Star RB Emmett Johnson makes NFL Draft decision

It was not the best end of the season Nebraska footballas they lost three of their last four games to finish the season at 7-5. This led to Matt Rhule is making changes to his staff as they prepare for the 2026 campaign. They will also lose one of their best players as Emmett Johnson announced for 2026. NFL draft.

“To my teammates, thank you for pushing me, believing in me, and fighting by my side every day. The brotherhood we built on and off the field was priceless, and the lessons, memories and camaraderie I will carry with me forever. Finally, Nebraska fans, the best in college football cheers for me, my unwaver.” published in a long letter to fans on X, formerly known as Twitter. “After much prayer and thought, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Thank you, Nebraska. GBR Forever!”

Johnson, a fourth-year junior, had a terrific final season at Nebraska. He ran for 1,451 yards and scored 12 scores. Further, he hauled in 46 receptions for 370 yards and found the end zone three times. He became just the second player in the Big Ten in the last 20 years to reach 1,400 yards and 350 yards receiving, joining Penn State’s Saquon Barkley in 2015.

Nebraska running back is named a first-team All-Big Ten player while also earning the Ameche-Daine Running Back of the Year award for the conference.

“If you’re a really good player, unless you go in the first or second round, you’re probably going to make more money in college than you are at the pro level,” head coach Matt Rhule said of players leaving early for the NFL. “So you’re seeing the number of guys going to the NFL (early) going down. When you go and look at it, even the guys that get drafted, once you get out of college, there’s not a lot of guys — there’s not a lot of football after that. The league is so violent, the league is so tough, that if you can make money in college, then the money is guaranteed at the next level, because the money is not guaranteed at the next level. guaranteed.”

While Rhule didn’t directly address Johnson’s decision, he noted that he would support any decision made by his quarterback. Until then, Nebraska will wait to find out which bowl it’s headed to, with or without Johnson in the lineup.