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Nebraska Football: Predicting the preseason depth chart at running back

By Danny Jaillet

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 13: Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Maurice Washington (28) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the 4th quarter during a college football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats on October 13, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Northwestern won 34-31 in overtime. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 13: Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Maurice Washington (28) rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the 4th quarter during a college football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats on October 13, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Northwestern won 34-31 in overtime. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 20: Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo #9 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles running back Maurice Washington #28 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 20: Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo #9 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles running back Maurice Washington #28 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Maurice Washington

Devine Ozigbo is out. Enter Maurice Washington. After biding time last season for the starting role, Washington owns the backfield heading into the season. Although that may not be the case by the time preseason ends, the job is Washington’s to lose until further notice. He had several instances in the 2018 campaign where he proved that he could take over the starting running back  duties. Now, is up to him to lead a position group that is teeming with talent but does not have a ton of experience.

Washington carried the ball 77 times for 455 yards and three touchdowns. He made the most of each carry he got, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He also caught 22 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, averaging 9.1 yards per catch. He was a dual-threat running back in every sense of the word and he should really fit well into the starting role for Nebraska football.

In the team’s win against Minnesota back on October 28, Washington rushed the ball 14 times for 109 yards, and a touchdown. If all goes according to plan, he should be able to replicate that same type of effort many times this season. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry. The team will rely on him to be a leader in the offense. Due to his experience within this offense, he should figure to be at the top of the depth chart.

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