Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson, a Minneapolis native and former Holy Angels standout, was named the Big Ten’s Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year on Thursday as the conference revealed its award winners and All-Big Ten offensive teams.
Johnson, a junior, rushed 251 times for 1,451 yards, leading the conference by 148 yards over Penn State’s Kaytron Allen. Johnson also was named first-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media members.
For the Gophers, tight end Jameson Geers received honorable mention from both the coaches and media, while guard Greg Johnson received honorable mention from the media.
Seventh-year senior linebacker/special teams standout Derik LeCaptain was named the Gophers’ Sportsmanship Award winner.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza was named Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year. He was named the first-team All-Big Ten quarterback by both media and coaches, with Ohio State’s Julian Sayin named to both second teams.
The Big Ten announced its defensive honors on Wednesday, with Gophers end Anthony Smith named to the first team by the coaches and second team by the media.
Kollock, Lanier entering portal
Gophers quarterback Jackson Kollock, a freshman who redshirted this season, and sophomore wide receiver Kenric Lanier, who had three receptions this season, indicated on social media they are entering their names into the transfer portal.
Kollock, a three-star recruit from Laguna Beach, Calif., will have four years of eligibility remaining while Lanier, of Decatur, Ga., will have two.
