1. Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame • Junior • 6’0 • 210
Love is widely considered the best running back in the draft after his breakout sophomore season at Notre Dame in 2024. Love displays an elite skill set that will translate to the NFL, showcasing a great blend of speed, power, and vision out of the backfield. Love plays with a lot of power, and while he does not carry a ton of weight, he knows how to use his strong base to generate leverage. Love is easily the best blocker in the class, both in the pass game and in the QB run game. His skills as a blocker are polished, and he gives max effort every snap. Love is a solid pass catcher with good vision, able to hit gaps hard and early with the ball in his hands. While he has good balance, I would like to see him avoid contact a little better, but I’m splitting hairs—incredible RB prospect.
2. Jonah Coleman
Washington • Senior • 5’8 • 225
Coleman is one of my favorite breakout candidates at running back. His strong, stocky build allows him to generate power out of the backfield that few players can match, making him one of the hardest players in football to bring down. He also uses his strong base and power to pass block, making him a valuable asset in almost any situation. He has elite vision, hitting gaps hard and being patient when taking lanes that open in front of him. I have some concerns with Coleman’s lack of speed and struggles with his hands in the pass game. Coleman plays with no fear, and his ability to create offense in a variety of ways should make him a hot commodity in the draft.
3. Jadarian Price
Notre Dame • Senior • 5’11 • 210
Notre Dame has the best RB duo in the nation, and it is not particularly close. Price is an incredible back who would hold even more draft stock if he did not have to share the field with Jeremiyah Love, who is the best back in the nation. Price has all the tools of an elite NFL running back with excellent burst, quickness, and power, making him one of the most well-rounded backs in this year’s draft. Price’s best trait is simply that he has no significant flaws, and his ability to step in for Jeremiyah Love in any situation is immensely valuable. I expect him to have an incredible NFL career, and he will likely be one of the best rotational backs for years to come.
4. Kaytron Allen
Penn State • Junior • 5’11 • 215
Once a four-star recruit in 2022, Allen is the RB2 at Penn State, but he would really start just about anywhere else in the nation. He and Singleton complement each other so well that he stayed. Allen runs hard and has a great frame to be an NFL back. He gets low and is incredibly hard to take down. With his strong frame and base, he is an elite power back who churns his legs and fights for every single yard. He is a potent pass blocker but not as good a pass catcher, which may hurt him, but he is still a quality prospect. He has absolute power and strength, and I look forward to seeing him this season. He’s a real chip blocker who puts guys on the ground with ease. He should be a quality rotation back who can play almost every down.
5. Nicholas Singleton
Penn State • Junior • 6’0 • 220
Singleton is an incredible back who was once the top back in the 2022 class who started as a freshman and had 750 yards and 8 TDs. Singleton has a big frame and is impossible to bring down alone, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. As a sophomore, he broke over 1000 yards and 12 TDs with almost 7 YPA, which is insane. Penn State’s offense has poor structure and play calling, making everything Singleton has done even more impressive. He has great burst, speed, and quickness, which will make him very valuable to NFL teams. He is a solid pass blocker and will throw his weight around to stop rushers in their tracks. He is a patient back who hits the hole hard but will gladly wait for one to open up. This kid is an every-down back who should be one of the first backs taken.
Do all 20
Absolutely. Here’s the full list of all 20 running backs in the same detailed format as the safeties, with height and weight below the name and school line, no page breaks, and no summaries:
1. Jeremiyah Love
Notre Dame • Junior • 6’0 • 210
Love is widely considered the best running back in the draft after his breakout sophomore season at Notre Dame in 2024. Love displays an elite skill set that will translate to the NFL, showcasing a great blend of speed, power, and vision out of the backfield. Love plays with a lot of power, and while he does not carry a ton of weight, he knows how to use his strong base to generate leverage. Love is easily the best blocker in the class, both in the pass game and in the QB run game. His skills as a blocker are polished, and he gives max effort every snap. Love is a solid pass catcher with good vision, able to hit gaps hard and early with the ball in his hands. While he has good balance, I would like to see him avoid contact a little better, but I’m splitting hairs—incredible RB prospect.
2. Jonah Coleman
Washington • Senior • 5’8 • 225
Coleman is one of my favorite breakout candidates at running back. His strong, stocky build allows him to generate power out of the backfield that few players can match, making him one of the hardest players in football to bring down. He also uses his strong base and power to pass block, making him a valuable asset in almost any situation. He has elite vision, hitting gaps hard and being patient when taking lanes that open in front of him. I have some concerns with Coleman’s lack of speed and struggles with his hands in the pass game. Coleman plays with no fear, and his ability to create offense in a variety of ways should make him a hot commodity in the draft.
3. Jadarian Price
Notre Dame • Senior • 5’11 • 210
Notre Dame has the best RB duo in the nation, and it is not particularly close. Price is an incredible back who would hold even more draft stock if he did not have to share the field with Jeremiyah Love, who is the best back in the nation. Price has all the tools of an elite NFL running back with excellent burst, quickness, and power, making him one of the most well-rounded backs in this year’s draft. Price’s best trait is simply that he has no significant flaws, and his ability to step in for Jeremiyah Love in any situation is immensely valuable. I expect him to have an incredible NFL career, and he will likely be one of the best rotational backs for years to come.
4. Kaytron Allen
Penn State • Junior • 5’11 • 215
Once a four-star recruit in 2022, Allen is the RB2 at Penn State, but he would really start just about anywhere else in the nation. He and Singleton complement each other so well that he stayed. Allen runs hard and has a great frame to be an NFL back. He gets low and is incredibly hard to take down. With his strong frame and base, he is an elite power back who churns his legs and fights for every single yard. He is a potent pass blocker but not as good a pass catcher, which may hurt him, but he is still a quality prospect. He has absolute power and strength, and I look forward to seeing him this season. He’s a real chip blocker who puts guys on the ground with ease. He should be a quality rotation back who can play almost every down.
5. Nicholas Singleton
Penn State • Junior • 6’0 • 220
Singleton is an incredible back who was once the top back in the 2022 class who started as a freshman and had 750 yards and 8 TDs. Singleton has a big frame and is impossible to bring down alone, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. As a sophomore, he broke over 1000 yards and 12 TDs with almost 7 YPA, which is insane. Penn State’s offense has poor structure and play calling, making everything Singleton has done even more impressive. He has great burst, speed, and quickness, which will make him very valuable to NFL teams. He is a solid pass blocker and will throw his weight around to stop rushers in their tracks. He is a patient back who hits the hole hard but will gladly wait for one to open up. This kid is an every-down back who should be one of the first backs taken.
6. Roman Hemby
Indiana • Senior • 6’2 • 200
Hemby is a strong runner and a guy I think should move up draft boards this year. Last year at Maryland, he was electric, and this season has looked even better. It will be essential to see how he tests at the combine, but what I love about Hemby is his vision. He sees the field at an elite level and hits the hole quickly. He should be a great back who can take the bulk of the carries for an NFL team. Hemby has a great mentality and is generally a nice guy, and I think he will have a successful career as he continues to work hard. Since his transfer to Indiana, Hemby has looked great, maybe better than he did with the Terps. May be one of the more underrated players in the 2026 class.
7. Robert Henry Jr
UTSA • Senior • 5’9 • 195
Small school running backs are often steals in the draft, and there are plenty of examples of talented running backs who have come out of some of the nation’s smallest programs. I loved Kimani Vidal when he came out of Troy in 2024 and this year he has broken out and shown the Chargers that he is capable of being a starting RB in the NFL. Robert Henry has a lot of traits that I love to see from backs, and offseason testing could have a big impact on his draft stock this offseason. Henry has a compact frame and great balance to make it work. I think he slimmed down for offseason testing, but he will play closer to 205/210. Henry has exceptional balance, and his ability to hit gaps hard and make plays for an offense is impressive. There will be doubts about how Henry’s game will translate to the NFL, but his film is impressive, and I think his athletic ability will show up during offseason testing. Henry is my pick to be this year’s small school, late-round steal in 2026.
8. Jam Miller
Alabama • Senior • 5’10 • 215
Miller made the right decision returning to college after his breakout season in 2024. The 2025 draft class was loaded at running back and flooded with talent from top to bottom, and by waiting a year, Miller gives himself a chance to boost his stock in a slightly weaker draft class. When you watch the film for Alabama, you can see the appeal for someone like Miller, who has a compact build and knows how to use his bowling-ball strength to shake tacklers. Miller can make an impact in the passing game and is a skilled receiver who fights for every yard. Miller has decent vision out of the backfield, which allows him to hit gaps hard and pick up blocks in the pass game. Miller is well-rounded, with potential to be one of the better all-around backs in the draft.
9. Le’Veon Moss
Texas A&M • Senior • 5’11 • 205
Moss is a big back with the length and frame of a WR who was once a four-star, 95-grade recruit according to 247 and was the 5th-ranked back in the 2022 class. But his skill set is fun and could appeal to NFL teams in the later rounds of the draft. His size can hurt him in space, but it really helps him in the pass game, as he is a quality blocker and really strong attacking the man in front of him. He can’t get low well enough, which hurts his run game some and makes it easier to bring him down, but he almost loves contact and fights for every yard he can get. Moss hits the hole a bit slow and can be too quick to bounce outside on runs. I think he’s a better receiver than he gets credit for, held back by the A&M offense, and may look to transfer for his senior year. He has NFL skills. I want to see him put it all together on the field and develop his vision a bit more so he can showcase the bend and movement skills he has. He could be a very solid receiving back.
10. Emmett Johnson
Nebraska • Junior • 5’11 • 200
Johnson entered this season as a prospect many scouts did not have on their radar, as he had yet to have a big season and was expected to be a four-year player in college. But this season, Johnson has broken out in a big way, already surpassing 1,400 yards from scrimmage in just 10 games with the Cornhuskers. Scouts have been impressed by his reckless abandon with the ball and willingness to fight through contact and hit gaps early and hard. He has also improved in the pass game, proving he can be a reliable pass catcher and checkdown option for his quarterback. Johnson has decent speed but lacks elite athletic traits. He also sometimes struggles to find the proper gap early and often feels rushed out of the backfield. With improved patience, he could be a solid every-down back in the NFL. I have the feeling he is an RB2 who can do it all.
11. CJ Donaldson Jr
Ohio State • Senior • 6’1 • 225
Donaldson first came onto my radar when I was watching Zach Frazier in 2023, and number four in the backfield just kept flashing on tape. Donaldson Jr. was once a three-star recruit, and the second he arrived in Morgantown, he was a significant part of the offense. He made the All-Big 12 Freshman Team and proved himself immediately as a big, strong back who is one of the hardest players in the nation to bring down. Donaldson posted 700-plus-yard seasons as a sophomore and junior, but after sharing snaps with Jahiem White, he transferred to Ohio State. OSU lost two running backs to the draft and hoped Donaldson could help rebuild the RB room. Donaldson is a great zone and power runner, but his biggest struggles have come in the pass game. He has potential as a pass blocker but has struggled in the past, and a lack of top-end speed makes it hard for him to create space as a receiver. Donaldson Jr. will likely be an early-down rotation back in the NFL who wears down defenses.
12. Terion Stewart
Virginia Tech • Senior • 5’9 • 220
One of the best power backs in this year’s draft class is Virginia Tech’s Terion Stewart who will come in at just 5’9 but packs a punch weighing in over 220 pounds. In the gaps, this guy is a tank that you do not want any business meeting in the middle of the defense. His ability to get low, explode upwards and forward is elite and there is almost no one who matches his dominating power in this year’s class. Teams will have some concerns with Stewart and his ability to avoid contact in space, but his incredible power is what has caught the eyes of so many scouts. Stewart is a great pass blocker and has good vision out of the backfield. While he is not the best receiver, he is able to be in on passing downs because of his ability to stand up linebackers and pass rushers in the backfield.
13. Jaquez Moore
Duke • Senior • 5’9 • 205
The stat sheet doesn’t tell the whole story about Moore, and he has really impressed me this season with his ability to impact the game out of the backfield as a receiving back. He has excellent movement skills to make an impact in space with the ball in his hands, as well as create separation downfield as a receiver. He has reliable hands in the field, making it easy for quarterbacks to trust him as a checkdown target. One of the most valuable things Moore brings to an offense is elite blitz pickup and pass blocking. He gets low and stands up. A linebacker rushes as well as the defensive tackles, but he holds them off from getting to the quarterback for just enough time. He should be a good complementary piece to an offense.
14. J’Mari Taylor
Virginia • Senior • 5’9 • 205
UVA shocked the world this season by beating Florida State in Charlottesville, and they have since become one of the top teams in the ACC. This, in large part, has been because of star transfer J’Mari Taylor, who came to them from North Carolina Central for his final season of eligibility. Taylor has carried over his success and already surpassed 1,000 yards on the year. He is a smaller back who carries a bit more weight, using his stocky frame to break out of contact and make hard, powerful cuts out of the backfield. He is a solid pass blocker, is subpar as a receiver, but his vision out of the backfield will help him stay on the field consistently. I see him as a potential RB2 at the NFL level who can come on and do it all.
15. Rahsul Faison
South Carolina • Senior • 5’11 • 215
Faison was one of the top JUCO backs in football when he initially committed to Utah State, but transferred to South Carolina for his senior season. He is a twitched-up athlete who is one of the best weapons in the draft at making plays in open space. Regardless of his experience, age, and stat sheet, the athletic ability of Faison has gotten the attention of NFL scouts, and when you see him on film, it is easy to understand why. He has a great frame, standing 5’11” and 215, which gives him strong potential for power and the ability to break tackles through contact. Faison is a great every-down back who I think can play on any down, and in the NFL, I think he will immediately become a great depth back upon arrival.
16. Amari Daniels
Texas A&M • Senior • 5’9 • 205
Daniels has the ideal frame for an NFL running back, being a short but strong, stocky running back with a great base and quickness with the ball in his hands. His stock is hurt somewhat by his inability to find the field in passing downs, as he is an average pass catcher but a poor blocker with his smaller frame and lack of vision. Some of that is due to the A&M offensive scheme, but Daniels struggles to pick up the right guy and only really has a quality cut block. But with the ball in his hands as a runner, he is very skilled. He has great burst and hits the gap hard, and with his size and ability to get low, he doesn’t go down easily. He may need some work with his ball security, as he can hold the ball loose, but he has all the skills I like for an NFL back in the run game. Solid player who deserves a shot as a UDFA at a minimum.
17. Desmond Claiborne
Wake Forest • Senior • 5’10 • 190
Claiborne has what most people would call “elite football IQ” because of his feel for the game and patience. In a very Le’Veon Bell-esque playstyle, Claiborne will bounce behind offensive linemen, just waiting for the play to develop in front of him. If he is put behind a good offensive line, he will be successful, as he is extremely capable of finding the gaps and using his jump cut to hit the hole hard. Claiborne is a subpar pass blocker, and his hands are average at best. He creates separation at times, but a lack of power is concerning in pass pro. Despite not having elite speed or power, Claiborne makes up for his lack of athletic prowess with quickness and great feel for the game. He should be a great rotation back in the NFL that will excel as an RB2.
18. Mike Washington Jr
Arkansas • Senior • 6’2 • 225
A massive running back whose frame is very reminiscent of Arkansas backs who preceded him like Rocket Sanders and Ja’Quinden Jackson. Washington is more like Jackson, where he has the size and power profile, but runs more like a traditional running back who relies on vision and burst out of the backfield to make plays and break longer runs. He has average to above average speed for a player of his size, but his lateral quickness allows him to make hard jump cuts into gaps and break tackles in space. He is not afraid to lower his shoulder and push through a man, but with his size, you would imagine that it would show up more on his tape. I think teams will like his potential, but his weird fit in an NFL offense could cause him to slip.
19. Davon Booth
Mississippi State • Senior • 5’9 • 200
Booth was one of the top JUCO players in the nation when he committed to Utah State, and after his first year with them, he elected to hit the portal and headed to Mississippi State to play in the SEC. Booth flashed several signs, showing great lateral cuts and an ability to read the defensive line and hit the hole early and hard. He has above-average speed, and his quickness allows him to accelerate exceptionally well. Booth will not impress with his power, but he has a great athletic profile to be a rotation back and a solid receiver as needed. I think he will be a great mid-round pick who can rotate in as needed in a variety of roles.
20. Logan Diggs
Mississippi • Senior • 6’0 • 215
Diggs is one of the most confusing players in this year’s class who appeared to be slated for a big breakout year after his incredible sophomore season with Notre Dame in 2022. Diggs proved to be a skilled athlete, with great balance, a strong base and good burst to create plays out of the backfield. He hits gaps hard and is one of the hardest players in the class to bring to the ground. After Diggs’ impressive season, he transferred to LSU where he got fewer touches, but proved to be more efficient on the goal line. At the end of the year, Diggs tore his ACL and then hit the transfer portal again. He found his way to Ole Miss where he only got two touches in 2024 mostly due to the injury. In 2025, Diggs is looking to find more of a role so that he can prove that he can carry the workload of an NFL running back.
