Nebraska Football: Position Groups that Need to Step Up in 2017

Running back

Terrell Newby was a major bright spot for Nebraska in 2016, especially considering the marginal play of the offensive line. However, even Newby had his struggles (his goal line fumble against Northwestern comes to mind), and the senior won’t be on the roster next year.

The race to win the starting spot should come down to Tre Bryant and Devine Ozigbo, but neither has locked down the lead role.

Bryant showed flashes of brilliance as a true freshman but also had some early-season fumbling issues and averaged a modest four yards per carry on 43 attempts. The talent is there, but not a lot of production yet.

Ozigbo essentially began the year as a co-starter with Newby, but after an ankle injury sidelined him for a few games, he saw the field sparingly even after returning to health. He ended up getting fewer than half the carries Newby received and wasn’t able to average even four yards per rush.

Which of these guys will step up? Can Mikale Wilbon, a former 4-star recruit with speed and agility to burn, finally climb the depth chart? He has been inconsistent so far in his career but is a dangerous weapon when on the field. If Bryant and Ozigbo can’t take control of the top spot, don’t count Wilbon out.

Regardless of who ends up winning the job, one of these guys ideally needs to stand out from the others by the beginning of the 2017 season. It’s time for Nebraska to have The Man at running back again.