Nebraska's three strongest position groups heading into fall camp

Matt Rhule and his staff still have plenty of questions to answer heading into their debut season at Nebraska. However, there are a few known commodities that the Huskers should be able to lean on this year.

Here are our picks for NU’s three strongest position groups heading into the start of fall camp…

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Running back

Nebraska hasn’t had a 1,000-yard running back since 2018. We’ll see if that drought ends this season, especially with the return of Anthony Grant, who came just 37 yards shy (963) of reaching that mark in 2022.

Running back made this list because the Huskers might not need Grant – or anyone else – to carry that heavy type of workload. Gabe Ervin Jr.’s praise from his new coaches this offseason is notable. He has a legitimate shot at supplanting Grant as the No. 1 back during fall camp.

Then there’s Rahmir Johnson, who has been lauded by Nebraska’s past two staffs for his versatility as a runner and receiver. The fifth-year junior ran for 495 yards and four touchdowns in 2021 before missing the final two games to injury.

We’ll also see where redshirt freshman Emmett Johnson and true freshman Kwinten Ives factor in this season. Emmett Johnson was the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football after racking up more than 2,500 yards and 42 touchdowns as a senior at Minneapolis Academy of Holy Angels.

Ives also boasts an impressive high school resume. He rushed for 3,055 yards and 49 touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons at Beverly (N.J.) Palmyra.

There may not be a clear-cut bell cow running back yet, but Nebraska’s backfield is the deepest and most talented unit on the offense going into the fall.

Cornerback

Nebraska’s cornerbacks might not get the national love as those at other programs, but the group could be the strength of the defense.

Two separate coaching staffs have dubbed Quinton Newsome as a future NFL player. He’s arguably the most high-profile Blackshirt right now. On the other side is Malcolm Hartzog, one of last season’s most pleasant surprises.

Despite only being 5-foot-9, 170-pounds, Hartzog started eight games and led the team with three interceptions as a true freshman.

What separates cornerback from other positions on Nebraska’s defense are the options behind those two. Tommi Hill, who lost his job to Hartzog, started the first four games last year.

Javier Morton is a former four-star prospect and one-time Alabama commit. Tamon Lynum played in every game as a true freshman in 2020 and saw action in NU’s first three contests last year before suffering a season-ending injury.

The Huskers also added an impressive four-man 2023 cornerback class with Syncere Safeeullah, Ethan Nation, Dwight Bootle, and D’Andre Barnes. Safeeullah could have the best chance of that group to crack the rotation this year.

Safety

Just like on the perimeter at cornerback, Nebraska is loaded with depth and talent on the back end at safety.

Veterans Myles Farmer, Marques Buford, and Isaac Gifford return after playing critical roles in the Husker secondary last season. That trio combined for 202 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass breakups in 2022.

DeShon Singleton was one of the nation’s highest-rated JUCO safeties in 2021. Omar Brown was a 2019 FCS All-American at Northern Iowa. Javin Wright could have limitless potential once he’s fully healthy again.

The Huskers added Florida transfer Corey Collier, a former four-star prospect out of Miami and 2021 Army All-American Bowl participant.

They also picked up three-star recruit Rahmir Stewart, who will join Koby Bretz and Gage Stenger as young safeties looking to make an impact.

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