Emmett Johnson didn’t hear his name called nearly as early as many expected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the former Nebraska running back has made it clear he’s not treating that slide like a setback. He’s treating it like fuel.
Johnson finally came off the board in the fifth round, going 21st to the Kansas City Chiefs, a landing spot that suddenly gives a player who waited much longer than anticipated a real chance to matter. Kansas City has already spent plenty of time talking up what it sees in him, and that belief has only grown even though the team had already traded for another starting running back before the draft.
Johnson has responded the right way. He’s said the right things since rookie camp and again as training camp approaches, but the clearest sign of how he’s handling the draft wait came earlier this month on Instagram.
He posted photos showing off a noticeably strong offseason build, giving Chiefs fans a preview of the version of him that should show up in September. Along with the pictures, he added the line: “How can I lose when I ain’t start with nothing?”
That mindset fits the way Johnson has talked about his draft experience. He’s made it clear he wants to prove he belongs after falling farther than expected, and his final season at Nebraska gave him plenty of evidence that he can do exactly that.
In 2025, Johnson piled up the honors. He was named a First-Team All-American by On3, CBSSports.com, Sports Illustrated and Sporting News, and a Second-Team All-American by Walter Camp and The Athletic. He also became a Maxwell Award Semifinalist, a Doak Walker Award Semifinalist, the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year and First-Team All-Big Ten.
The production matched the recognition. Johnson ran for 1,451 yards on 251 carries and scored 12 touchdowns, giving Nebraska its first 1,000-yard rushing season since 2018.
His yardage total was the highest by a Husker since Ameer Abdullah had 1,611 in 2014. He also made a major impact as a receiver, leading Nebraska with 46 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns.
Those 46 receptions were the second-most in a single season by a Nebraska running back.
Now he gets his shot in Kansas City, where the backfield picture is still unsettled and the Chiefs are searching for the right formula. Johnson has already shown he can turn a draft slight into motivation. The next step is proving that edge translates on Sundays.
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Nebraska Cannot Keep Dodging This Running Back Question Much Longer
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The expectation now is that Nebraska will have to speak publicly about the matter soon, likely in the next week to 10 days as Big Ten Media Days approaches. Until then, the uncertainty lingers not just around Nelsons future, but around what the backfield picture looks like if the Huskers have to keep moving without him. [Read more 🡒]