As the transfer portal continues to churn across college football, Nebraska has been one of the more active programs in the country. Over the past two weeks, the Huskers have added close to 20 players, attacking key needs with a mix of experience and upside.
They've brought in a pair of quarterbacks, bolstered the trenches with three offensive linemen, and stocked up on defense. But there’s one position group that’s been notably quiet: running back.
That’s not by accident.
Despite the departure of Emmett Johnson-who carried a significant load for Nebraska last season-head coach Matt Rhule made it clear during a Friday night appearance on Sports Nightly that Nebraska isn’t likely to dip into the portal for help at the position. And that’s not due to a lack of options out there. It’s because Rhule likes what he already has.
“Obviously, we look through everything,” Rhule said. “We evaluate every position, every guy in the portal. But we like the running back room.”
It’s a vote of confidence in a young, largely unproven group that’s going to be asked to step up in a big way. Leading the charge is Mehki Nelson, who flashed home-run potential in the bowl game against Utah.
He carried the ball 12 times for a career-high 88 yards, showing burst, vision, and the kind of explosiveness that can change a drive in a single snap. Still, Nelson only logged 89 offensive snaps in 2025, so while the upside is there, the experience isn’t.
Then there’s Dante Mozee, a bigger back with soft hands and some shiftiness to his game. Mozee saw a bit more action than Nelson last season, playing 121 snaps, and showed flashes of being a versatile weapon out of the backfield.
Kwinten Ives, meanwhile, played 45 snaps in 2025 after a limited role the year before, but his performance in the bowl game turned some heads. On two critical short-yardage plays-third-and-one and fourth-and-one-Ives got the call and delivered both times.
That kind of trust in the moment says a lot about where he is in his development.
“We’ve been bringing Kwinten along, and now we feel like he can fill some of those roles too,” Rhule said.
The Huskers also have a few fresh faces in the mix. True freshman Jamal Rule, a highly touted recruit, joined the team for bowl practices in Las Vegas and made a strong early impression. Rhule mentioned Rule by name, along with Conor Booth, as part of a “great young group” that’s growing together.
Of course, the room isn’t without its losses. Johnson declared for the NFL Draft, and freshmen Jamarion Parker and Kenneth Williams entered the transfer portal. But beyond those departures, the rest of the group is intact-and Nebraska is betting on internal development over outside additions.
Part of that confidence stems from changes up front. New offensive line coach Geep Wade brings a fresh perspective to Nebraska’s short-yardage strategy-an area where the Huskers struggled at times last season.
Rhule pointed to several moments that came down to inches: the opening drives against Michigan and Penn State, or the late-game decision against USC. In each case, the ability-or inability-to convert in those short-yardage moments played a major role in the outcome.
“Geep brings a different dynamic in terms of the things he likes to do in those situations,” Rhule said.
So while fans might’ve expected Nebraska to chase a veteran back in the portal, the coaching staff is taking a different approach. They’re leaning into their young core, trusting the development pipeline, and investing in a group they believe can deliver-especially with improved play up front.
“When we look at the running back room, we believe in those guys,” Rhule said. “And we’re gonna roll with them.”
It’s a bold move in today’s college football landscape, where portal additions often feel like quick fixes. But for Nebraska, this offseason is about building something sustainable. And that starts with trusting the talent already in the room.