Johnson Earns First-Team All-America Honor at University of Nebraska
Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson has reached a significant milestone in his athletic career. He has earned his first-team All-America honor at the University of Nebraska, recognizing his exceptional performance during the 2025 season.
Johnson’s Recognition as a First-Team All-American
On a recent Wednesday, Johnson was honored as a first-team All-American all-purpose back by The Sporting News. This accolade adds to a growing list of honors he has received over the past few weeks. Not only did Johnson earn recognition from The Sporting News, but he was also named a first-team All-America player by several other outlets, including:
- Sports Illustrated (RB)
- On3 (All-Purpose)
- CBS Sports.com (All-Purpose)
In addition to his first-team selections, he received second-team All-America honors from multiple organizations, such as the Walter Camp Football Foundation and USA Today.
A Historic Achievement
With these accolades, Johnson becomes the 97th player in Nebraska football history to earn first-team honors. This group of players totals 111 first-team selections. Notably, Johnson is the first Nebraska player to achieve first-team recognition since linebacker Lavonte David in 2011. Furthermore, he is the first Huskers running back to receive this honor since Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier in 1983.
Outstanding Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Johnson had one of the most impressive seasons for a running back in Nebraska’s history. He rushed for 1,451 yards, placing him in the top 10 of the school’s all-time list and marking the highest total since 2014. Over the course of the season, he surpassed 100 rushing yards in eight games, six of which were in conference play.
Leading the Nation
Johnson’s average of 120.9 rushing yards per game led the Big Ten and ranked fourth nationally. He also excelled in the passing game, recording 46 receptions for 370 yards, making him the leading running back in the FBS for receptions. His comprehensive performance yielded an average of 151.8 yards from scrimmage per game, the highest in the country.
Impressive Milestone Achievements
Johnson’s achievements this season place him among elite company within the Big Ten. He is only the seventh player since 1956 to accumulate over 1,400 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards in a single season. Additionally, he shares a remarkable distinction with Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, being one of only two Big Ten players to reach these milestones in the last 20 years.
His All-America recognition comes after being named the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year in early December. The Football Writers Association of America will announce its All-America team soon, finalizing the season’s individual accolades.
