Running back is one of the positions at Nebraska that will always be in the spotlight. That should be expected given the history of great running backs at the school. The Huskers have worked hard at restocking the running back room over the last few cycles. Running backs coach Ryan Held holds his group to a high standard, understanding how important the group is.
The Huskers have taken some big swings at running backs that didn’t always pan out. Greg Bell and Maurice Washington immediately come to mind in that case. The staff has helped send a back out on a high note though: Devine Ozigbo. He’s been the team’s best running back to date under Coach Scott Frost. Dedrick Mills has the look of a potential breakout year in 2020. We are waiting on young players Rahmir Johnson, Ronald Thompkins, Sevion Moorison and Marvin Scott to show what they can do.
Nebraska picked up its first running back commit of the 2021 cycle when Gabe Ervin joined the class. The Georgia native is much closer to Mills’ style and skillset than Johnson. Because of that, a question remains for the second back in the 2021 class. Do the Huskers want another all-around stouter back or a home run hitter? The Huskers need to add a second back in this class as insurance for redshirt freshman running back Ronald Thompkins. The talented runner is working back but there will be questions surrounding his health until he can stay on the field.
Let’s take a look at a few names still left on the board.
Tavierre Dunlap
Dunlap has been one of the hottest recruits in the country during the extended dead period. He continues to rack up offers from all over the country as more teams see his film. As a junior he rushed for 1,341 yards and 20 scores. Standing at 6-foot, 195 pounds, he has a good size and speed combination. Dunlap is also from Texas so landing another Texan in the class would be a bonus for the Huskers.
Audric Estime
There aren’t many running backs in the country that I am higher on than the New Jersey native. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Estime is physically ready to play college football right now.
It’s only a matter of time, until then we working… pic.twitter.com/stbhmc69KN
— Audric Estime ² (@AudricEstime) June 9, 2020
As a junior he posted 1,190 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s a physical downhill runner that does not go down easy on first contact. It will be hard to pull him away from Rutgers as Greg Schiano tries to get the program off the ground there. It’s worth it for Nebraska to keep trying though since he has the potential to be a multi-year starter in the Big Ten.
Caleb Berry
Berry (6-0, 210) is another Texan on this list of running backs that the Huskers are pursuing. He is unique because he got to visit Nebraska back in January before COVID-19 shut things down. Both his parents were with him on the trip to Nebraska. All three were struck by the academic support provided at Nebraska. The style of offense Nebraska plays is different than what Berry is used to in high school. Yet, he could see himself flourishing in Nebraska’s attack.
Great jr day,I’ll be back soon! pic.twitter.com/NhuTicZnOX
— Cbezzy (@Caleb28berry) January 26, 2020
Berry is still in contact with Nebraska and would like to take an official visit if things open back up.
Amari Daniels
Daniels is proably the longest shot to land in Lincoln on this list. Still, the Huskers have been recruiting him for quite some time now. The 5-foot-8, 194-pound 4-star holds offers from some of the top schools in the country. He has a top four of Nebraska, Georgia, Penn State and Texas A&M. The Aggies seem to hold the lead for the speedster from Miami.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
