Get ready to see plenty of Nebraska running backs in Saturday’s season opener against UTEP.

Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Monday that he has not settled on a clear-cut No. 1 running back. Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr. and Dante Dowdell were listed as “OR” on the team’s depth chart.

Rhule said ideally the Huskers would have settled on a more defined top back, but it may take a few games for that to occur. As for the opener against the Miners, “I think we’re going to play them all,” he said.

Dowdell is the newcomer to the running back room after the former 4-star prospect spent his 2023 season at Oregon. Rahmir Johnson and Ervin both saw action early in 2023 but experienced season-ending injuries. Emmett Johnson appeared in 12 games a season ago and finished 3rd on the team with 411 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns.

Plenty of eyes will be on the running back situation Saturday, though touted true freshman Dylan Raiola could steal the headlines. The No. 11 overall player in the 2024 ESPN 300 enrolled early and beat out junior Heinrich Haarberg and true freshman Daniel Kaelin for the starting job. He was Nebraska’s highest-ranked high school recruit since ESPN began tracking rankings in 2006. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder threw for nearly 8,500 yards and 88 touchdowns during his high school career.

Rhule is entering his second season after a 5-7 debut campaign.