In recent years, the running back position has been somewhat devalued in the NFL Draft realm. Still, the emergence of recent first-round selections like Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson and Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs has begun to shift that perception. Additionally, the resurgence of Saquon Barkley—formerly the No. 2 overall pick—who played a key role in the Eagles Super Bowl victory, has reinforced the position’s significance in the eyes of NFL front offices.
Ultimately, success at the running back position heavily depends on schematic fit. If these prospects land in systems that maximize their skill sets, this class has the potential to make a significant impact. With over 31 running backs invited to this year's NFL Combine, it is impossible to cover them all. However, this list highlights key prospects, with honorable mentions acknowledging those who could provide value in the middle to late rounds in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. Ashton Jeanty
Boise St Broncos | 5’9” / 215lbs
Jeanty is in a tier of his own in this draft class. He is without a doubt the RB1 and the only RB worth a Top 25 selection, in my opinion. The 2024 Doak Walker Award Winner led the nation in Rushing Yards, Touchdowns, and Carries. If that wasn’t crazy enough, thanks to his elite contact balance, durability, and high motor, Jeanty totaled 1,889 yards after contact, which would have still ranked first in rushing and was more than 61 FBS programs in 2024. He set plenty of Mountain West & Boise St. records this season, and while he finished 2nd in Heisman voting, he will surely be the 1st selection for RB in this year's NFL Draft
Top 5 Strengths:
Dual Threat Back
Elite Contact Balance
Great Vision/Patience
Big Play Ability
Workhorse/High Motor
Improvements:
Pass Protection (Size creates slight mismatches versus big pass rushers)
Limited route tree
2. Kaleb Johson
Iowa Hawkeyes | 6’0” / 225lbs
Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson is a bowling ball with legs when it comes to describing his running style. His 1500 yards and 21 touchdowns this season were the driving force for the Hawkeyes offense as Johnson was finally let loose after 2 seasons of flashes during his Freshman & Sophomore seasons. He’s a strong and patient runner who doesn’t have a problem getting physical for extra yardage. On film, he is a big-time threat in the red zone, using his bulldozing running style to break the line and score consistently. He sat comfortably in the Top 3 in terms of rushing yards and touchdowns this season, and with some refinement in the receiving game, I believe Johnson has an upside as a three-down back in the NFL.
Top 5 Strengths:
Elite Vision / Decision Making
Excellent Contact Balance
Acceleration
Bowling Ball Runner
Red Zone Threat
Improvements:
Decent hands but limited route tree
Great acceleration/burst, but his long speed will be a concern
Refinement in pass pro, decent blocker, but will need to anchor down versus NFL competition
3. TreVeyon Henderson
Ohio St. Buckeyes | 5’10”/ 210lbs
An initial 5-star recruit when he came onto campus, TreVeyon Henderson has made himself a decorated back in Ohio State's decorated history, spending 4 seasons with the program. Rushing for 3700 yards and 42 touchdowns in his career, it did not come without a few obstacles, having injuries that caused him to miss games in 2022 and 2023. His two full seasons were spectacular, displaying the ability to be a cowbell back and also share the backfield as well. His vision and breakaway speed make Henderson a home run play threat at any time, which has been evident in his big-play touchdowns, whether it be on the run or in the screen game.
Top 5 Strengths:
Breakaway Speed
Solid Agility
Big Play Ability
Pass Protector
High Football IQ
Improvements:
Durability Concerns (Injury History)
Contact Balance
Patience behind blocks
4. Omarion Hampton
UNC Tar Heels | 6’0” / 220lbs
Hampton has been one of the most effective running backs in his class and, with the right team, has the potential to be one of the best backs out of his class. While his Freshman season was more of a complimentary usage, Hampton was unleashed in 2023 and did not look back, posting back-to-back seasons with at least 1500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. His frame is the size of a standard NFL running back, along with elite contact balance, and the ability to be a dual-threat back proved Hampton could be an RB1 in the NFL. Hampton logged 1200 yards after contact this season, which would have still ranked top 10 in the nation, an extremely impressive feat.
Top 5 Strengths:
Dual Threat Potential
Elite Acceleration
Elite Contact Balance
Good Vision / Patience
Solid Pass Protector
Improvements:
He has a questionable long speed, as he can occasionally get caught from behind
Basic route tree will need to add more to his bag for the NFL level
Old-school running style, relying more on physicality rather than using cuts or lateral quickness.
5. Quinshon Judkins
Ohio St. Buckeyes | 6’0” / 220lbs
Judkins has been a successful product in 3 straight seasons in two different NFL-ready offenses, playing for Ole Miss as a freshman and sophomore before coming over to the Buckeyes to share a room with Henderson and become a National Champion in the process. He’s proven his ability to be both a premiere back, going for 2700 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2 seasons at Ole Miss and then splitting carries, still compiling 1000 yards and 14 scores with the Buckeyes. His speed, lateral agility, and workhorse ability allow Judkins to become an intriguing prospect, especially with his prototype playstyle with the new generation of running backs. I expect Judkins to comfortably become a Top 5 back in his class. He isn’t considered a full-fledged Dual threat back just yet, but I think with refinement in the passing game, he can become a talented back in the league.
Top 5 Strengths:
Dual Threat Potential
Elite Burst out of the backfield
Vision / Patience
Great Lateral Agility
Arsenal of moves to make defenders miss
Improvements:
Ball security
Refinement as a receiver
Lacks long speed; gets caught from behind occasionally
6. Ollie Gordon II
Oklahoma St. Cowboys | 6’2” / 215lbs
While Ollie Gordon’s production this season may have dropped him out of any 1st round contention he had coming into the year, I still believe the colossal RB will be one of the more promising backs in his class especially find he can find the same Ollie Gordon from 2023 where he rushed for 1700 yards and took home the Doak Award. His lateral agility and speed in his large frame make him a rare species we have only seen a few times in the league in recent memory, mixed in with elite contact balance. Gordon has all the traits to be an RB1 in the league. He was an unfortunate recipient of poor offensive line and play calling this past season, which I feel hindered his stats, but still showed flashes of that talented RB of the year prior. He has dual-threat capabilities, with solid hands and route combinations on tape. My gut tells me Gordon’s best football is ahead of him, which is why I will keep him in the middle of my Top 10 throughout the draft process.
Top 5 Strengths:
Prototypical Size / Strength
Dual Threat Potential
Solid Contact Balance
Workhorse Ability
Speed / Lateral Quickness
Improvements:
Refinement in Pass Pro, NFL competition will require Ollie to anchor down
Can be indecisive and get stuck behind the line of scrimmage
7. Dylan Sampson
Tennessee Volunteers | 5’11” / 200lbs
One of the SEC’s best running backs this season, Dylan Sampson, was a workhorse for the Volunteer's offense as he broke out for over 1400 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Before this season, scouts and fans had only seen flashes of Sampson during his Freshman & Sophomore campaign, but once he was given the keys, he did not look back. His speed and lateral agility stand out immediately on film, as he can shift gears on a dime to get upfield. Sampson’s patience and vision are also strong and tangible to his game as he consistently found positive yardage, along with creating home run plays from what seemed like easy stops for defenses.
Top 5 Strengths:
Elite Vision / Patience
Speed / Acceleration
Big Play Ability
Durability (Low usage in 3 seasons)
Strong Contact Balance
Improvements:
Pass Protection needs work if he wants to be a 3-down back
Route Running is not a strong suit but can be refined in camp
8. Cam Skattebo
ASU Sun Devils | 5’11” / 215lbs
Skattebo’s journey to the NFL Draft has been nothing short of special. Earning the Big Sky Offensive Player at Sacramento State before transferring to ASU for his last 2 seasons of CFB, Skattebo finished his Senior year with the Sun Devils 5th in Heisman and showed the nation that sometimes you just need to put your head down and grind to get yourself on the map. Cam’s tape features a plethora of broken tackles and an electric back who creates big plays for himself and his team. His abilities as a receiver stand out on tape as he understands how to find soft spots in coverages and become a safety net for his QB. While there are still concerns in pass protection and ball security, with refinement, Skattebo can become a 3 down back in the NFL at the bare minimum a tremendous RB2 in a committee.
Top 5 Strengths:
Elite Contact Balance
Solid Vision / Patience
Fights for every yard
Grinder
Dual Threat Back
Improvements
Ball Security
Runs upright
He lacks Pass Protection, which could make him a preferred RB2
No long speed gets caught from behind
9. Devin Neal
Kansas Jayhawks | 5’11” / 215lbs
The hometown kid Devin Neal did what most football players dream of: become the man at your hometown college and make it to the NFL Draft. The Lawrence, Kansas native has proved to be a solid athletic running back who can be a terrific addition to an RB room. His athleticism, quick feet, and explosiveness were on display for 3 seasons as a starter rushing for 3,600 plus yards and 41 touchdowns. Neal’s a threat in the screen game, and if he can extend his route tree, he’ll be a tremendous receiving back. He already offers natural hands and is creative in open spaces. With a good NFL Combine, Neal can be a mid-round steal.
Top 5 Strengths:
Dual Threat Capabilities
Natural Hands
Athleticism
Speed / Explosiveness
Vision
Improvements:
Pass protection needs refinement
Will need to improve his inside running; lacks the power to run through gaps
Contact balance is questionable because of undersized frame
10. Brashard Smith
SMU Mustangs | 5'10" / 195lbs
Arguably the most explosive Running Back in his Draft Class, SMU’s Brashard Smith is a true dual-threat RB who can offer a lot of versatility to an NFL offense. He has a wide receiver background, spending three seasons with Miami before moving to the Mustangs offense and transitioning to running back. In his lone season as an RB1, Smith compiled over 1300 yards and 14 TDs on 235 carries, displaying a high football IQ and natural athleticism, adapting to the position so quickly. His 1100 career receiving yards also reassure scouts of his ability to be a natural receiving option on offense, having a seasoned route tree compared to his peers. His quick twitch and speed will be Smith’s bread-winning traits, and if he can put together a strong NFL Combine performance, he can see himself going on day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Top 5 Strengths:
Dual Threat Capabilities
Route Running
Explosiveness / Speed
Vision
Quick Twitch
Improvements:
Slender frame will need to add weight/muscle
Limited RB experience
Ball Carrying, tends to run like a receiver and not an RB
Honorable Mentions:
Trevor Etienne - Georgia Bulldogs
Bhayshul Tuten - Virginia Tech Hokies
Kyle Monangai - Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Marcus Yarns - Delaware Fighting Blue Hens
Jordan James - Oregon Ducks