[See our other Position Unit Rankings here.]

1. Oregon Ducks

The Ducks have Makhi Hughes to step into the void left with the departure of Jordan James. Hughes is every-down back who just might be the next great back to come through Eugene.

While Hughes has the skill set to stay on the field most of the time, he won’t have to.

Noah Whittington gives Oregon the one-two punch to match the look Ohio State offered with their two star running backs last season. Whittington is also speedy and dangerous in the passing game. Da’Juan Riggs and Jayden Limar offer further depth.

The Ducks shouldn’t have a drop off in the backfield anytime soon. Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill are both talented freshmen who could have an impact this fall. They will certainly lay the foundation for the future.

2. Air Force Falcons

Air Force had a disappointing season on the ground last year—well, disappointing by Air Force standards at least. The Falcons still finished the season 10th in the nation on the ground, running for 224 yards per game.

They got it rolling at the end of the year with 302 yards per game in the last four contests, and that momentum should carry into 2025.

The scheme is what makes the Falcons so good on the ground, but they still need the players to execute it and they have a very good lead back in Dylan Carson who should have a breakout season this fall.

Owen Allen and Kade Harris will also see time in the backfield with Harris also being a threat in the passing game. Kade Frew is another back who could make significant contributions, while Terrence Gist is a big back that will fight for the tough yards.

3. Washington Huskies

In November, Husky radio play-by-play man Tony Castricone posted on X that the UW offense next season would be RUN DMC with the the backfield combination of QB Demond Williams and RBs Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed.

With Coleman and Mohammed, the Huskies have a pair of elite RBs. Coleman is a workhorse, but Washington could offer some two-back sets to get the most out of the personnel.

Adding to the depth in the backfield are freshmen Jordan Washington, Quaid Carr, and Julian McMahan. McMahan is a bruiser while Carr and Washington provide track speed.

The UW backfield should be dangerous in 2025.

4. USC Trojans

The Trojans have a pair of home run hitters in Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders.

Last season, Sanders’ nine runs of 30+ yards were the fifth-most in the nation. Jordan was the JUCO D1 offensive player of the year in 2024.

Bryan Jackson did not see a ton of action as a true freshman last season but performed when called upon; he tallied 66 yards on 16 carries in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Those three will headline a deep running back room.

5. Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State will look to replace the production of Cam Skattebo from a season ago. That production will fall on a few players.

Kanye Udoh, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown will all contribute. Udoh, a transfer from Army, is shifty and explosive and could get the bulk of the workload. He also could top the 1,000-yard plateau.

Kyson Brown churns out big plays and is a threat to break one off every time he carries the ball. Raleek Brown is dangerous as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.

It might be a group effort at RB for ASU in 2025, but the Sun Devils certainly have the group that can get it done.

6. Oregon State Beavers

Make no mistake, this Beaver ground attack, and really entire offense, will be driven by Anthony Hankerson. He is a workhorse back and will be on the field for the overwhelming majority of snaps.

But the Beavers RB room is not without depth and talent.

Salahadin Allah had a bit of an up and down season as a freshman last season but showed flashes of the ability he possesses and could be a factor in the passing game.

Marquis Crosby is a transfer from La Tech who should also be able to lighten the load for Hankerson and provide a burst.

7. UNLV Rebels

With the arrival of Dan Mullen in Las Vegas, the focus of the Rebels offense will be the running backs.

And the focal point this season will be Jet Thomas. Thomas finished last season strong and looks poised for a big 2025.

The rest of the RB room will be full of newcomers in the form of transfers Jaylon Glover and Keyvone Lee, plus true freshman Kamran Williams, who enters UNLV as the second-highest HS recruit in program history.

Glover comes from Utah and will compliment Thomas, while Lee, a Mississippi State transfer, is a big powerful back who can make plays in the passing game.

8. Boise State Broncos

Replacing the best back in the country is no easy task, but the Broncos have options in the first season post Ashton Jeanty. The first option seems to be Malik Sherrod, a sixth-year transfer who had productive career at Fresno State.

Sherrod’s 2024 season was cut short due to injuries but he is a nimble back who can produce in the passing game as well as on the ground. The All-MW honoree should be able to step into the starting role without the Broncos missing too much.

Make no mistake though; this is not going to be a one-horse show in the backfield. Jambres Dubar will offer some size and strength in short yardage situations that you are not going to get from Sherrod as well as changing the pace.

And then there is Sire Gaines. The heir apparent to Jeanty, he ran for 110 yards in his first game as a true freshman before his season ended due to an injury after three games. That injury kept him out of spring practice, but he is the real deal.

Jeanty is gone, but the BSU backfield is still dangerous.

9. Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcat backfield will be a mix of experienced returnees and talented newcomers. Either way, the RB situation in Tucson looks promising.

Kedrick Reescano is the leading returning rusher and should take on a more prominent role in 2025.

Ismail Mahdi is the most versatile of the group and could end up seeing the most reps. The senior ran for over 2300 yards in his two seasons with Texas State while catching 44 passes during his time with the Bobcats.

Quincy Craig is also in the mix as a change-of-pace back. The Cats will have no shortage of RBs in 2025.

10. BYU Cougars

The RB situation in Provo starts with LJ Martin, one of the best backs in the nation. Martin is a big rusher at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. He racks up a ton of yards after contact and is a load to bring down.

The Cougars are not as deep as some of the teams on this list, but Sione Moa has shown some flashes in the past and should be the No. 2 option.

Pokaiaua Haunga gives the Cougars an option in the passing game out of the backfield.

11. Utah Utes

The Utes’ offense struggled in 2024 and the running game was not immune to those issues. This season, Utah has brought in a slew of tranfers to right the ship.

Wayshawn Parker will be the first option. Last season at WSU, he averaged 5.36 yards per carry, nearly two yards more than the Utes averaged as a team in 2024.

NaQuari Rogers will offer an explosive option, while Bryce Duke might be called upon in short yardage situations.

Daniel Bray is a speedster who should see action as a true freshman, he is explosive and could break the long one on every carry.

12. Colorado State Rams

Justin Marshall will see the bulk of the workload and is a proven back who can run between the tackles or stretch things out wide.

Lloyd Avant had a productive freshman season at Tulsa and should provide a spell for Marshall. Vann Schield returns to the Rams after a season with Northern Colorado.

Shield is a tough runner who could be called upon in short yardage situations. Jalen Dupree could see a big bump in production this season and has the potential to be a big contributor.