While the Nebraska football team added 16 players from the Transfer Portal this winter, the Husker coaching staff knows that fans are nervous about who they didn't add. Despite the departure of All-World running back Emmett Johnson, NU didn't go out and get an obvious starting runningback from the portal.
On Thursday, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen was asked about sticking with what the Huskers have at RB. In no uncertain terms, he made it clear he and head coach Matt Rhule aren't as worried about the situation as the fans and the media are.
"I think you guys are worse than assistant coaches when it comes to we just need to keep adding people," said Holgorsen after a laugh. "There's limitations in how many people you can have on your roster. There still is."
Dana Holgorsen highlights Nebraska football backs who impressed late last season
The Nebraska OC went on to say that not only does he believe the guys in the RB room are better than people think, but there are a couple that could bring some elements NU was even missing in 2025 at the position.
"If you look at the running back room, Mekhi had a great bowl game," Holgorsen said. "He did some things that Emmett can't do and Emmett's going to be so mad that I said that. But he just, he did. His first touchdown, I don't know if Emmett could have got there. And everybody knows how I feel about Emmett."
Nebraska lost 44-22 to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, but the third-year sophomore started the game with a great first drive and finished with 12 rushes for 88 yards and three catches for 43. It was a 38-yard touchdown included in his stats that Holgorsen referenced. Nelson showed some good patience, then vision, shifting through a crease on his left side after starting the run to his right. He then turned on the jets to beat the Utes to the end zone.
Holgorsen has praise for most of the other backs on the roster. Of Isaiah Mozee, he said the freshman was "incredibly powerful." Kwinten Ives, the OC, said "took a step" in December and convinced them they didn't need anyone else. He also believes incoming freshman Jamal Rule could end up being the best of the bunch.
It's impossible to know for sure whether Nebraska was correct in not pursuing a running back in the portal right now. That won't be known until the fall. Dana Holgorsen is quite confident people won't be worried once September arrives.