2026 NFL Draft Bible: Running Backs

The Official 2026 NFL Draft Bible Running Back Big Board and scouting reports are now available.

NFL Draft Bible RB Big Board & Scouting Reports Presented By Sports Management Worldwide. The SMWW Sports Media & Content Strategy Course Begins April 13th. This eight-week course is designed to teach you how to create effective team videos, interview athletes and coaches, plus develop unique programming and social content for social media. Led by NFL executive Bryan Harper.

OFFICIAL 2026 NFL DRAFT BIBLE: RUNNING BACKS

The blasphemy narrative that the running back position is not worth utilizing a high draft pick on is hogwash when it comes to the case of Notre Dame superstar Jeremiyah Love. A top five overall talent in this year’s class, Love is a complete three-down back, as a superb runner, pass-catcher and blocker, with prototype size who can change the entire dynamic of an offensive identity. Expect to hear his name called early as one of the first selections of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Fighting Irish had a ferocious one-two punch tandem in the backfield this past year, with fellow running mate Jadarian Price positioned to be the next best back off the board, or close to it. While Price didn’t receive as many touches as Love, he maximized his opportunities with a cunning run style. His vision, speed, cutback ability and willingness to power through tackles for additional yardage makes Price a solid Day 2 option for NFL teams seeking to boost their ground game.

One of the most polarizing players in the draft is Mike Washington of Arkansas. The big-bodied back brings game-breaking speed, while demonstrating patience and vision to burst through the hole in a jiffy. However, his ball security issues could make NFL decision-makers a bit queasy, as Washington struggles as a pass-catcher and coughed up 12 fumbles during his time with the Razorbacks. While the size, acceleration and production are appealing, turnovers are the difference between wins and loses at the ultimate level, making Washington somewhat of a risk/reward selection.

Over in the Big Ten, another dynamic running back duo was busy carving up their opponents as the Penn State tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combined for a remarkable 10,297 all-purpose yards during their Nittany Lions career. Both runners figure to factor into the early rounds but Singleton suffered a setback during the draft process, enduring a broken right foot at the Senior Bowl.

Overall, there aren’t many prospects deemed workhorse backs in this year’s draft but teams should have no problem finding impact contributors who can fit in as part of a rotation well into the middle rounds. One player to keep an eye on is Jaydn Ott of Oklahoma, a projected late round pick by many who could wind up out-producing many of the runners chosen ahead of him.

Below is the Official 2026 NFL Draft Bible Running Back Big Board, along with 30 in-depth scouting reports on the top runners in the draft. For our expanded big board, including verified measurements, be sure to reserve your copy of the Draft Bible here (coming in April).

2026 NFL DRAFT BIBLE RUNNING BACK BIG BOARD

RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | PROJECTION [# = indicates combine invite]

1. #Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, Rd1

2. #Jadarian Price, Notre Dame, Rd2

3. #Kaytron Allen, Penn State, Rd2

4. #Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas, Rd2

5. #Jonah Coleman, Washington, Rd3

6. Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma, Rd3

7. #Emmett Johnson, Nebraska, Rd3

8. #Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, Rd4

9. #Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest, Rd4

10. #Jamarion Miller, Alabama, Rd4

11. #Eli Heidenreich, Navy, Rd4

12. #Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M, Rd5

13. #J’Mari Taylor, Virginia, Rd5

14. Kaelon Black, Indiana, Rd5

15. Curtis Allen, Virginia Union, Rd5

16. #Seth McGowan, Kentucky, Rd5

17. #Adam Randall, Clemson, Rd6

18. Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh, Rd6

19. #Roman Hemby, Indiana, Rd6

20. Dean Connors, Houston, Rd6

21. Chip Trayanum, Toledo, Rd7

22. #Robert Henry Jr., UTSA, Rd7

23. #CJ Donaldson, Ohio State, Rd7

24. Kejon Owens, Florida International, Rd7

25. Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech, Rd7

26. #Noah Whittington, Oregon, HPFA

27. Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech, HPFA

28. #Rahsul Faison, South Carolina, HPFA

29. Barika Kpeenu, North Dakota State, HPFA

30. Lincoln Pare, Texas State, HPFA

31. Jaquez Moore, Duke, HPFA

32. Rashod Dubinion, Appalachian State, HPFA

33. Montie Quinn, Curry, HPFA

34. Leshon Williams, Kansas, HPFA

35. Myles Montgomery, UCF, HPFA

36. Star Thomas, Tennessee, HPFA

37. Noah Short, Army, HPFA

38. Jaden Nixon, UCF, HPFA

39. Daniel Hishaw Jr., Kansas, HPFA

40. Jalen Berger, UCLA, HPFA

41. Ismail Mahdi, Arizona, HPFA

42. Coleman Bennett, Kennesaw State, HPFA

43. Cash Jones, Georgia, HPFA

44. Kentrell Bullock, South Alabama, HPFA

45. Shomari Lawrence, Missouri State, HPFA

46. Davon Booth, Mississippi State, PFA

47. Eli Sanders, USC, PFA

48. Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State, PFA

49. Devin Mockobee, Purdue, PFA

50. Kevon King, Norfolk State, PFA

NFL DRAFT BIBLE RUNNING BACK SCOUTING REPORTS

LOVE, JEREMIYAH | Notre Dame | RB | Jr | #4 | St. Louis, MO | Day 1

Combine: HT: 6000 | WT: 212 | HD: 0918 | ARM: 3200 | 40-YD: 4.36 (1.55)

Evaluation: Coming off a sensational sophomore campaign in which he helped catapult the Fighting Irish into the national championship, Love continued to show absolutely no mercy for his opponents in 2025. The first thing that sticks out about the dynamic runner is his bulldozer size. When combined with his blazing speed (track background), elusive agility and inane leaping ability to hurdle defenders, Love is composed of ideal next level traits, which leaves NFL scouts salivating. What’s even more remarkable is that he accomplished major production, despite splitting carries with backfield mate Jadarian Price. He set a new single-season school record with 21 all-purpose touchdowns (previously held by Jerome Bettis) and had at least one score during the Fighting Irish’ final 11 games this season. One of the safest players in this year’s draft class, Love is viewed as a higher-rated prospect than Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) coming out of Boise State a year ago, who was chosen number six overall. His size, yards after contact, breakaway speed, burst, vision, athleticism, experience and pass-catching ability would seem to make Love one of the few blue-chip caliber prospects in the Class of 2026.

Quotable: “I feel that I’m an every down back. I can do it. I can receive, I can block, I can run and you name it, I’m willing to do anything for any team to have success. But I mean, running backs are very valuable. I feel like that’s just being more and more recognized as of today.” – Jeremiah Love on how he should be perceived

Background: Combine invite. Appeared in 41 games (29 starts) at Notre Dame (2023-25). Finished in third place for the Heisman Trophy in 2025; was also named Doak Walker Award, Disney Spirit Award and unanimous All-American this past year. A consensus four-star recruit and 2022 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. Led Christian Brothers to back-to-back state championships, rushing for 2,287 yards and 26 touchdowns his final two seasons. Also a state champion track athlete in 100-meters with a time of 10.76 (personal best of 22-1 ¾ in the long jump). Son of L’Tyona and Jason; has one sibling, Jaela. His mother served as a sergeant with the St. Louis Police Department, while his father is an Army veteran who coached him in youth football. An avid fan of anime, his love for the genre influenced him to create his own comic book series titled “Jeremonstar,” which details a world of football action with supernatural abilities, featuring himself.

Stats: Played 12 games in 2025, had 199 carries, 1,372 yards (6.9 average), 18 touchdowns; 27 catches, 280 yards (10.4 average), three touchdowns.

Q: Where does sudden elusiveness come from?

A: “I just think of it as just run away from people, or just like playing tag. Like, I don’t want to get tagged, so I’m not gonna let you touch me. That’s kind of where I just got a lot of my elusiveness from. I used to play Sharks and Minnows in little league; you know what that is? Yeah, so it’s a fun game, translated into football and yeah.”

Q: Do you take pride in your blocking?

A: “I mean, nobody’s really beat me in blocking. Like, I pretty much dominated everybody just trying to rush me. I feel like that’s underrated.”

Q: What do you like to do outside of football?

A:”Off the field, I play games, play video games, I watch your anime and that’s about it. So, that’s my way to decompress and take my mind away from the game for a little bit.”

PRICE, JADARIAN | Notre Dame | RB | rJr | #24 | Denison, TX | Day 2

Combine: HT: 5105 | WT: 203 | HD: 0958 | ARM: 3078 | 40-YD: 4.49 (1.61) | VJ: 35” | BJ: 10-4 | BP: 21

Pro Day: HT: 5103 | WT: 208 | HD: 0958 | ARM: 3138 | WS: 7628 | SHTL: 4.25

Evaluation: Pairing with top-runner Jeremiyah Love as ‘Batman and Robin,’ the explosive Price served as one half of the most dynamic backfield duo in the nation. He possesses elite speed, in closed quarters and long, plus the shiftiness to elude defenders. Price blends exceptional vision, patience and cutback ability to burst through the open hole. In addition, he has been very consistent when fighting for yards after contact but more importantly, he does a great job of protecting the ball. The passing game is another key element in his arsenal, as Price runs crisp routes and tends to find bonus yards after the catch. In a game against USC in 2025, Price returned a kickoff for 100 yards to give the Irish the lead. As a kick returner, Price has demonstrated the strength to break tackles but it all starts out with keen decision-making. On the aforementioned kickoff, Price anticipated the lanes and trusted his blocking. In order for Price to really establish himself as a complete back he needs to work on his ability to pass protect. Ironically, he could be in contention to be the next runner selected after Love in the draft.

Quotable: “Very valuable. JD has the opportunity and the potential to be one of the best running backs in the league. As long as he goes into it, with a humble mind and just a hunger to work and just compete. You know, JD, sky’s the limit for JD.” – Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love on Jadarian Price

Background: Appeared in 41 games in three seasons at South Bend; named Third Team All-American in 2025. Missed his true freshman season in 2022 due to a ruptured Achilles. A four-star recruit from Denison High School, where he was a two-time District 7 5A D2 Offensive Player of the Year (2020-2021). In 2021, he was a Texoma Chevy A+ Athlete and a winner of the Dave Campbell Impactful Leadership Award. He is the son of Jessica Butler and has four siblings.

Q: What do you tell NFL teams when they ask about your receiving?

A: “I tell them I do a lot of a lot of hard work and practice, things behind the scenes that you don’t see and the things that me and Jeremyiah did in practice and, just, he had a better knack for it, receiving, so, he was the No. 1 option. We just did so good running the ball that we didn’t need to pass too much.”

Q: Do you think you can make an impact at the next level with the new kickoff rules?

A: “Yeah, the new system the past couple years is pretty weird but, as you saw last season, a couple guys took it to the crib and that gets you excited, like, hey, there is a way to get past that line. And it just takes practice and different, you know, just experience with it.”

Q: Does the topic of fumbles come up when you meet with NFL teams?

A: “Yes and every interview you’re going to go into, they’re going to talk about the good stuff and they’re obviously going to bring up the bad stuff that you need to work on, because at the end of the day, the ball is the program. So that’s what they’re -- that’s what they want to lead with. And they’ve talked about that. And we’ve gone over the reasons why it happened and they’ve also given me tips and tricks on keep it from happening, so.”

Stats: Played 12 games in 2025, had 113 carries, 674 yards (6.0 average), 11 touchdowns; six catches, 87 yards (14.5 average), two touchdowns. In 41 career games, had 1,692 yards (6.0 average), 21 touchdowns; 15 catches, 162 yards (10.8 average).

ALLEN, KAYTRON | Penn State | RB | Sr | #13 | Norfolk, VA | Day 2

Combine: HT: 5110 | WT: 216 | HD: 0918 | ARM: 2948

Pro Day: HT: 5113 | WT: 216 | HD: 0948 | ARM: 2948

Senior Bowl: HT: 5111 | WT: 220 | HD: 0948 | ARM: 3000

Evaluation: An incredibly productive career in Happy Valley has led Allen to being a staple for the Nittany Lions offense over the past four seasons, with noticeable strides each year. As a runner, Allen displays a quick burst to accelerate and uses his vision to cut back. In addition, he possesses exceptional tackle-breaking ability, churning his legs upon contact for additional yardage after contact. As a pass-catcher, he is an adept route runner with sticky hands, while having a knack for creating after the catch. One key area of improvement for Allen is in pass protection, as he tends to struggle to scan the field and deliver a blow. Allen is a day two prospect who has proven that he is able to shoulder the load when needed. Look for Allen to be an immediate contributor and continue to be an excellent change of pace type option and possibly a competent starter if all cylinders click.

Background: Appeared in 54 games (25 starts), with eight games of 100-plus rushing yards. Named All-American Second Team and All-Big Ten First Team in 2025. Was All-Big Ten Second team in 2023. Finished his Penn State career with 4,180 rushing yards, breaking the all-time school record previously held by Evan Royster. A four-star recruit out of IMG Academy, where he also lettered in basketball. The son of Latarsha Allen with two brothers, Kayonte and Kayshawn. Majored in African American studies. Enjoys playing basketball and video games, singing and traveling in his free time.

Stats: Combine invite. Played 12 games in 2025, ran 210 times, for 1,303 yards (6.2 average), 15 touchdowns; and caught 18 balls for 68 yards (3.8 average). Played 54 games for his career, with 769 carries, for 4,180 yards (5.4 average), 39 touchdowns; caught 70 balls, for 490 yards (7.0 average), four touchdowns.

WASHINGTON, MIKE | Arkansas | RB | rSr | #4 | Cicero, NY | Day 2