Is college football ignoring its most explosive weapon? Johnson’s historic season forces the nation to pay attention
Emmett Johnson is not just making history—he’s challenging the very hierarchy of college football recognition. The Nebraska running back has been named one of only 13 semifinalists for the prestigious Maxwell Award, and shockingly, just one of two running backs still in contention. In a year dominated by quarterbacks and flashy offenses, Johnson’s inclusion is both a triumph and a wake-up call.
His numbers are undeniable. Johnson ranks second nationally in rushing yards with 1,131 and leads the country in total yards from scrimmage with 1,431. He’s scored 14 touchdowns, caught 36 passes—second most among all running backs—and delivered six 100-yard rushing games, including three consecutive performances that have powered Nebraska to a 7-3 record, its best since 2016.
But it was his performance against UCLA that shattered expectations. Johnson became the first Husker ever to rush and receive for over 100 yards in the same game, racking up 232 total yards and three touchdowns. That earned him both Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Maxwell Club National Player of the Week honors.
Head coach Matt Rhule didn’t mince words: “Johnson should be up for all the national awards.” And yet, the semifinalist list remains stacked with quarterbacks, leaving many to wonder—does college football still undervalue its most versatile playmakers?
Johnson now stands alongside Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love as the only running backs left in the race. If he wins, he’ll be the first Husker to claim the Maxwell since Mike Rozier in 1983. With the ESPN College Football Awards Show looming, the question is no longer whether Johnson deserves the spotlight. It’s whether the system is ready to give it to him.