While the Nebraska football coaching staff has outwardly been very confident in its running backs room, the move of Isaiah Mozee from wide receiver to running back tells a different story.
Mozee is a former 4-star prospect from Kansas City who decommitted from Oregon nearly a year ago when his father, Jamar Mozee, joined the Huskers staff. Some changes to the official Nebraska roster on Tuesday included Mozee changing positions. The good news here is that this isn't simply a lack of depth thing.
Nebraska football shifts Isaiah Mozee to running back, expanding options in Rhule’s backfield rotation
Speaking at Big Ten Media Days, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule said Offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and Co. will be creative enough to utilize Mozee in a "multitude of ways. He'll be in the mix with Kwinten Ives, Mekhi Nelson, Jamarion Parker, and others for touches behind Emmett Johnson.
At first glance, Mozee would be the ideal 3rd down back, especially since this will be his true freshman season. There isn't any doubt that he can play. He got a ton of positive comments during spring practice.
This move has apparently been in the works for a while. Another change to the roster showed that the pass-catching now-running back bulked up from 200 to 210 pounds in the last few months.
That makes him heavier than starter Johnson. He's still one of the lighter backs in the room. Hence, someone who might be catching passes out of the backfield more than trying to run between the tackles.
Running the ball isn't a totally new experience for Mozee, which should make the transition easier. In his high school career he tallied 26 carries for 245 yards and 4 TDs according to MaxPreps.
Considering Isaiah Mozee had 173 catches for 2,338 yards and 29 touchdowns, it would seem wide receiver will always be his best position. However, the Nebraska football team is quite a bit deeper in that room than the running back meeting room. So for now at least, that's where he'll classify.