2025 NFL Draft: Running Back Rankings
It will be interesting to see if the deep running back class encourages teams to spend early on the position, or sit back and wait.
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The NFL works in fads. After a decade or so of NFL teams airing it out and slinging it around the parking lot, many have gotten back to the origin roots of the game with a solid ground attack. To this day, the number one formula for winning in the game of football, is a stellar defense and strong ground game, always will be.
Let’s welcome in the renaissance with the record-setting Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. The Heisman Trophy runner-up ran through all terrains required, as he carved up the Mountain West Conference like a butcher without an apron. A compact runner who blends, quickness, agility, vision and burst, Jeanty is projected to become the highest selected running back since Saquan Barkley (Eagles) was chosen as the number two overall selection by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft.
It will be interesting to see if the deep running back class encourages teams to spend early on the position, or sit back and wait, knowing they can still find a bonafide starter in the later portions of the player selection ceremony. While teams have come around on the awakening, there’s not quite a sense of urgency around the league to get one early. That can impact the draft outcome for a prospect in the caliber of Omarion Hampton of North Carolina. A well-rounded, multi-dimensional back with size and speed, he could land anywhere within the top 50 overall picks and it would be well-justified.
No one fumbled away the draft process more than Cameron Skattebo (photo: Arizona State), not necessarily by choice. The bruising Arizona State runner had all the momentum in the world after a near-heroic performance against Texas in the College Football Playoff that resembled a one-man wrecking crew. Unfortunately, the wear and tear of the season would catch up to Skattebo, who had to opt out of the Senior Bowl and was limited at the combine, as well as his pro day due to nagging injuries. Still, it’s hard to ignore the way that he makes grown men look like rag dolls, as he shreds through opposing defenses.
Speaking of the College Football Playoff, who didn’t enjoy watching the Buckeyes one-two punch of Quinshon Judkins (Smash) and TreVeyon Henderson (Dash). Ohio State was able to ride this two-headed backfield monster to a Natty and both runners would appear to have a bright future ahead of them at the next level. Judkins comes in about 20 pounds heavier, while Henderson is a bit lighter and faster but both possess run, catch, block ability.
There are numerous quality running back options that will be available well into Day 2 and even high impact role players who can be had entering Day 3. The list is too long to name but one player we would like to shine the spotlight on is Jacory Croskey-Merritt of Arizona. While he is rarely discussed amongst draft pundits, this is one of the best kept secrets of the entire draft. Croskey-Merritt has one of the more unconventional draft journeys, having begun his career at Alabama State, then New Mexico, before transferring to Arizona, where he ran into uncertainty surrounding his NCAA eligibility status. He would be forced to sit out this past season after participating in the season opener. His performance at both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl was convincing enough to see that he will be an absolute steal.
2025 RUNNING BACK BIG BOARD
RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WING | 40 (10-YD), MPH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE | PROJ
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 5084, 211, 0938, 2968, 7268, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1* (photo: Boise State Athletics)
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, 5116, 221, 0938, 3048, 7468, 4.46 (1.54), 22.70, n/a, 38”, 10-10, 4.40, n/a, Rd1*
Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State, 5094, 219, 0938, 2978, 7378, 4.65 (1.58), n/a, 39.5”, 10-03, n/a, n/a, Rd2
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, 5116, 221, 0928, 3148, 7348, 4.48 (1.51), 22.53, n/a, 38.5”, 11-0, n/a, n/a, Rd2
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, 5101, 204, 0948, 3148, 7618, 4.43 (1.52), 23.38, n/a, 38.5”, 10-08, n/a, n/a, Rd2
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, 5081, 200, 0868, 3048, 7300, 4.42 (1.58), n/a, 35”, 10-04, n/a, n/a, Rd3*
DJ Giddens, Kansas State, 6002, 212, 0928, 3038, 7528, 4.43 (1.53), 22.52, n/a, 39.5”, 10-10, 4.33, 7.19, Rd3*
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, 6010, 224, 0958, 3300, 7848, 4.57 (1.62), 22.22, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd3*
Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, 5092, 206, 0900, 2948, 7278, 4.32 (1.49), 22.86, n/a, 40.5”, 10-10, 4.41 n/a, Rd3
RJ Harvey, UCF, 5080, 205, 0900, 2900, 7128, 4.40 (1.57), 23.07, n/a, 38”, 10-07, 4.34, n/a, Rd4
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona, 5104, 206, 0878, 3158, 7638, 4.45, n/a, 41.5”, 10-4, 4.44, 7.28, Rd4
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech, 5092, 214, 0918, 3038, 7558, 4.52 (1.56), 21.93, n/a, 35”, 10-00, 4.06, 6.90, Rd4
Jaydon Blue, Texas, 5090, 196, 0828, 2978, 7548, 4.38 (1.52), 23.19, n/a, 29.5”, 10-3, n/a, n/a, Rd4*
Damien Martinez, Miami, 5115, 217, 0948, 3048, 7528, 4.51 (1.56), 21.86, n/a, 35”, 10-04, 4.49, 7.16, Rd4*
Donovan Edwards, Michigan, 5113, 205, 1000, 3000, 7458, 4.44 (1.51), 22.44, n/a, 38.5”, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd5
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State, 6013, 226, 0948, 3268, 8000, 4.61 (1.60), 21.75, n/a, 34.5”, 10-0, n/a, n/a, Rd5
Woody Marks, USC, 5101, 213, 0900, 2968, 7178, 4.52 (1.57), 22.41, n/a, 35”, 9-11, 4.24, n/a, Rd5
Kyle Monangai, Rutgers, 5082, 211, 0918, 2878, 7200, 4.60 (1.54), 21.95, n/a, 34.5”, 9-9, 4.32, n/a, Rd5
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina, 6000, 217, 0938, 3218, 7728, 4.46 (1.55), 23.55, n/a, 36.5”, 10-0, 4.49, 7.39, Rd5*
Trevor Etienne, Georgia, 5086, 200, 0968, 2948, 7048, 4.42 (1.51), 22.54, n/a, 35”, 10-04, 4.34, 7.20, Rd6*
Jordan James, Oregon, 5094, 208, 0948, 3048, 7368, 4.51 (1.55), 22.47, n/a, 32”, 09-09, n/a, n/a, Rd6*
LeQuint Allen, Syracuse, 6001, 204, 1028, 3228, 7858, n/a n/a, 35”, 10-0, n/a, n/a, Rd6*
Phil Mafah, Clemson, 6005, 234, 0948, 3200, 7800, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd6
Montrell Johnson, Florida, 5113, 212, 0928, 3068, 7538, 4.41 (1.55), 22.65, n/a, 35.5”, 10-03, 4.29, n/a, Rd6
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn, 5094, 210, 0948, 3000, 7258, 4.44 (1.58), 22.79, n/a, 33.5”, 10-00, n/a, n/a, Rd7
Brashard Smith, SMU, 5097, 200, 0868, 3048, 7400, 4.39 (1.58), 23.27, n/a, 32.5”, 9-9, n/a, n/a, Rd7
Devin Neal, Kansas, 5111, 213, 0848, 2958, 7168, 4.58 (1.59), 21.78, 37.5”, n/a, 10-04, 4.53, n/a, Rd7
Marcus Yarns, Delaware, 5106, 198, 0918, 3218, 7638, 4.45 (1.55), 22.52, n/a, 37.5”, 10-02, 4.43, 7.33, Rd7
Ulysses Bentley, Mississippi, 5097, 201, 0858, 2900, 7118, 4.52 (1.59), n/a, 21.80, 32.5”, 09-09, n/a, n/a, HPFA
Mario Anderson, Memphis, 5080, 202, 0918, 2928, 6958, 4.58, n/a, 35.5”, 10-0, 4.28, 7.29, PFA
Nathan Carter, Michigan State, 5092, 200, 0900, 3128, 7478, 4.40, 23, 40”, 10-8, 4.20, 7.15, Rd7*
Kalel Mullings, Michigan, 6014, 226, 1000, 3168, 7800, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd7
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas, 6016, 236, 0948, 3348, 7958, 4.75 (1.64), n/a, 33.5”, 10-0, 4.48, 7.19, HPFA
Tre Stewart, Jacksonville State, 5087, 186, 0938, 3038, 7200, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA
Corey Kiner, Cincinnati, 5085, 209, 0768, 3048, 7548, 4.57 (1.59), 22.17, n/a, n/a, 4.44, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA
Micah Bernard, Utah, 5100, 206, 0928, 3158, 7528, 4.58, n/a, 38.5”, 10-6, 4.37, 7.39, HPFA
Penny Boone, UCF, 5115, 226, 0868, 3128, 7658, 4.70 (1.62), n/a, 30”, 9-2, 4.36, 6.93, PFA
Quinton Cooley, Liberty, 5074, 209, 0848, 2968, 7138, 4.71, n/a, 32.5”, n/a, 4.42, 7.34, PFA
Sone Ntoh, Monmouth, 5110, 220, 0900, 3078, 7500, 4.50, n/a, 38.5”, 10-1, 4.40, 7.31, PFA
Marquez Cooper, San Diego State, 5062, 198, 0878, 2900, 6900, 4.97, n/a, 28”, 8-8, 4.58, 7.34, PFA
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Dynamic dive into a position that is regaining respect and will be a major factor against defenses geared to cover the width and depth of the field against multiple receivers. Good running backs will require more attention. The strategic pendulum is swinging on both sides of the ball. Ric’s breakdown of this RB class does more than recite their college achievements. It tracks them up to now, in detail. A must read going into the draft.