Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson was named first-team All-American by The Sporting News Wednesday. He’s the 97th Cornhusker ever to earn first-team honors, combining for 111 first-team selections. He’s the first Nebraska player to earn first-team recognition since LaVonte David in 2011, and the first NU running back to be named first-team All-American since Mike Rozier in 1983.
Johnson rushed for 1,451 yards, including eight games with over 100 rushing yards. Six of those eight came in Big Ten play. He led the Big Ten with 120.9 rushing yards per game, ranking fourth nationally. He also led the nation in receptions by a running back with 46. He and Penn State’s SaQuon Barkley are the only Big Ten running backs the last 20 years to gain 1,400 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards in a season.