Emmett Johnson
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It’s worth wondering if Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will ever lean into the run game like he claims he will in 2026, or like he said he would in 2025.
If he’s going to change his ways this season, it currently looks like he’ll do so with the backfield we saw one year ago, featuring veteran running backs Aaron Jones (on a cheaper deal) and Jordan Mason.
Of course, there’s still expected to be one significant addition at running back before the offseason is over, as the Vikings are reportedly doing a ton of homework on running backs in the upcoming NFL Draft, in two weeks.
While some have suggested the Vikings entertain a trade up the board for Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), a move like that would directly contradict Minnesota’s plan to play this offseason safe, especially when it comes to the draft.
Minnesota Vikings hosting homegrown running back on draft visit
And that’s where former Holy Angels turned Nebraska phenom Emmett Johnson, one of the most prolific running backs in college football the last couple seasons, and a homegrown kid who could fall into the Minnesota Vikings’ lap in the third round, where they hold two picks (No. 82 and 97 overall).
Well, according to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP) on Thursday via Purple Daily (SKOR North) Johnson will be at TCO Performance Center visiting the Minnesota Vikings on Friday.
“Heck I remember him at Holy Angels high school. Emmett Johnson, goes to Nebraska, still upset at the Gophers. P.J. Fleck and company didn’t heavily recruit him. Ends up at Nebraska. [Now he’s] Big Ten running back of the year.
He’s visiting the Vikings tomorrow. I’d be ok with him at pick 97…I’d be ok with him maybe even at 82, but certainly at 97…He didn’t run the fastest combine 40 time, I don’t care. Like, just watch him. He was so fricking good for the Cornhuskers in 2025. That kid makes all sorts of sense.”
Darren Wolfson – Purple Daily
What would Emmett Johnson bring to Vikings?
In his four seasons at Nebraska, Emmett Johnson played 41 games, rushing for an impressive 2,460 yards on 458 carries (5.4 YPC) and 15 touchdowns. He also proved a capable pass catcher, hauling in 85 receptions over the past two seasons, for 656 yards and 5 more touchdowns.
But really, it was Johnson’s Big Ten leading 1,451 yards (5.8 YPC) on 251 carries — to go along with his 12 rushing touchdowns — in 2025 that put the Holy Angels product on this year’s NFL Draft map.
Emmett Johnson Draft Profile Based on Film:
Strength: B+
Athleticism: C for measurables, A for functional
Vision: C+
Elusiveness: A
Speed: B
Receiving: B
Effort/grit: A+
Overall: B+
Pro Comp: Ray Rice (hopefully better decision making)
Best Fits: Cowboys, Seahawks pic.twitter.com/vc3h3Kio1z
— Film Watchers (@Filmwatchers1) March 19, 2026
Related: Vikings Reportedly Interested in Favorite Mock Draft Pick
Of course, there’s a reason Emmett Johnson is going to fall into day two. That 4.56 40-yard dash time, Wolfson noted today on Purple Daily, was the slowest time clocked at the 2026 NFL Combine, among the ten running backs who participated.
Johnson has an impressive motor that could quickly climb the depth chart, if he does land on the Minnesota Vikings roster… which is exactly the type of players acting GM Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O’Connell are looking for in this draft.
Mentioned in this article: Emmett Johnson NFL Draft
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