Sometimes a run play starts one play and ends up going another way. So it was in this case.
There were plans to enter the portal but it was never actually entered. On the eve of the portal officially opening, Husker running back Emmett Johnson announced on social media he will return to the Nebraska football program.
He posted a video that finished with the words «I’m back» to finish it.
The running back from Minneapolis played in every game this season with four starts. He had 523 rushing yards on 102 carries, with 809 all-purpose yards. Johnson has added 35 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown, setting career highs in each of those categories. Johnson is one of two Huskers with both a rushing and receiving touchdown, and his 35 receptions are the most by a Husker running back since the 2007 season.
His last three games in Dana Holgorsen’s offense was his best ball as a Husker and also a reason why fans were disappointed when it was announced on Thursday he had plans to enter the portal.
But the running back with two years to play is back as Nebraska gets ready for the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College.
After Holgorsen’s arrival, Johnson had 91 yards on 17 touches against USC, 198 on 24 touches against Wisconsin and 96 yards on 24 touches against Iowa. That totals 385 yards in those games.
«He’s a great guy. He keeps the game simple and just allows me to do me and be in space,» Johnson said after the Wisconsin game of things clicking in Holgorsen’s offense. «Most importantly he keeps everything simple for the whole offense. Not just me. Upfront everybody knew what they had to do. We just went out there and executed. Credit to my O-line as well … Those boys helped me a lot.»
«Emmett was untackleable at times today,» Husker head coach Matt Rhule said after that 44-25 Nebraska win over Wisconsin moved NU to its sixth win and bowl eligibility.
That game against Wisconsin was Nebraska’s first 100-yard rusher since Chubba Purdy did it a full year before.
Four days before Johnson’s monster game against the Badgers, Holgorsen had been upfront about some holes he felt the Husker running backs had missed the week before at USC.
Johnson heard it and took it as a useful critique.
«I love that he said that. I kind of take it as just a challenge,» Johnson said. «I’ve been making people miss my whole life. So just going out there and trusting my training. And most importantly trying to help this team win football games and keep progressing.»
For a few days it looked like that wouldn’t happen in 2025. But many Husker fans are happy portal planning and actually leaving are different matters.