Emmett Johnson entered the 2025 season with Nebraska as someone whom most analysts wondered about his ability to be an every-down back. After proving his doubters wrong all fall, he'll likely have to do it again in the NFL after a rough showing at the NFL Combine.
Johnson, who was hoping to boost his draft stock this weekend, didn't really show out in any of the events he participated in during Saturday morning's festivities. While some of his accomplishments are solidly middle of the pack, where he might have taken the biggest draft stock hit was running the 40-yard Dash.
The Nebraska star clocked 4.56 seconds in his second attempt at the 40-yard Dash after putting up 4.6 seconds in his first attempt. That time put him 10th (dead last at the time) among running backs working out at the Combine on Saturday.
Nebraska football's Emmett Johnson needs a strong Pro Day after a disappointing NFL Combine
While Johnson didn't put up eye-popping numbers in any of the other events, he performed better, at least getting more into the middle of the pack. His 10-yard split was 1.59 seconds, which tied him for fourth with Wake Forest's Demond Claiborne. EJ jumped 35.5 inches in the vertical jump, which tied for sixth among the running backs, and had a 10-foot broad jump, which put him eighth in his position group.
Despite a less-than-stellar showing, the good news is that the Nebraska star's speed was never seen as the kind that would blow past everyone. Instead, he's much more of a back who can avoid contact and make moves that will get him more yards closer to the line of scrimmage.
It doesn't appear that Johnson hurt his draft stock too much, as he came into Saturday's NFL Combine projected as a backup who could one day grow into a starter.
Johnson still has his Nebraska Pro Day to better show off the talents that do make him special and that allowed him to earn All-America honors while rushing for 1,451 yards on 251 carries with 12 touchdowns and adding 46 receptions for 370 receiving yards and another 3 touchdowns.