College Football Player Rankings: Ashton Jeanty headlines On3 Impact Top 10 RBs after Week 6

Week 6 of the college football season continued to show the outstanding quality of play at the running back position during the 2024 season. Some of the nation’s best runners once again had massive performances on the big stage.

With that in mind, On3’s experts took another look at their Top 10 running back rankings, reworking the list and making some changes following the weekend’s action.

There has been some movement, with some of the backs in the middle of the rankings shifting around. But the headliner remains the same: Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

In any case, let’s take a look at the updated Top 10 rankings for the running backs following Week 6.

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

What Ashton Jeanty is doing this season is absurd, perhaps akin to Barry Sanders‘ Heisman Trophy season in 1988. He has already broken the 1,000-yard mark in just five games, and he hasn’t even needed 100 carries to do so.

That’s right, Jeanty is averaging an eye-popping 10.9 yards per carry. He scores so routinely, too, having logged 16 rushing touchdowns through the first five weeks. It’s going to be hard for anyone else to catch him at this point.

2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Perhaps overshadowed a bit by North Carolina’s really tough last three games, Hampton has still been the bread and butter for the Tar Heels offense. He’s averaging more than 100 yards per game, while he’s also turned into a solid pass-catching threat.

Hampton is coming off a 23-carry, 106-yard performance against Pittsburgh. If North Carolina could more regularly build and sustain leads, he’d put up a lot better numbers, too.

3. Jordan James, Oregon

The Oregon running back is filling in quite nicely for the departed Bucky Irving. He has had three 100-yard games at this point and he’s coming off his best outing of the season by virtually every metric.

In a win over Michigan State, James logged 24 carries for 166 yards and a touchdown. That was a season high in both carries and yardage, and the Ducks figure to continue to lean on him going forward.

4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

Judkins isn’t necessarily putting up monster numbers this season but he’s been remarkably consistent and he helps keep the Ohio State offense balanced. That means a good deal, because it allows guys like Jeremiah Smith to operate freely in the passing game.

As for Judkins, he has averaged 7.8 yards per carry and hasn’t rushed more than 14 times in a game. There’s every reason to think with greater usage he could pile up even bigger numbers.

5. Kyle Monangai, Rutgers

In terms of usage, Monangai has one of the heavier rates in the country. He has touched it a minimum of 20 times in every game this season. He’s a big reason Rutgers is off to a 4-1 start this year.

Monangai has totaled 667 yards and six touchdowns, to go along with five catches for 26 yards. He has three 100-yard games and a 200-yard game, ringing up the latter in a game against Akron early this season.

6. Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

There’s consistent and then there’s Brooks. Few can claim the degree of consistency he has displayed so far this season. It’s like clockwork: He’s going to get you at least 100 yards per game.

Through five contests, Brooks has hit the 100-yard mark all five times. He’s logged 124 carries for 679 yards and seven touchdowns, pacing the Texas Tech offense on the ground.

7. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Given Iowa’s challenges offensively, Johnson has been a huge lifeline to the Hawkeyes. He’s able to help them control the clock and lean on the defense and special teams to produce favorable outcomes.

Johnson is coming off his first game of the season without 100 yards rushing, totaling 86 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Ohio State. On the year, though, he’s averaging 7.9 yards per carry with 771 yards and 10 touchdowns.

8. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

The Tennessee running back has been explosive all season long and he seems to have a particular nose for the end zone. Sampson has already accounted for 12 touchdowns this season and he’s had multiple touchdowns in all but one game.

He’s coming off a season-best 138 yards on 22 carries, which included two touchdown runs. Sampson’s also a receiving threat. He has accounted for eight catches for 81 yards so far this season.

9. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Singleton and Penn State were on a bye this weekend, so he’s one of the few running backs on this list not coming off a big performance. In fact, Singleton hasn’t had a 100-yard game since Sept. 7. But his talent is undeniable.

The Nittany Lions tailback is capable of double-digit touches every game, and he’s helped stabilize things for quarterback Drew Allar. On the season Singleton has 53 carries for 408 yards and three touchdowns. he’s also caught six passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

10. Ollie Gordon III, Oklahoma State

Widely regarded as the nation’s top running back going into the season on sheer ability alone, Gordon hasn’t quite put up the numbers this year to back that claim. He’s averaging just 3.8 yards per carry through six games.

Still, as far as usage goes, he’s very reliable. Gordon has averaged 16.8 carries per game. However, he hasn’t scored a touchdown in the last four games and has just four on the season, to go along with 384 rushing yards. He does have 15 catches for 88 yards.