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NFL Draft 2026 Running Back Rankings

There’s something timeless about a running back breaking through the line, shoulders low, legs churning, leaving defenders gasping in the turf dust. As the 2025 college football season winds down, the ground game once again proved it remains one of the sport’s greatest equalizers. This includes a loaded group of running backs that each find themselves on the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 rankings list. 

From bruising power runners to explosive open-field scorchers, this year’s rushers took over games, carried programs, and redefined expectations. This year’s group of running backs that capped off big time seasons across the college season includes potential first round pick Jeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Joining Love among the best running backs in college includes Ahmad Hardy of the Missouri Tigers, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Kewan Lacy of the Ole Miss Rebels. 

What separated these backs wasn’t just raw yardage or touchdowns, it was timing, instinct, vision, and toughness. Whether bulldozing in Big Ten snow or sprinting across SEC turf under the lights, these players turned every handoff into a showcase of balance and heart. They didn’t just collect yards; they stole momentum. Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Caleb Hawkins

School: North Texas Mean Green

NFL Draft Status: Transfer portal

Coming up just short of the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 rankings list, it is hard to look past the success Caleb Hawkins had all season.

Hawkins, who like a few of his teammates will look to transfer to a larger power five school next season, capped off the season leading the nation in rushing touchdowns with 25 on 230 carries while also adding 1,434 rushing yards. His low-center balance and relentless drive after contact drew attention from scouts who love his compact, aggressive style. While he didn’t crack the top 10, Hawkins’ consistency and leadership anchored a Mean Green offense that built identity behind his toughness.

Don’t be shocked if he’s a breakout name nationally in 2026 once making the jump to a big time college football program.

J’Koby Williams

School: Texas Tech Red Raiders

NFL Draft Status: Returning To Texas Tech

Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams became a fan favorite because of his slippery runs and field awareness.

While the overall statistics don’t align with some of the top running backs in the country, his game film ranks among the best while splitting carries with Cameron Dickey during the course of the season. Williams capped off his sophomore season rushing for 787 yards on 142 carries while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. In addition Williams posted six rushing touchdowns, two touchdown receptions, 30 receptions and 371 receiving yards while helping the Red Raiders reach the College Football Playoffs.

Williams’ strength lies in his vision, reading defensive leverage before bouncing runs into open lanes. With at least one game left to play this season, Williams will look to add to his already impressive 2025-2026 campaign.

Top 10 Best College Running Backs 2025-2026 Rankings

10. Cam Edwards

School: UConn Huskies

NFL Draft Status: Transfer portal

In the conversation as one of the top running backs on the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 rankings, is the talented UConn Huskies running back Cam Edwards.

Edwards capped off a third straight strong season for the Huskies topping the 1,000 yard mark (1,240) for the first time as well as reaching double digit touchdowns (15). Edwards gave the Huskies real purpose on offense showcasing both his speed and power style running game. His blend of patience and sudden burst turned doomed plays into conversions, often against tougher defenses. Edwards might not have the spotlight of a Power Five star, but he delivered the kind of tape that earns next-level attention.

Like many of the other talented players at smaller schools, Edwards will enter the transfer portal with the vision to increase his draft value during the 2026-2027 College Football season.

9. Cam Cook

School: Jacksonville State Gamecocks

NFL Draft Status: Transfer Portal

The big debate many have on how good Cam Cook is at the running back position is his status playing for the smaller Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

However, it is hard to look past the success Cook had all season while being one of the most dynamic players in the country all season long. However, Cook had success last season playing for a talented TCU Horned Frogs team indicating his potential at the position. UltimatelyCook finished the season leading the nation in rushing yards posting a season high 1,659 yards on 295 carries while also adding 16 rushing touchdowns. Defenders rarely brought him down with first contact, and he showcased improved acceleration on outside-zone plays.

His combination of explosive cuts and sturdy frame made him a nightmare in short-yardage situations while still capable of breaking a big run on any carry. The big season has now opened the door for Cook to make the jump back to a power five school after entering the transfer portal and elevating his draft value next season.

8. Cameron Dickey

School: Texas Tech Red Raiders

NFL Draft Status: Returning to Texas Tech

As you start to look around at the top teams in the country, one trend that was present with many is a strong running back leading the charge on the ground.

However, in the case of the Texas Tech Red Raiders who finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in total yards per game on offense (480.3), the team features two talented running backs with Cameron Dickey headlining the group. The talented sophomore capped off his second season with the Red Raiders rushing for 1,095 yards with 14 rushing touchdowns while helping the team reach the College Football Playoffs.

When momentum swung, Dickey often swung it back with big runs that reignited the home crowd in Lubbock. Despite splitting carries with J’Koby Williams, Will Hammond, and Adam Hill, Dickey still finished the season ranked among leaders at the running back position.

7. LJ Martin

School: BYU Cougars

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Another football program that capped off a remarkable season was the BYU Cougars who finished the season with a 12-2 record and just missed the College Football Playoffs.

With an offense loaded with weapons including quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin, the Cougars stacked up against nearly every team in the Big 12 all season. Martin elevated BYU’s ground game by becoming their offensive anchor. With 1,305 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, he displayed remarkable vision and lateral quickness.

What makes Martin special is his patience, waiting for blocks to develop before slicing through seams. He routinely turned backfield clutter into positive gains, stabilizing BYU’s rhythm. Martin’s poised style and dependable hands also made him a factor in screens and swing passes, solidifying his place among college football’s most complete backs.

6. Wayne Knight

School: James Madison Dukes

NFL Draft Status: Transfer portal

One of the biggest storylines of the entire 2025-2026 College Football season was the success of the James Madison Dukes as they made their first ever appearance within the College Football Playoffs.

One of the team’s key weapons was redshirt junior running back Wayne Knight. Knight capped off a remarkable season posting a career high 1,373 rushing yards with nine rushing touchdowns while also adding 397 receiving yards and one touchdown reception. Knight’s combination of burst and durability set the tone for James Madison’s offense. His ability to read leverage and stay balanced through contact gave the Dukes a reliable workhorse. Knight’s determination between the tackles and ability to gain hidden yardage made him a nightmare for defenses across the Sun Belt.

Despite the success with the Dukes, Knight will look to the transfer portal to help solidify his case next season as one of the best backs in the nation.

5. Kaytron Allen

School: Penn State Nittany Lions

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Among those in the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 rankings, few embodied Big Ten toughness quite like Kayton Allen.

The senior workhorse compiled a second straight season of at least 1,000 rushing yards (1,303) while also posting a career high 15 rushing touchdowns. As consistent as any running back in the history of the program, Allen broke the programs all-time leading rushing mark while reaching 4,180 yards over his four year career. Allen’s powerful lower body made him nearly unstoppable on third downs, often dragging defenders past the sticks.

Beyond his production, Allen’s leadership stabilized Penn State’s attack, bringing balance to their offense despite struggles and the change at the head coaching position.

4. Emmett Johnson

School: Nebraska Cornhuskers

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

Over the course of the 2025-2026 College Football Season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers rediscovered its offensive identity thanks to running back Emmett Johnson.

The talented junior exploded for a career high 1,451 yards on 251 carries with 12 rushing touchdowns while taking over full time carrying duties for the Cornhuskers this season. The big play production didn’t stop there as Johnson also emerged as a prime weapon in the team’s passing attack adding 46 catches for 370 yards with three touchdown receptions. His growth in vision and patience transformed the Cornhuskers’ run scheme into a weekly strength. Defenders routinely underestimated his acceleration, a mistake that often ended with Johnson sprinting past safeties.

With one game remaining on the Cornhuskers schedule, Johnson has a chance to top the 1,500 rushing yard mark while solidifying himself among the best running backs entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

3. Kewan Lacy

School: Ole Miss Rebels

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

In a conference known for future pros, Kewan Lacy carved out a name as one of the SEC’s most creative rushers and top overall running backs in the country.

As Ahmad Hardy made the transfer to the Missouri Tigers, Kewan Lacy made a seamless transfer into the Ole Miss Rebels program without missing a beat. The talented sophomore capped off his first season as the feature back rushing for 1,366 rushing yards on 273 carries while finishing with 21 rushing touchdowns. The emergence of Lacy has been key to the success of the Rebels all season long including their push into the College Football Playoffs.

What stands out is how comfortable he looks catching passes, a dual-threat asset who stretches defenses horizontally just as effectively as vertically. Lacy’s instincts and burst out of the backfield made him an impossible game-plan puzzle for coordinators all season long.

2. Ahmad Hardy

School: Missouri Tigers

NFL Draft Status: returning to Missouri

The SEC’s surprise rushing revelation, Ahmad Hardy combined raw speed with polished footwork to dominate on the ground all season.

Hardy, who made the transfer to the Tigers after a strong freshman season with the UL Monroe Warhawks didn’t slow down despite the loaded defenses within the difficult SEC conference. The talented running back was as consistent as any back in the country posting eight games with at least 100 yards and at least 50 yards in all 13 games played on the season. Missouri leaned on his big-play potential, and he delivered explosive gains repeatedly, ultimately landing Hardy second in the nation in rushing yards with 1,649 on 256 carries as well as tied for fifth in the country in rushing touchdowns (16).

His ceiling remains massive heading into 2026, making him a legitimate Doak Walker contender.

1. Jeremiyah Love

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: NFL Draft

No other player embodied the spirit of the Top 10 College Football Running Backs 2025-2026 rankings like Jeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The junior running back capped off a stellar third season with the team breaking the 1,100 yard mark for the second straight season. Love showcased his potential all season while using a blend of a high football IQ, balance, speed, and explosion to separate from tacklers all across the football field. Ultimately Love finished the season rushing for 1,372 yards on 199 carries while rushing for the third most rushing touchdowns (18) in the country.

The production however doesn’t stop there as the Fighting Irish back added 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdown receptions in the team’s passing attack. All in all it is hard to look past Love as the best running back in the nation.

How would you rank the Best Running Backs in College Football for the 2025-2026 season? Comment below!

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