When Emmett Johnson is leaned on by Nebraska football as a workhorse, he delivers. It seemingly took a while for Husker coaches to understand that. When it finally clicked, the nation's leader in total yardage started making his name known on more and more NFL Draft charts.
Johnson came into the season relatively under the radar. He shared time with Dante Dowdell last year, and there was some concern that he wouldn't be able to handle the load all by himself. He's definitely proved he can handle it. In fact, when he's given the chance to show off his workhorse chops, his numbers only get better.
That in turn has gotten the attention of NFL Draft experts. Most recently, ESPN's Mel Kiper put the Nebraska running back squarely near the top of all running backs that will be available in this spring's draft. Of course, to do that, EJ would have to declare, as he's only a junior.
Emmett Johnson impressing Draft experts as he sparks Nebraska football offense
Kiper's latest Mock Draft Big Board pegs Johnson as the No. 6 running back available. This particular Big Board lists the Top 10 players at every position and the Husker phenom is making his presence known.
Johnson is in excellent company. He sits behind only Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, Michigan's Justice Haynes, Jadarian Price (also of Notre Dame), Washington's Jonah Coleman, and Penn State's Nicholas Singleton.
If there is a downside to this list, Kiper's only running back in the top 25 picks is Love. That means Johnson might have to wait a bit, at least until the second day before the Nebraska football running back gets selected.