A breakdown of the top running backs available, including Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos runs the ball against Tony Rojas #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half in the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona.
The U-T’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL Draft . Here are his top 10 running backs, plus “bonus” players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:Jeanty just had one of the greatest seasons by a running back in college football history, and almost single-handedly carried the Broncos into the College Football Playoff. The unanimous All-American rushed for a nation-best 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns while averaging 7.0 yards per carry. He’s a high-volume playmaker with elite contact balance and vision — he had runs of 50-plus yards in nine of 14 games. He was actually underutilized as a receiver last season after catching 43 balls for 569 yards and five TDs as a sophomore . The Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award winner is a dual-threat who features All-Pro upside at the next level. Jeanty’s size/skill set/production combination is very reminiscent of NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. His five TDs of at least 70 yards in 2024 tied Tomlinson’s single-season FBS record. Jeanty’s 830 touches in three collegiate seasons are a lot, but he doesn’t turn 22 until December, so there’s still a lot of tread on his ultra high-performance tires.Hampton is a bruising, north/south runner who plays with patience and an above average initial burst. The two-time first-team All-American produced 1,726 total yards and 16 TDs his sophomore season with Drake Maye under center. With Maye in the NFL, and his heir apparent Max Johnson knocked out for the season in the opener, Hampton faced defenses geared to stop him with stacked boxes galore. He responded with 2,033 total yards and 17 TDs. It wouldn’t surprise me if a few teams have him as their No. 1 RB considering his size, production and elite athleticism . It’s been almost a decade since we’ve had a running back class this good.Henderson was the top-ranked running back in the 2021 recruiting class. He isn’t a juke machine, but he’s shifty and fast, which can be a problematic combination for defenders. He’s a fearless downhill runner with only two fumbles in 667 career touches, and none since 2022. Henderson has soft hands, and is a terrific route-runner. He’s the best pass-protector in this class at the position, and showed he was also capable of clearing a path on designed runs by QB Will Howard.Skattebo may be the most versatile player in this draft class. He’s a dual-threat out of the backfield. He has 19 career pass attempts. He punted eight times in 2023 and he mixed it up on kickoff coverage last season. The former no-star recruit finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy after producing 2,316 total yards, including a school-record 1,711 rushing yards , and 24 total TDs. The Sacramento State transfer isn’t a burner, but he plays the position with the mentality of a linebacker, challenging the defense to match his energy for the entire game. What he lacks in speed , he makes up for in excellent footwork, contact balance and grit. Skattebo is an experienced route runner capable of running an expanded route tree with reliable hands. He’s also a physical blocker in pass protection, but his eagerness to pancake every rusher occasionally leads to whiffs.Johnson is built to handle an NFL workload. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry in the fourth quarter last season. The 2024 Big Ten Running Back of the Year combines the patience of an ice fisherman with the precision of a train conductor. The Hawkeyes were one of the worst passing offenses in the nation last season, which really puts Johnson’s junior year in perspective. He had 1,537 yards on 240 carries and 21 TDs up against a wall of defenders on almost every down. He has decent hands catching the ball out of the backfield, but there’s a lot of work to do with his technique in pass pro.Judkins is a physical, north-to-south runner with prototypical size and elite athleticism . The Ole Miss transfer scored at least 14 rushing TDs all three years in college, averaging a rushing score every 16 carries for the Rebels and Buckeyes. Judkins is a solid receiver and pass protector, but he lacks elusiveness in the open field. His runs are short on creativity, but he more than makes up for it with tenacity.Tuten, a former no-star recruit, produced position-best results in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump at the combine. He began his collegiate career at North Carolina A&T before joining the Hokies for his final two seasons. Tuten is a home-run hitter who scored 31 total TDs in 24 games with Virginia Tech, including two as a kick-returner. He features a strong, compact frame, and runs with physicality, but he’s an ineffective pass blocker, and must do a better job of protecting the football .Neal is a former three-star recruit who became a four-year starter for the Jayhawks, leading them in rushing all four years he was in Lawrence. He set program records with 4,343 career rushing yards and 49 career rushing TDs, and was voted team captain his senior season. Neal’s compact, runs with patience, and adequate acceleration, but lacks breakaway speed. He’s a playmaker after the catch, but was purely used as a safety valve in college. He’s a willing blocker, but will need to get stronger to excel at it in the pros.Allen was a productive two-year starter for the Orange. He runs too upright at times, and lacks explosiveness, but he’s patient and runs with determination. Allen had 102 receptions the last two seasons out of the backfield, setting school records in receptions and receiving yards for a running back in 2024. He’s an excellent route-runner, who can be utilized across the formation to create mismatches, and takes pass protection seriously. He’s especially adept at reading blitzes, and handling any extraneous pass rushers. Allen was an impact special-teamer as a freshman before becoming a starter.Giddens, a former no-star recruit, features more wiggle in his game than you normally see in a big back. His agility, plus-patience and vision enabled him to consistently produce chunk gains. His school-record 6.55 yards per carry last season topped Darren Sproles’ mark of 6.49 in 2003. You don’t necessarily think burner when you watch Giddens, but he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s an adequate receiver, but there’s work to do in pass pro.2025 NFL Mock Draft: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Abdul Carter top latest three-round projections During his lone season as a starter, Sampson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year after breaking a 95-year-old school record with 22 rushing TDs . He’s smallish, but he features explosive capabilities , and could develop into an asset catching balls out of the backfield. Ball protection was an issue last season — he fumbled in four of the Vols’ last six regular games.Harvey originally signed with Virginia as a dual-threat QB and redshirted his first year. He switched his position to running back after transferring to Orlando, but tore his ACL and missed the entire 2021 season. Harvey was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award last year after finishing sixth in the FBS in rushing yards and tied for fourth in rushing TDs . An FBS-best 23.3% of his attempts last season gained at least 10 yards. His 4.4 40-yard dash ranked fourth among the 24 running backs who ran at the combine. He’s an elusive, versatile playmaker, who protects the ball, but his size could hinder him in pass protection, and raises questions about his durability. He’ll also be a 24-year-old rookie.Monangai is a former three-star recruit who became a productive, two-time captain for the Scarlet Knights. He was the third player in program history with multiple 1,200-yard rushing seasons — J.J. Jennings and Ray Rice were the others. He lacks breakaway speed, but his low center of gravity makes him a hard target to lock onto. Monangai is stout, and he consistently finishes his runs fighting for every possible inch with zero fumbles in 707 career offensive touches. He’s also dependable in pass pro, eager even.The former four-star recruit is a physical runner with a low center of gravity who gets north-south quickly. The second-team All-Big Ten tailback lacks explosiveness, and doesn’t have a second gear, but he’s efficient and a viable pass protector. He’s also a trustworthy caretaker of the football — zero fumbles on 428 collegiate touches. He played his entire junior season of high school with a torn PCL, but led his team to its first undefeated season and a state title, averaging almost 10 yards per carry.Brooks is a workhorse who led the Red Raiders in rushing the last four seasons, even as a freshman despite missing four games. He produced back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons to cap his collegiate career, rushing for 100-plus yards in 19 of his last 22 games. Brooks consistently produces yards after contact, and has steady hands out of the backfield. He also has a bouncer’s mentality in pass pro. He’s easily caught from behind, but that’s picking nits considering the rest of his profile. Brooks handled a whopping 981 offensive touches the past five seasons.Hunter’s rushing production improved each of his four seasons, and he never averaged below 5.7 yards per carry. He’s powerful, and his weight-room exploits are legendary. Increased patience would benefit his run style, but his 42 attempts of at least 10 yards were sixth-most in the FBS last season. Hunter has the body for pass pro, but he needs to work on technique and his spatial awareness. He had 10 career tackles on special teams as a regular on kickoff coverage all four years.Martinez is a former three-star recruit who spent his first two years at Oregon State before joining the Hurricanes last season. He’s averaged at least 6.1 yards per carry in each of his three collegiate seasons. Martinez is a big back who runs upright, and can be indecisive, but he’s a load to bring down. Almost 40% of his attempts last season resulted in a first down or TD. Martinez was one of the better running backs in pass pro at the Senior Bowl so maybe there’s growth potential there as well.The former four-star recruit at wide receiver spent three years at Miami before joining the Mustangs last season and switching to running back. Smith was selected third-team All-American as an all-purpose weapon and first-team All-ACC after leading SMU with 1,977 total yards — only Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo and Omarion Hampton had more in FBS. He’s undersized, but he’s elusive with good start-and-stop quickness. He produced 19 plays of at least 20 yards last season. Smith will occasionally outrun his blocks, but he’s still learning the position.Blue was the 15th-ranked running back in the 2022 recruiting class. He played behind two very good backs , so there’s not much wear and tear here. Blue is explosive, and a danger to make a house call any time he possesses the football. His size limits him in pass pro, but honestly, if he’s on the field on passing downs, he’s likely running a route. Blue’s ball security issues will need to be addressed in the pros. He has seven fumbles the last two season, including five in 2024.There was a serious drop off from Gordon’s sophomore season where he won the Doak Walker Award, and led the FBS in rushing yards yards from scrimmage , and was second in rushing TDs . The Cowboys’ offense was saddled with a subpar offensive line and bad QB play last season. At his best, Gordon is a big back with nimble feet, who can be used as a blunt instrument and has a nose for the end zone. He catches the ball well and keeps blitzers busy in pass pro, but a lack of patience last year only made a bad situation worse.Edwards was the fourth-ranked running back in the 2021 recruiting class , and while he didn’t meet the high expectations, there’s been flashes through his four seasons in Ann Arbor. He’s the only Wolverine with a pass, run and reception of at least 75 yards in their collegiate career. Plus, his biggest games tended to coincide with Michigan’s biggest games. Edwards was the Big Ten Championship game MVP as a sophomore vs. Purdue and first player in National Championship history with multiple TD runs of at least 40 yards against Washington the following season. He’s also shown improvement in pass pro each year. Edwards suffered a torn patella in his right knee and a broken right thumb in 2022. Both required offseason surgery.After transferring from New Mexico by way of Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt only played in one game with the Wildcats after the NCAA raised concerns about his eligibility. He’s done his best to make up for the lost season with two impressive showings during the draft process. He was chosen Offensive MVP after rushing for 97 yards and two TDs on 11 carries at the East-West Shrine Bowl and had the fastest 40-yard dash and highest vertical for his position at the Big 12 Pro Day. Croskey-Merritt features elite footwork and the creativity to make defenders miss. He was highly productive when he was on the field, but a fraction of his production came against Power 4 competition. Croskey-Merritt will be a 24-year-old rookie.Marks, the 16th-ranked running back in the 2020 recruiting class, spent four years at Mississippi State before joining the Trojans last season. He doesn’t shy away from contact, shows patience and runs with good vision, but he’s more quick than fast. Marks had 261 receptions out of the backfield in the last five seasons, 88 more than any other running back. His 869 offensive touches in college are a lot. Marks turns 25 in December.The former four-star recruit’s brother, Travis, was the Jaguars’ first-round pick in 2021. Etienne spent two years at Florida before joining the Bulldogs last season. There’s upside as a pass catcher, and he’s excellent in pass pro when called upon, but his size and below-average burst lowers the ceiling a bit. Etienne’s age and low mileage will help his cause.“Rocket” was the 14th-ranked athlete in the 2021 recruiting class. He spent three years at Arkansas before joining the Gamecocks last season. Sanders has dropped nearly 30 pounds since his days with the Razorbacks. He was a former wide receiver, and it shows in his ability out of the backfield. Sanders runs with balance, but the nickname isn’t quite apt when it comes to foot speed . He had nine fumbles across 44 career games. Sanders’ durability will be scrutinized. He suffered a torn meniscus in high school, and missed time with a knee injury and torn labrum in college.Mullings was the 10th-ranked outside linebacker in the 2020 recruiting class. He switched to running back late in the 2022 season after Blake Corum suffered a season-ending knee injury. Mullings was selected third-team All-Big Ten after producing 948 rushing yards and 12 TDs as a senior. He’s a no-nonsense bulldozer who wasn’t utilized as a receiver much, and has a lot of work to do in pass pro, but he’s a closer though. He averaged almost 6 yards per carry in the fourth quarter and has zero fumbles in 243 career offensive touches.Commander of Coast Guard base in San Diego permanently relieved of dutiesSan Diego tied for highest inflation in the U.S.Trump administration appoints new U.S. attorney in San DiegoChief of elite police unit killed in hunt for California fugitive in TijuanaWoman’s vehicle discovered in Poway five days before she was pulled from storm drain
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