Phil Steele: Top 25 RBs for 2025 NFL Draft ahead of 2024 college football season
After just one running back was selected in the first two rounds of the most recent NFL Draft, plenty of talented ball carriers will return to college football in 2024. All of whom will be looking to build on their draft stock and break out this upcoming college football season.
Rushers who led their conferences or even all of college football return for the 2024 season. But production is not the only thing that’s factored in when prospects are scouted for the next level.
With that in mind, college football prognosticator Phil Steele took an early look at the running back prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft before the 2024 college football season. Check out Steele’s top 25 running back prospects below.
1. Ashton Jeanty — Boise State
Some may be surprised to see a Group of Five running back leading the pack in Steele’s rankings. But those are likely just people who have not seen Ashton Jeanty play football before.
With the importance of versatility continuing to increase at the NFL level for running backs, there aren’t many that compare to Jeanty regarding his impact in the run and pass game for Boise State. Leading the team with 1,347 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in his sophomore season along with being the Broncos’ second-leading receiver with 43 catches for 569 yards and five touchdown grabs to tie the team lead.
2. Quinshon Judkins — Ohio State
Since his true freshman season in 2022, there have not been many running backs who have been able to accomplish what Quinshon Judkins has. And a change of scenery from Ole Miss to Ohio State could help him build on that even more under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
Judkins was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns in year one with Ole Miss. Rushing for 1,158 yards and 15 scores last season to earn his second straight First-Team All-SEC selection as he now looks to take over the Big Ten.
3. Ollie Gordon — Oklahoma State
You could make a strong case that Ollie Gordon should be the undisputed best running back prospect entering the 2024 college football season. Ending last year as the nation’s leading rusher with 1,732 yards and the second-most rushing scores on the season with 21 touchdowns.
Gordon will look to win the Doak Walker Award again this year along with the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Award and a unanimous All-American selection. With a repeat of last year’s breakout season, Gordon could potentially solidify himself as one of the best prospects in the entire draft regardless of position.
4. Omarion Hampton — North Carolina
At six feet tall, 220 pounds Omarion Hampton was one of the most bruising and punishing running backs in college football last season. He may have to do even more of this upcoming season following the departure of quarterback Drake Maye.
Hampton led the ACC with 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground last season to earn First-Team All-American and All-Conference honors. That is production he should be able to build upon as he enters this season as UNC’s undisputed starter.
5. TreVeyon Henderson — Ohio State
Ohio State secures two players in Steele’s top five running backs for the 2025 NFL Draft following Judkins’ transfer decision and TreVeyon Henderson’s return to the Buckeyes. Now, both rushers have the opportunity to help one another shoulder the load and conserve themselves before their NFL careers.
Injuries have impacted Henderson the last two seasons, unable to match his games played or production from his true freshman season year where he played in 13 games, rushed for 1,248 yards, and scored 19 total touchdowns on the year. Judkins could play a major role in Henderson being able to stay on the field in 2024.
6. Jaydn Ott — Cal
Jaydn Ott quietly had one of the best running back seasons in the nation last year. And now in 2024, he’ll look to make sure his name is more well-known as Cal moves over to the ACC.
After rushing for 897 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, Ott upped his numbers with 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season. Also proving to be a weapon out of the backfield after catching 72 passes for 517 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in the past two seasons.
7. Trevor Etienne — Georgia
Travis Etienne was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Clemson. And a breakout season on a new team could lead to his brother Trevor Etienne putting himself in that same conversation next year.
Etienne made the rare transfer from Florida to rival Georgia within the SEC. But 2,381 total yards and 15 touchdowns between the rushing, receiving, and return game during his two seasons with the Gators have many fans in Athens and NFL scouts excited about his upcoming season.
8. Donovan Edwards — Michigan
The College Football 25 cover athlete makes it into Steele’s Top 10 after playing an underrated role in Michigan’s success the past three seasons. With 2024 representing his first year as the full-time starter for the Wolverines after backing up Blake Corum.
In his 38 career game appearances for the Wolverines, Edwards has only made four total starts. But his production is undeniable with 1,662 yards on 294 carries with 15 touchdowns during that span along with 68 catches for 714 receiving yards. Edwards is potentially poised for a breakout season more than any other player on Steele’s list.
9. DJ Giddens — Kansas State
DJ Giddens always made the most out of his opportunities when he touched the field for K-State, averaging 5.59 yards per carry in his career, which ranks No. 3 in program history. But after his first full season as a starter, everyone has taken notice.
Last year Giddens rushed for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns, also leading all Big 12 running backs with 323 receiving yards. Displaying a skillset that there’s no doubt can translate to the NFL if he continues to trend in the right direction.
10. Kaytron Allen — Penn State
Kayton Allen rounds out Steele’s top 10 despite having to split touches with teammate Nicholas Singleton. As the two took the Big Ten by storm in 2022 with breakout true freshman seasons that they’ve continued to build on.
Singleton led the duo with 1,061 yards in that season, but in 2023 Allen led the Nittany Lions with 902 rushing yards. Displaying a skillset that Steele believes is more NFL-ready with Singleton cracking into his Top 15 but not Top 10.
Steele’s 11-25 RBs for the 2025 NFL Draft
11. Makhi Hughes — Tulane
12. Damien Martinez — Miami
13. Devin Neal — Kansas
14. Nicholas Singleton — Penn State
15. Montrell Johnson — Florida
16. Gavin Sawchuk — Oklahoma
17. Phil Mafa — Clemson
18. Ja’Quinden Jackson — Arkansas
19. Kyle Monangai — Rutgers
20. Tahj Brooks — Texas Tech
21. Jo’Quavious Marks — USC
22. Jordan James — Oregon
23. Devin Mockobee — Purdue
24. Corey Kiner — Cincinnati
25. Jarquez Hunter — Auburn