Easily one of the biggest questions facing the Nebraska football team this coming season is "how much production will the Huskers get from its running back room?" That question is even bigger with Mekhi Nelson's arrest, as the program waits to see how that situation resolves itself. A light running back room could be even lighter if he is not able to return to the team.
Even if Nelson sorts out his legal issues and can play in 2026, the Huskers will still be playing with several untested and unproven running backs. However, there is one player at this level who is a bit of a mystery and has so far impressed all onlookers. True freshman RB Jamal Rule had Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen singing his praises in the spring. Now CBS Sports' Brad Crawford has pegged him as one of the Big Ten freshmen to watch.
"Some would say he was overlooked a bit by the elite programs during the recruiting process, but this three-star out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified early as a must-have for the Huskers and checked every box for coach Matt Rhule and his staff," Powers wrote.Â
"Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse were in on Rule as well, but Nebraska won his commitment and may have grabbed an unexpected freshman starter as a result."Â
Jamal Rule could give Nebraska football a freshman answer at running back
"Hoping to prove a point during spring camp, Rule showed aggression and ran hard on every rep. The expectation is that the Huskers will take a by-committee approach in the run game this season following the departure of leading rusher Emmett Johnson, and Rule should get some totes along with Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson."
Some might say that Rule arrives in Lincoln at the exact right time. It's been a while since the starting running back job has been this wide open. The Huskers generally don't anoint freshmen running backs as starters, but they've also rarely seen guys come in with as much hype as he's had, and he's backed it up so far.
Rule was a standout running back for Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina before coming to Nebraska. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards as both a junior and senior at Charlotte Christian. He had 173 carries for 1,362 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, according to MaxPreps. He was also a threat in the passing game, catching 25 passes for 327 yards and one touchdown. As a junior, Rule had 1,236 rushing yards in only seven games, averaging 176.6 rushing yards per game. He scored 15 touchdowns as a junior while adding 12 receptions for 121 yards and one score.
Considering how valuable the Huskers know a running back can be in the passing game, his ability to do an Emmett Johnson impression out in the flat could be a very big deal.Â
For now, it appears the plan for Nebraska is to go with a committee approach. However, if Jamal Rule can show his stuff, he's got what it takes to grab the starting job.
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