Returning | I-BACKS: Imani Cross, Sr.; Murat Kuzu*, Sr.; Graham Nabity*, Jr.; Jordan Nelson*, Jr.; Terrell Newby, Jr.; Austin Rose*, RFr.; Adam Taylor, So.; Mikale Wilbon, RFr. FULLBACKS: Andy Janovich, Sr.; Harrison Jordan*, So.; Bo Kitrell*, RFr.; Mitch McCann*, Jr.
Incoming | I-BACKS: Noah Johnson*, Fr.; Devine Ozigbo, Fr. FULLBACKS: Austin Hemphill*, Fr.
* Walk-on
Departed | Ameer Abdullah
OUTLOOK: Seeing the word “former” next to “Nebraska I-back Ameer Abdullah” is going to take some getting used to. There’s just one name in that category, but the size doesn’t reflect the gravity of Abdullah’s graduation. But alas, forward we look. Considering quarterback Tommy Armstrong’s 705 rushing yards last season ranked second behind Abdullah, the lead spot looks to be open for the taking. The 2014 increase in rushes for Armstrong meant fewer for returning leading rusher, senior Imani Cross, who had his total carries dip by about 11 percent and touchdowns by half, while his average fell to a three-year low at 5.1 yards/carry.
It’s probably a safe assumption that Cross’ downhill running style could be a better fit in Mike Riley’s more traditional offense, rather than zone read offenses that emphasize more lateral quickness. The role of Terrell Newby on the other hand becomes an interesting storyline to watch after he ranked just behind Cross in rushing yards his first two seasons at Nebraska. Riley’s offense has roots in West Coast principles, so past indicators lead us to believe we’re going to see one-back offense
most of the time, with some fullback usage mixed in for zone run plays and power. To be that back, Newby needs to show the ability to be more of an every-down kind of runner that he hasn’t been given the chance to do quite yet. He carried the ball 10 or more times just twice in 2014 behind Abdullah, topping 100 yards in a 16-carry game against Florida Atlantic — 43 of those yards were ripped off in one carry. Cross may fit that mold more, but ran three times or fewer in six of 11 games played last season. Against both Illinois and Purdue however, he carried the rock 20-plus times, gaining 109 yards against the Illini and 66 against the Boilermakers. Both of those opponents however finished outside the top-80 in rushing yards per carry defense.
As for on-field experience, only walk-ons Jordan Nelson and Graham Nabity rushed for Nebraska last year, combing for 15 carries in four games that Nebraska led by at least three touchdowns. Beyond the four rushers to record a stat last season, Nebraska doesn’t have much to go off of when looking to the future of the position beyond recruiting rankings and coach reports. Fortunately for Nebraska, both of those categories have been glaringly positive for sophomore Adam Taylor, who missed last season with a broken ankle after redshirting, and simply hasn’t played much football
at all for three of the last four years. The former four-star recruit
held offers from Alabama, Wisconsin, Florida State, and Baylor among other and likely fits into the downhill, physical running category more akin to Cross than any other back on the NU roster.
Ron Brown said Taylor might literally run through a brick wall, but he saved a comparison to former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier for redshirt freshman Mikale Wilbon, who earned a 2014 offensive scout team co-MVP award during his redshirt season. At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds
, Riley might have flashbacks to his former running back Jacquizz Rodgers from Oregon State. Joining Wilbon as a redshirt freshman among the running backs for Nebraska is Austin Rose, a walk-on from Lincoln North Star High School. Fellow walk-on Murat Kuzu returns for his senior season after missing last year with a leg injury, but has yet to appear in a game. Kuzu practiced with the punt return unit last spring too before suffering the injury.
Nebraska brought in just one scholarship tailback in the 2015 class; Sachse, Texas’, Devine Ozigbo. A late addition to the class, Ozigbo came on board
after Nebraska lost the commitment of Kendall Bussey. With the 2015 walk-on class came another fullback from Gretna, as senior Andy Janovich will be joined by incoming freshman fullback and fellow Dragon Austin Hemphill. Janovich played as Nebraska’s primary fullback last season with Harrison Jordan seeing spot duty in his place while Bo Kitrell redshirted his freshman season and junior Mitch McCann acted as a reserve after switching from linebacker two years ago.
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