That giving kids that much time off was a bad idea. He was also questioning if the team is still mentally fragile, because when the wheels start to wobble they lose the entire axle, this was in reference to the last 3 games. To single him out is a bit "lazy". The media in Nebraska is all the same. The only two that speak out at all are the dude at the paper Sam McKewon and now Schaefer after he was let go at 247, he apparently found his sack.

As far as RB position goes, the post on this thread this year are exactly the same as last year. All you need to do is change the name from Johnson to Mozee or Nelson. I have no idea if the room will be sufficient next season, I do know there are 6 or 7 guys in the room right now many with the same level of confidence from the fanbase as Emmitt Johnson had last year.