| No. 21 – Nebraska Cornhuskers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Class |  Junior |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 10, 2003[1] |
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Academy of Holy Angels (Richfield, Minnesota) |
| College |
|
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Emmett Johnson (born October 10, 2003) is an American college football running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
High school career
[edit]Johnson attended Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minnesota. As a senior, he rushed for 2,484 yards on 326 carries, totaling 42 touchdowns, being named the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football.[2] A three-star recruit, Johnson committed to play college football at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.[3][4]
College career
[edit]Johnson redshirted in 2022, before rushing for 411 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.[5] The following season, his production increased, recording 113 yards rushing and 85 yards receiving against Wisconsin.[6] Johnson finished the season rushing for 598 yards and a touchdown, while also receiving 286 yards and two touchdowns.[7][8] He entered the 2025 season as the Cornhusker's starting running back.[9][10] In the season opener against Cincinnati, Johnson totaled a career-high 25 carries for 108 yards in a 20–17 victory.[11] After the conclusion of the regular season, he was named first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Running Back of the Year.[12]
On December 5, 2025, Johnson declared for the 2026 NFL draft.[13]
| Season | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2022 | Nebraska | 4 | 0 | Redshirted
| |||||||
| 2023 | Nebraska | 12 | 6 | 90 | 411 | 4.6 | 2 | 7 | 46 | 6.6 | 0 |
| 2024 | Nebraska | 13 | 5 | 117 | 598 | 5.1 | 1 | 39 | 286 | 7.3 | 2 |
| 2025 | Nebraska | 12 | 12 | 251 | 1,451 | 5.8 | 12 | 46 | 370 | 8.0 | 3 |
| Career | 41 | 23 | 458 | 2,460 | 5.4 | 15 | 92 | 702 | 7.6 | 5 | |
References
[edit]- ^ @EmmettJohnson_ (October 10, 2023). "20 Years Thank you God🙏🏾 now let's make it a great one‼️" (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Morken, Eric (December 6, 2021). "Two-way player Emmett Johnson of Academy of Holy Angels wins 2021 Mr. Football Award in Minnesota". Alexandria Echo Press. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Bland, Evan (December 15, 2021). "Running back Emmett Johnson commits to Huskers on signing day". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Holy Angels running back Emmett Johnson signs with Nebraska". kare11.com. December 15, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Wilson (November 29, 2023). "Matt Rhule content with Nebraska's running backs group heading into 2024". The Grand Island Independent. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Bobby (November 26, 2024). "Emmett Johnson: Nebraska's rising superstar". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Matteson, Chase (December 9, 2024). "Emmett Johnson announces decision to stay with Nebraska football". KOLN. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Bobby (March 25, 2025). "Emmett Johnson expects Nebraska's offense to light up the scoreboard in 2025". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "'Put the offense in better positions': Emmett Johnson ready to lead Husker run game". metro.newschannelnebraska.com. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Moore, Wilson (July 29, 2025). "Emmett Johnson embraces leadership role as Huskers' clear-cut starting running back". JournalStar.com. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Mullin, Luke (September 2, 2025). "Holgorsen: Nebraska can't lean that hard on Emmett Johnson every week". The Grand Island Independent. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ Rubek, Anthony (December 11, 2025). "Emmett Johnson wins Big Ten Running Back of the Year". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
- ^ "Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson declares for 2026 NFL Draft". espn.com. Retrieved January 21, 2026.