Phil Steele: Top 25 Freshman Running Back rankings ahead of 2024 college football season

College football analyst Phil Steele revealed his top 25 freshman running back rankings ahead of the 2024 college football season.

You can view Phil Steele’s college football preview magazine in full HERE. It’s a great reference to find the young bucks in college football that could break out right away.

Let’s dive into the top 25 freshmen running backs in college football for the 2024 season, per Steele.

1. Jerrick Gibson – Texas

Gibson should add to a high-quality backfield featuring CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue. He is Steele’s top-ranked freshman back and could see the field rather quickly.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Gibson was a four-star recruit out of Gainesville (Fla.) IMG Academy, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 18 overall prospect in the state, the No. 7 running back in the class and the No. 117 overall prospect in the class.

2. Taylor Tatum – Oklahoma

There’s a loaded backfield in Oklahoma this season but Tatum might be able to crack the lineup, even if it’s under the redshirt threshold. He’s the No. 1 running back in the Class of 2024, so it might be hard to keep the training wheels on.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Tatum was a four-star recruit out of Longview (Texas) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 8 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 running back in the class and the No. 40 overall prospect in the class.

3. Quinton Martin – Penn State

Martin is the first of two Penn State freshman backs in the top 10. Nick Singleton is the lead back, along with Kaytron Allen. But the young bucks could get their chances.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Martin was a four-star recruit out of Belle Vernon (Pa.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 athlete in the class and the No. 99 overall prospect in the class.

4. Nathaniel Frazier – Georgia

Frazier is the second highest ranked freshman back in the class but the Georgia backfield is led by transfer Trevor Etienne. However, there’s no denying the young man’s talent despite a loaded and young backfield.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Frazier was a four-star recruit out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 5 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 running back in the class and the No. 49 overall prospect in the class.

5. James Peoples – Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson already leads the pack, along with transfer Quinshon Judkins. A scary one-two punch. But Peoples might be in that rotation very early this season.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Peoples was a five-star recruit out of San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 18 overall prospect in the state, the No. 8 running back in the class and the No. 119 overall prospect in the class.

6. Kam Davis – Florida State

Roydell Williams is the lead back, but Davis might be relied on to carry a decent load this season. FSU also uses tailback Lawrence Toafili, but Davis could be special.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Davis was a four-star recruit out of Albany (Ga.) Dougherty, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 16 overall prospect in the state, the No. 11 running back in the class and the No. 125 overall prospect in the class.

7. Jason Brown – Arizona State

There are two seniors at the top of the backfield but the position isn’t deep. Brown will have a chance to stand out in camp and make a case to play right away.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Brown was a four-star recruit out of Seattle (Was.) O’Dea, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 18 running back in the class and the No. 251 overall prospect in the class.

8. Jordan Marshall – Michigan

The backfield still has a dynamite RB with Donovan Edwards and others like Kalel Mullings. Marshall will have to find his way through a crowd, but he was a top five running back in the class.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Marshall was a four-star recruit out of Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 4 running back in the class and the No. 87 overall prospect in the class.

9. Dwight Phillips – Georgia

Phillips is in the same boat as Frazier listed above. However, the freshman duo could be a dynamic backfield in a year or two.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Phillips was a four-star recruit out of Mableton (Ga.) Pebblebrook, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 31 overall prospect in the state, the No. 19 running back in the class and the No. 266 overall prospect in the class.

10. Corey Smith – Penn State

As mentioned above, Smith is one of two true freshmen on this roster this year. It could be a battle for carries with Martin listed above.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Smith was a four-star recruit out of Waukesha (Wisc.) Catholic Memorial, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 28 running back in the class and the No. 369 overall prospect in the class.

Top 25 freshman running backs in 2024

11. Caden Durham – LSU
12. Kevin Riley – Alabama
13. Kedren Young – Notre Dame
14. Daniel Hill – Alabama
15. Dilin Jones – Wisconsin
16. Aneyas Williams – Notre Dame
17. Peyton Lewis – Tennessee
18. J’Marion Burnette – Houston
19. Anthony Carrie – Georgia Tech
20. Stacy Gage – UCF
21. Jeremy Payne – TCU
22. Braylen Russell – Arkansas
23. Davion Gause – North Carolina
24. Jordan Lyle – Miami
25. Darrion Dupree – Wisconsin

Despite the rankings, some running backs might play earlier than others and some might struggle while others excel. Either way, it’ll be fascinating to see the young bucks in action.