Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson was one of 13 players named as a Maxwell Award semifinalist by the Maxwell Football Club as the college player of the year.
Johnson is one of just two running backs among the 13 semifinalists, joining Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. The reigning Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week, Johnson is one of six Big Ten players among the 13 semifinalists, joining Makai Lemon (USC), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Dante Moore (Oregon), Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State).
Johnson leads the nation with 1,431 yards from scrimmage, and is second in the country with 1,131 rushing yards. He has scored 11 touchdowns and has added 36 receptions for 300 yards. The Maxwell Club also honored Johnson as its National Player of the Week for his work against UCLA, where Johnson became the first Husker with 100 rushing and receiving yards in the same game, piling up 128 yards on 28 carries while also adding 103 yards with three catches. Johnson scored three touchdowns, including two receiving touchdowns.