HUSKER FOOTBALL
Marcus Satterfield came to Nebraska with a promise to run the football.
Three months remain until the offensive coordinator can show that element of his offense on fall Saturdays, but he's well aware of how much the run game will mean to his pro-style offense.
"Everything is going to start with winning the line of scrimmage and running the football," Satterfield said in March. "All the different throws and play action come off running the football."
It might take time to improve a rushing offense that, with 123.3 yards per game, ranked 100th nationally a year ago. Nebraska is still searching for its first 1,000yard rusher since Devine Ozigbo in 2018, and there's plenty of hunger and talent inside the team's running back room.
Who left:Ajay Allen (Miami (Fla.).
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Who's still here:Anthony Grant, Rahmir Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr., Emmett Johnson.
Who's arriving:Kwinten Ives.
Post-Spring Summary:A muddled running back depth chart is slightly clearer after redshirt freshman Ajay Allen transferred to Miami. Allen had flashed potential during the 2022 season, but there was no guarantee he'd have a major backfield role in 2023. Allen's departure still leaves four returning running backs and one incoming freshman vying for playing time.
Anthony Grant ran for over 900 yards a year ago, but he started the spring suspended by head coach Matt Rhule for failing to uphold program standards.
To his credit, Grant soon rejoined the team, put his head down and got to work.
While Grant dominated Nebraska's backfield touches in 2022, he faced plenty of competition in the spring. Junior Rahmir Johnson, who held a tertiary special teams role for much of last season, is back in the mix for a bigger contribution on offense.
Redshirt freshman Emmett Johnson is also on the lookout for playing time, but it was Gabe Ervin Jr. who earned most of the praise for his efforts this spring — and may be set for a fall position battle. Stock up: Ervin. The sophomore running back hasn't quite played to his potential yet, but he caught the eye of Rhule in Nebraska's spring practices. At 6-foot and 215 pounds, Ervin has the frame to hold up against a season's worth of body blows. Two years removed from a season-ending knee injury, Ervin said in March that he feels "bigger, faster and stronger" than he did a year ago.
Ervin only has 57 touches in a Nebraska uniform, and his 60-yard effort against Oklahoma last September remains the most productive of his collegiate career. However, look for him to be among the players considered for a single-digit jersey number in the fall — and perhaps a starting role.
Coach Quote:"Gabe Ervin's probably been one of the stars of the offseason, he's one of the fastest guys on the team at 221 pounds and to me, he can hopefully be that battering ram that puts games away."
Post-spring pecking order: 1: Ervin/ Grant, 3: R. Johnson, 4: E. Johnson, 5: Ives.
