College football’s 20 best running backs of 2025

A strong 2025 NFL Draft class for running backs will help make room for some new stars this fall.

These 20 rushers come in all shapes and sizes, and their production was noteworthy last season. They have displayed great vision, quickness, soft hands, and most importantly, a nose for the endzone.

This position is back on the rise, and these players are poised to make a lot of noise this upcoming season.

20. Emmett Johnson, Nebraska: The Minneapolis native split carries with Dante Dowdell last season, but still did damage as an all-purpose rusher. Johnson started five games, plus he contributed in the Huskers’ aerial attack, and caught 39 passes out of the backfield. He rushed for a season-high, 113 yards, to go along with 85 through the air in the victory over Wisconsin. Johnson hauled in seven passes, including a 29-yard touchdown reception at USC. The former three-star prospect left a lasting impression after he rushed for 75 yards, and caught a touchdown pass in the bowl win over Boston College. With Dowdell now at Kentucky, Johnson’s workload will increase in Nebraska’s ground game.

19. Jahiem White, West Virginia: Although he only started three games last season, and had to split carries with CJ Donaldson, White led the Mountaineers in rushing yards. He rushed for 100 yards, and a touchdown in the win over Albany. The former three-star prospect steamrolled for 124 yards, and a score at Texas Tech. White caught a touchdown, and rushed for another against Iowa State. His 158 yards on the ground in the victory at Oklahoma State were a season-high, and he found the endzone. White also rushed for a touchdown against Pittsburgh, Kansas and UCF. With Donaldson now at Ohio State, White should have no problem eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark this fall.

18. Dylan Edwards, Kansas State: The former four-star prospect is a special teams demon, and one of the most explosive rushers in the Big 12. Although Edwards backed up DJ Giddens last season, he was a weapon on the ground, through the air and as a return man. He even averaged a jaw-dropping, 7.4 yards per carry, and finished second on the Wildcats in rushing yards. Edwards caught a touchdown, and rushed for another in the opener against UT Martin. The 20-year old returned a 71-yard punt for a score against Arizona. Edwards found the endzone in victories over Colorado and Tulane. His 196 yards on the ground, and three total touchdowns in the bowl win over Rutgers were season-highs.

17. CJ Donaldson, Ohio State: The Miami native led West Virginia in carries, and rushing touchdowns in 2024. Donaldson had to split carries with Jahiem White, but made the most out of his opportunities. His 125 yards on the ground against Albany were a season-high. Donaldson caught a touchdown, and rushed for another at Pittsburgh. He rushed for 96 yards, and two scores in the victory over UCF. Donaldson also scored two touchdowns apiece against Oklahoma State, and Memphis. The former three-star prospect caught seven passes for 73 yards at Texas Tech. The 20-year old found the endzone against Penn State, Arizona and Baylor. He’ll be a great addition to the Buckeyes’ backfield.

16. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri: The 19-year old was named the Sun Belt’s Freshman of the Year for his heroics at Louisiana-Monroe last season. After all, Hardy’s 1,351 yards on the ground, and 13 touchdowns, ranked third-best in a single-season for the Ragin Cajuns. He got off to a hot start with 103 rushing yards, and a score in the opening win over Jackson State. Hardy rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns at Arkansas State. The former three star prospect also rushed for two scores, and 105 yards against Texas State. His 206 yards on the ground at Marshall were a season-high. Hardy even eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards against Louisiana, Troy, Southern Miss and South Alabama.

15. Eli Sanders, USC: The former Iowa State Cyclone made some noise down the stretch at New Mexico last season. Sanders rushed for 607 of his 1,063 yards, and six of his nine touchdowns over the Lobos’ final four games. He even averaged a jaw-dropping, 7.2 yards per carry, which ranked second in the FBS. The Californian rushed for 173 yards, and two touchdowns in the win at San Diego State. Sanders rushed for a season-high, 205 yards and two touchdowns against Wyoming. The former four-star prospect also posted two rushing scores against Air Force, Wyoming and Utah State. Not to mention Sanders eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards against Washington State and Hawaii.

14. Carson Hansen, Iowa State: Although the Minnesota native shared the workload with Abu Sma last season, he still led the Cyclones in carries, rushing yards and touchdowns on the ground. Hansen knows how to do damage with his six-foot-two, 220-pound frame, and has a nose for the endzone. He even tied for fifth in the Big 12 in rushing scores. Hansen rushed for 96 yards, and a season-high, three touchdowns at West Virginia. The former three-star prospect left a lasting impression when he caught a touchdown pass, and rushed for 82 yards, and two scores in the bowl victory over Miami. Hansen also generated two rushing touchdowns in wins over UCF, Arkansas State and Utah.

13. Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State: The 21-year old tied for 18th nationally, with 15 rushing touchdowns last season. Hankerson also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in rushing yards. The former Colorado Buffalo rushed for 155 yards, and two touchdowns in the opening victory over Idaho State. Hankerson rushed for 113 yards, and two touchdowns in the win over Colorado State. The Florida native also posted two rushing scores against Oregon and Purdue. His 154 yards on the ground, and three touchdowns at Nevada were a season-high. Hankerson rushed for 121 yards, and a score against San Jose State. He closed out the year strong with 110 rush yards in the finale at Boise State.

12. Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest: Last season he became the Demon Deacons’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2018. Claiborne’s 1,049 yards on the ground were the most by a Wake Forest running back since 1993, and ranked seventh overall in a single-season for the program. He finished fourth in the ACC, and 11th nationally in all-purpose yards. Claiborne even earned third-team, All-ACC honors for his heroics. The Virginia native rushed for 136 yards, and scored three total touchdowns in the win at NC State, which were all season-highs. Claiborne rushed for 127 yards in the victory at Stanford. The former four-star prospect rushed for 113 yards, and scored twice against California.

11. Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech: The 22-year old Yellow Jacket rushed for 1,059 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2023. Haynes has 2,003 yards on the ground, to go along with 16 rushing scores over the past two seasons. He got off to a hot start in 2024, with 75 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in the opening victory over Florida State in Ireland. Haynes rushed for 128 yards, and caught a touchdown in the win over Duke. The former three-star prospect also posted a touchdown catch against Georgia and Vanderbilt. Haynes rushed for a season-high, 170 yards, and two scores against North Carolina. The former three-star prospect left a lasting impression with 136 rushing yards in bowl game.

10. Makhi Hughes, Oregon: The Alabama native is a two-time, first-team, All-AAC performer, after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns at Tulane. Hughes’ 1,401 rushing yards in 2024 were the fourth-best in a single-season for the Green Wave. Not to mention his 15 rushing touchdowns rank third all-time at the program. Hughes rushed for 128 yards, and a score against Kansas State. His 195 yards on the ground in the win at North Texas were a season-high. He also eclipsed the century mark in rushing in victories over Louisiana, UAB, Rice, Charlotte and Temple. Hughes should set the Big Ten on fire, considering the Ducks have produced a 1,000-yard rusher for four-straight seasons.

9. Bryson Washington, Baylor: Last season he became the Bears’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2021. The six-foot, 203-pound Washington is a very physical runner, considering he also excelled at safety in high school. The former three-star prospect emerged out of a crowded backfield, shared the load with Dawson Pendergrass, and still led the Bears in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Washington raised several eyebrows down the stretch in Big 12 play, after he rushed for 818 yards, and scored 12 total touchdown during Baylor’s six-game win streak to close out the regular season. His 196 yards on the ground, and four touchdowns in the victory over TCU were season-highs.

8. Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh: The Miami native is an offensive machine after leading the Panthers in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and receiving yards last season. Reid even tied for first on the team in receptions. He finished second in the ACC, and tied for fifth in the FBS in all-purpose yards. Reid rushed for 145 yards, and a score in the opener against Kent State. The 20-year old generated 148 rushing yards, and 106 receiving yards in the victory at Cincinnati. Reid caught two touchdowns against West Virginia. The former three-star prospect had 155 receiving yards at North Carolina, and 108 against Clemson. Reid recorded 120 rush yards against California, and 169 against Toledo.

7. Darius Taylor, Minnesota: The Detroit native has rushed for 1,785 yards, and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons with Golden Gophers, despite only playing in 18 games. Last year Taylor led Minnesota in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and ranked second in receptions. He rushed for 124 yards and scored three total touchdowns against Nevada. Taylor’s 144 yards on the ground in the victory over USC were a season-high. The former four-star prospect eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards in wins over Illinois, Wisconsin and Virginia Tech. Taylor posted two rushing scores at Michigan, and had two total touchdowns at UCLA. Now he’s due for an All-Big Ten campaign.

6. Quintrevion Wisner, Texas: The former three-star prospect shared the workload with Jaydon Blue last season, but still led the Longhorns in carries and rushing yards. Wisner even finished third in the SEC with 1,064 yards on the ground. He rushed for 118 yards, and a score in the victory over Oklahoma. The six-foot, 200-pounder rushed for 158 yards, and a touchdown against Kentucky. Wisner posted 33 carries for 186 yards at Texas A&M, which were both season-highs. The Texas native left a lasting impression with 110 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in the Playoff win over Clemson. Wisner may have to split carries with CJ Baxter this fall, who missed all of 2024 with a knee injury.

5. Kaytron Allen, Penn State: The Virginia native has 2,010 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Nittany Lions, despite sharing the workload with Nicholas Singleton. Allen led Penn State in carries last season, and posted his first 1,000-yard campaign. He hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass in the opener at West Virginia. Allen rushed for 101 yards against Bowling Green. The 22-year old generated 102 rush yards, and a score against Illinois. Allen recorded 124 yards on the ground, and a touchdown in the Big Ten Championship Game against Oregon, and scored twice against SMU. His 134 rushing yards in the Playoff win over Boise State were a season-high.

4. Jonah Coleman, Washington: The 21-year old rushed for 871 yards at Arizona in 2023. Coleman posted his first 1,000-yard campaign with the Huskies last year. He rushed for 127 yards, and a season-high, three touchdowns in the opener against Weber State. Coleman generated 104 yards on the ground against Eastern Michigan. His 148 rushing yards at Rutgers were a season-high. Coleman rushed for 104 yards, and two touchdowns in the victory over USC. The former three-star prospect also had two rushing scores in the win over UCLA. Coleman even eclipsed the century mark in rushing yards at Indiana. Not to mention he found the endzone against Oregon, Northwestern and Michigan.

3. Isaac Brown, Louisville: The former three-star prospect set a school rushing record for a true freshman, with 1,173 yards on the ground last season. Brown led the ACC, and finished fourth in the FBS after he averaged 7.11 yards per carry. He also ranked 25th nationally in all-purpose yards. Brown even earned second-team, All-ACC honors for his heroics. The Florida native rushed for 151 yards, and a score in the victory at Clemson. Brown rushed for 146 yards, and two touchdowns at Virginia. The five-foot-nine, 190-pounder rushed for a season-high, 178 yards and two touchdowns at Kentucky. Brown also posted two rushing scores in wins over Boston College and Pittsburgh.

2. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: The St. Louis native is a natural at hurdling would-be tacklers, and has a nose for the endzone. Last season Love finished sixth nationally in yards per carry. Love’s 17 rushing touchdowns tied for third-best in a single-season at Notre Dame, and tied for 12th in the FBS in 2024. Not only did he record at least one rushing touchdown through the first 13 games, but Love also finished with 1,125 yards on the ground. He rushed for 102 yards, and two touchdowns against Navy. The former four-star prospect rushed for 137 yards, and two scores against Virginia. His 130 rush yards, and three touchdowns against Army were season-highs. Love had 108 rush yards against Indiana.

1. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State: The former five-star prospect is a two-time, 1,000-yard rusher with the Nittany Lions, despite splitting carries with Kaytron Allen. Singleton has rushed for 2,912 yards, and 32 touchdowns over the past three seasons. He finished second in the Big Ten, and 13th in the FBS in yards per carry in 2024. Singleton ranked fourth in the league, and 20th nationally in all-purpose yards. The 21-year old rushed for 114 yards, and a score in the opener at West Virginia. Singleton rushed for 119 yards, and scored twice against Bowling Green. The Pennsylvania native caught a touchdown in wins over Kent State, USC and Wisconsin, and had three scores against Notre Dame.

Honorable Mention

LJ Martin, BYU: The former three-star prospect led the Cougars in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2024. Martin rushed for 120 yards against Oklahoma State, and 101 at UCF. He also posted a receiving score against Southern Illinois, and Arizona.

Jam Miller, Alabama: Although Jalen Milroe was the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher last season, Miller led the running back room in carries, yards and touchdowns on the ground. His 140 rush yards against USF were a season-high. Miller caught a touchdown against Georgia.

Dante Dowdell, Kentucky: The former Oregon Duck led Nebraska in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last season. Although Dowdell didn’t eclipse 100 yards rushing in a single game, he displayed a nose for the endzone with 12 touchdowns.

Nate Frazier, Georgia: The 19-year old dazzled as a true freshman last season. Frazier led the Bulldogs in carries, and rush yards, despite splitting carries with Trevor Etienne. He rushed for 136 yards, and three touchdowns against Massachusetts, which were season-highs.