E.J. Barthel raving about Emmett Johnson’s intensity this spring

LINCOLN, Neb. — After finishing 96th nationally in rushing offense last season, there’s a sense of urgency to improve Nebraska’s running back room, and that responsibility falls on the shoulders of E.J. Barthel.

The Huskers’ third-year Running Backs Coach continues to push his unit hard in spring practice, and players like Emmett Johnson are catching Barthel’s attention. The junior rusher does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and is picking up from where he left off in 2024.

After all, Johnson rushed for 314 of his 598 yards over the final four games, and finished third on the team in receptions. Which is why Barthel is eager to keep the wheels rolling, and make Johnson a weapon in a variety of ways this fall.

“He’s really at the top of his game right now, he’s literally what we stand for as a program,” Barthel said. “If you look at what we talk about in recruiting, and trying to build a program, he’s a guy that represents that, because he’s been through the process.”

Barthel finds Johnson’s journey inspirational too. When Johnson arrived in Lincoln, he had some bad habits. The Minnesota native kept his eyes on the ball when he received handoffs, and struggled with blocks.

However, Johnson started five games last year, and Barthel witnessed his growth in those areas. He was in awe of how Johnson molded himself into an every-down back. Now he’s hungrier than ever before after splitting carries with Donte Dowdell, and Barthel feels the best is yet to come for Johnson.

“He’s a guy that believes in what we’re doing, he believes in the coaching, and the coaching with him transitions to the field,” he said. “The best thing about this is you watch him grow from a guy that is ready to play, to a guy that can possibly be one of the better players, if not one of the best backs in the conference, he has that kind of ability.”

Although Johnson has workhorse tendencies, Barthel plans on spreading the wealth and giving other running backs reps too. Sophomore Kwinten Ives, and redshirt freshman Mekhi Nelson are looking very capable of stepping up to the plate to make the room that much stronger. Ives played in nine games last season, and rushed for a touchdown in the bowl win over Boston College, while Nelson generated one carry in the opener against UTEP.

Barthel finds it encouraging how both rushers are showing ways they can be useful, and helping Johnson reach his potential throughout the spring. Repetition is helping them all make strides in Barthel’s eyes, and Johnson is setting the bar high in practice.

“He (Johnson) has high standards, he has high goals, he’s a competitive kid, and I believe he stayed  the course,” the 40-year old said. “He’s earned his position where he’s at right now with reps, and going through the hard work of becoming a good player.”

There’s nothing like having depth, and bodies to go around deep into the Big Ten gauntlet. Complimenting Johnson will be important, so Barthel wants Ives to become a monster in short-yardage situations, and along the goaline. Nelson is still somewhat green as far as experience, but hits the holes hard and continues to learn the scheme.

As for Johnson, Barthel plans on utilizing his hands out of the backfield in Nebraska’s aerial attack. Barthel even uses some of the routes he did with Christian McCaffrey during his time with Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers. The more Johnson can polish his routes, the more dangerous he’ll be out in space. The former three-star prospect is explosive, but needs to stay healthy.

Being the veteran of the bunch means being a leader, and bringing the youngsters up to speed. In Barthel’s mind, Johnson checks all of the boxes, and brings credibility to Nebraska’s running back room. Bottom line, Barthel is confident that he finally has the pieces in place to make his unit a team strength instead of a liability, and unleashing Johnson will start the process.