Scout Notebook: Emmett Johnson Rises Up As Heisman Hopeful

Strike a pose. All the top Heisman candidates are doing it. Meet Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson in this edition of the 'AAF Scout Notebook,' as he headlines a six-pack of top prospects on the NFL radar.

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SCOUT NOTEBOOK: EMMETT JOHNSON STRIKES A POSE

We continue to empty out the notebook on top performers from the weekend that was in college football, with a second edition of the AAF Scout Notebook this week. Yesterday, we highlighted eight players who have earned an invite to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. Today, we shine the spotlight on an additional six prospects who are cementing their names on NFL Draft boards.

Most notably, Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson who has been a linchpin for the Cornhuskers this season. Coming off a career-high 232 scrimmage yards during Nebraska’s 28-21 victory over UCLA, Johnson was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. In doing so, he also became the first Husker running back in school history to surpass 100 rushing and 100 receiving yards in the same game—it was his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the year.

Overall, Johnson leads the nation in yards from scrimmage (1,431), ranks second in the FBS for total rushing yards (1,131), leads the nation with 37% of his team’s total yards and is one of only three players in the FBS with 10 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns. His eye-opening performance had Johnson caught up in the moment against the Bruins, as he struck the Heisman pose, announcing his name to voters and scouts alike.

A fleet-footed, one cut and up type runner, Johnson possesses an ideal frame and a multidimensional game. His body balance, contact anticipation and vision are amongst his most positive attributes but what has garnered pro scouts attention is his pass-catching prowess, along with the ability to do damage with the ball in his hands.

For those who have not taken notice yet, Johnson is surging down the stretch and drew high praise after his latest outing:

“I personally believe Emmett Johnson should be in New York; I think he should be a Heisman candidate. I think he should be a Doak Walker finalist, if not winner. He’s a first-team All-American. What he is doing is fantastic and I hope people appreciate seeing him.” — Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule

“Most of our game plan was to stop 21. He’s a special, special player. We talked about it with the media on Monday, that was most of our game plan, limiting him. They did a good job of game planning him in the pass game. He caught a screen and made an explosive play off of that. I think he is a very special talent. Nationally, they should be talking about him a lot more,” — UCLA Head Coach Tim Skipper

We have included a complete, in-depth scouting report on Johnson below, amongst our latest six-pack of prospects that you need to know for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, just 163 days away!

You will also learn about another runner from the B1G poised for the top 100, a projected Day 3 journeyman wideout who could provide tremendous upside, a first round offensive lineman who has NFL evaluators divided, one half of the best pass-rush duo in the nation and a jackknife linebacker whose motor doesn’t stop, plus insider intel gathered by the NFL Draft Bible scouting department.

PLAYER GRADE KEY: DAY 1 = ROUND 1 || DAY 2 = ROUND 2-3 || DAY 3 = ROUND 4-7 || HPFA = HIGH PRIORITY FREE AGENT || PFA = PRIORITY FREE AGENT || FA = FREE AGENT (TRYOUT)