Emmett Johnson’s season wasn’t just good - it was historic. The Nebraska running back capped off his breakout 2025 campaign by being named a first-team All-American all-purpose back by The Sporting News on Wednesday, adding yet another major accolade to an already crowded trophy case.
This latest honor adds to a growing list of postseason recognition. Johnson has already earned first-team All-America nods from Sports Illustrated (as a running back), On3 (all-purpose), and CBS Sports.com (all-purpose). He’s also picked up second-team honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press, The Athletic, and USA Today.
With these accolades, Johnson becomes the 97th player in Nebraska history to earn first-team All-America recognition - a milestone that speaks to the program’s rich legacy. His selection marks Nebraska’s first first-team All-American since linebacker Lavonte David in 2011, and the first Husker running back to earn that honor since Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier in 1983. That's elite company, and Johnson’s name now stands alongside some of the most iconic figures in Cornhuskers history.
And make no mistake - this season, Johnson earned every bit of that recognition.
He rushed for 1,451 yards, a total that lands him in the top 10 all-time for a single season in Nebraska history and stands as the program’s highest rushing total since 2014. He cracked the 100-yard mark in eight games, including six times in Big Ten play. His 120.9 rushing yards per game led the conference and ranked fourth nationally - a testament to both his consistency and explosiveness.
But Johnson wasn’t just a threat on the ground. He led all FBS running backs with 46 receptions, adding 370 receiving yards to his résumé.
That versatility pushed his yards from scrimmage average to 151.8 per game, the best mark in the nation. Whether it was between the tackles, outside the numbers, or catching passes out of the backfield, Johnson was a matchup nightmare from start to finish.
His all-around production puts him in rare air - not just in Nebraska lore, but in Big Ten history. Since 1956, only seven Big Ten players have posted 1,400 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards in a single season.
Over the last two decades, only Johnson and Saquon Barkley (2015) have hit those marks. That’s the kind of statistical company that turns heads - and cements legacies.
Earlier this month, Johnson was also named the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, adding conference-level hardware to his national recognition. And he’s not done yet - the Football Writers Association of America will announce its All-America team on Thursday, the final major list of the postseason.
Regardless of what happens next, Johnson’s 2025 season is already one for the books. A dominant, do-it-all back who carried the Huskers week in and week out, he’s not just rewriting Nebraska’s record books - he’s reminding the college football world what greatness in the backfield looks like.