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Matt Rhule dissects Nebraska’s plan for RB rotation, names primary 3rd-down options

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Matt Rhule is not backing away from Nebraska’s depth in the running back room. Leading up to Week 1, the depth chart for the Huskers listed 4 guys as “OR,” meaning there is no definitive starter or leader among the group.

Rhule solidified that designation early in the week, and he re-addressed what he expects to see from the RB rotation during his Thursday press conference. He admitted the rotation will be “a little bit of both” between selecting matchups against specific defenses and rotating the position every series.

However, Rhule specified all 4 players would see the field at some point in the first half. Beyond that, some of the rotation will be determined by certain play calls and formations.

As for a 3rd-down back, Rhule identified Rahmir Johnson and Emmett Johnson as the 2 players Nebraska will first use in that scenario. Rhule especially likes Rahmir’s ability to run routes as a receiver, but he did not entirely rule out Dante Dowdell or Gabe Ervin Jr. seeing the field in short-yardage situations as bigger backs.

Here’s what Rhule had to say about the rotation:

“We might say ‘Hey, this guy is going to go this series.’ I’m going to want all 4 guys to play in the first half. I don’t think it’s fair to say ‘Come in in the second half,’ so I’m going to ask all 4 guys to play,” said Rhule.

“I think it really depends on where we start with the football. There are things we want (each guy) to do, and they have to be able to do them all, but we’re not your traditional no-huddle, go-fast team… And 3rd down. Rahmir and Emmett are the 3rd-down backs. Rahmir has to be treated as a receiver in my mind for his ability to run routes.”

Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson and Ervin are the players from the group to see the field for Nebraska last year, but Rahmir and Ervin both suffered season-ending injuries after 3 games. Dowdell saw very limited action as a true freshman in Oregon’s deep RB room in 2023. However, he brings elite talent to the room as a former 4-star prospect.

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Getting that unit to gel early and often will go a long way to helping the offense and true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola settle in against UTEP. We’ll see how the rotation ultimately pans out and whether or not one player begins to carve out a heavier role heading into Week 2.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.