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Mike Fanelli does an early look and ranks the top 10 running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Which of these players could have a chance of being selected in the first round?
The 2024 NFL Draft class had a lackluster running back unit. Jonathon Brooks was the only running back taken in the first two rounds despite coming off a torn ACL he suffered at Texas.
Furthermore, only four running backs were drafted in the first 100 picks. However, the 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented running back prospects, including at least one first-round selection.
Let’s dive into the top 10 running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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10) Jaydon Blue, Texas
Unfortunately, Texas lost C.J. Baxter to a significant knee injury in August, forcing the team to lean on Blue and Tre Wisner in the backfield. While Wisner led the team with 226 rushing attempts and 1,064 yards, Blue had the most rushing scores, totaling eight. Furthermore, he was the better running back in the passing game.
Blue and Wisner had a similar workload in the passing game, each totaling between 42 and 44 receptions. However, the third-year running back had six receiving touchdowns, including one in the playoff loss to Ohio State. While he won’t be a three-down guy in the NFL, Blue should become an excellent weapon out of the backfield.
QUINN EWERS IN A BUCKET TO JADON BLUE#PMSCFPESPN2 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/Ps2O1PJP7u
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2025
9) Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
No one expected Arizona State to make the College Football Playoffs this year. However, they won the Big 12 and earned a top-four seed. Skattebo played a massive role in the team’s success. After totaling 164 rushing attempts for 783 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023, he had a breakout year in 2024.
The physical runner finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy Award after totaling 293 rushing attempts for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns in 13 games this season. Skattebo led the Big 12 in rushing attempts and yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rush. While some scouts question his athleticism, Skattebo should have a role as an early down bruiser in the NFL.
8) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Tennessee has produced several promising running back draft prospects lately, including Jaylen Wright last year. Sampson broke out in 2024 with Wright off to the NFL, totaling 258 rushing attempts for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the SEC in every category. He finished his college career averaging 5.9 yards per rushing attempt.
Sampson is an explosive runner with excellent vision to set up his blocks. He has elite speed and should run one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the NFL Combine. Scouts will question if Sampson can handle a full workload. However, his lack of wear and tear (462 career touches) will appeal to many in the scouting community.
7) Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Many had high expectations for Gordon this past season. The Oklahoma State star was a potential first-round NFL Draft pick after an outstanding sophomore year in 2023. He finished the season with 285 rushing attempts for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the country in yards and the Big 12 in touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Gordon’s production severely regressed this year. His yards per rushing attempt dropped from a career-high 6.1 in 2023 to a career-low 4.6 in 2024. While he had double-digit rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive season, Gordon went from a clear-cut first-round pick to a mid-round selection.
Ollie Gordon for a @CowboyFB TD! 🤠🙌 pic.twitter.com/ptv0bPZqkY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 2, 2024
6) Devin Neal, Kansas
The Big 12 has several talented running back prospects in the draft this year. Neal didn’t get much national attention. However, he had one of the more underrated college careers. Neal had at least 700 rushing yards and eight touchdowns every season at Kansas. Furthermore, he was outstanding to end his college career.
Last year, Neal had 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. It was his second consecutive year with over 1,260 rushing yards and 16 scores, averaging at least 98.5 yards per game in both seasons. Scouts love Neal’s quick feet and ability to elude tackles consistently. However, some worry about his overall athleticism and speed.
5) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson should have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He had a real chance to be the first running back selected last year after totaling 156 rushing attempts for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games as a junior. However, Henderson returned to Ohio State with the goal of winning the National Championship.
Ohio State came away victorious this year, thanks in large part to their elite 1-2 punch in the backfield. Henderson had 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, his third season with double-digit scores in his career. Furthermore, he averaged a career-high 7.1 yards per rushing attempt. Some believe Henderson could be the steal of the draft.
4) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
After two outstanding seasons at Ole Miss, Judkins transferred to Ohio State last year. He had at least 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns every season of his college career, leading the SEC in yards and scores in 2022 and touchdowns in 2023. Splitting time with TreVeyon Henderson impacted Judkins’ 2024 production. Yet, he was still an elite running back.
While Ohio State’s freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith got most of the media’s attention, Judkins and the rushing attack was the heart of their offense. The superstar had three rushing touchdowns in the National Championship Game win over Notre Dame. Judkins is a physical runner who has no problem running through defenders.
A 3-TD National Championship Performance 🔥
Quinshon Judkins was UNSTOPPABLE for @OhiostateFB 😤#B1GFootball x #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/lDeaBzDLwR
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 21, 2025
3) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Some believe Johnson is the top running back in the draft class, not named Ashton Jeanty. The Iowa star had a solid first two years, totaling 268 rushing attempts for 1,242 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he had a breakout season in 2024, finishing with 240 rushing attempts for 1,537 yards and 21 scores.
Furthermore, Johnson led the Big 10 in rushing yards and touchdowns despite playing in the same conference as several elite running backs. Scouts love his vision and ability to quickly hit the hole with an excellent mix of speed and force. However, the Iowa star lacks elite home run speed.
2) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Hampton is a powerful runner with outstanding short-area burst and explosiveness. The North Carolina star is more of a North-South runner than a guy who will make defenders miss in space with elusiveness. However, he makes up for the lack of wiggle with power and strength to run through tackles.
Last year, Hampton was clearly the top running back in the ACC. He led the conference in rushing attempts (281) and yards (1,660) for the second consecutive season. Furthermore, the North Carolina star had 15 rushing touchdowns in back-to-back years. While he likely won’t be a first-round selection, Hampton should come off the board in the first 50 picks.
1) Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Heisman Trophy Award runner-up had one of the best running back seasons in college football history. Jeanty was outstanding in 2023, leading the Mountain West Conference in rushing attempts (220) and yards (1,347). Yet, he took his game to a completely new level last year.
Unfortunately, Jeanty missed out on breaking Barry Sanders’ rushing record. However, the superstar led the country in rushing attempts (374) and yards (2,601). He also ranked first in the conference with 29 rushing touchdowns. Jeanty is the only running back guaranteed to be a first-round pick this year, possibly coming off the board in the top 10.
ASHTON JEANTY IS UNSTOPPABLE ⚡️@BroncoSportsFB scores a third TD before the half 😤 pic.twitter.com/2Xek565tR5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2024
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