NFL Draft Bible: Running Backs

To this day, the number one formula for winning in the game of football, is a stellar defense and strong ground game.

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 original 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, 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

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 5084, 211, 0938, 2968, 7268, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd1*

2. 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*

3. Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State, 5094, 219, 0938, 2978, 7378, 4.65 (1.58), n/a, 39.5”, 10-03, n/a, n/a, Rd2

4. 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

5. 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

6. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, 5081, 200, 0868, 3048, 7300, 4.42 (1.58), n/a, 35”, 10-04, n/a, n/a, Rd3*

7. 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*

8. 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*

9. 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

10. RJ Harvey, UCF, 5080, 205, 0900, 2900, 7128, 4.40 (1.57), 23.07, n/a, 38”, 10-07, 4.34, n/a, Rd4

11. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona, 5104, 206, 0878, 3158, 7638, 4.45, n/a, 41.5”, 10-4, 4.44, 7.28, Rd4

12. 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

13. 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*

14. Damien Martinez, Miami, 5115, 217, 0948, 3048, 7528, 4.51 (1.56), 21.86, n/a, 35”, 10-04, 4.49, 7.16, Rd4*

15. 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

16. 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

17. Woody Marks, USC, 5101, 213, 0900, 2968, 7178, 4.52 (1.57), 22.41, n/a, 35”, 9-11, 4.24, n/a, Rd5

18. 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

19. 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*

20. Trevor Etienne, Georgia, 5086, 200, 0968, 2948, 7048, 4.42 (1.51), 22.54, n/a, 35”, 10-04, 4.34, 7.20, Rd6*

21. Jordan James, Oregon, 5094, 208, 0948, 3048, 7368, 4.51 (1.55), 22.47, n/a, 32”, 09-09, n/a, n/a, Rd6*

22. LeQuint Allen, Syracuse, 6001, 204, 1028, 3228, 7858, n/a n/a, 35”, 10-0, n/a, n/a, Rd6*

23. Phil Mafah, Clemson, 6005, 234, 0948, 3200, 7800, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd6

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. Mario Anderson, Memphis, 5080, 202, 0918, 2928, 6958, 4.58, n/a, 35.5”, 10-0, 4.28, 7.29, PFA

31. Nathan Carter, Michigan State, 5092, 200, 0900, 3128, 7478, 4.40, 23, 40”, 10-8, 4.20, 7.15, Rd7*

32. Kalel Mullings, Michigan, 6014, 226, 1000, 3168, 7800, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, Rd7

33. Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas, 6016, 236, 0948, 3348, 7958, 4.75 (1.64), n/a, 33.5”, 10-0, 4.48, 7.19, HPFA

34. Tre Stewart, Jacksonville State, 5087, 186, 0938, 3038, 7200, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, HPFA

35. 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

36. Micah Bernard, Utah, 5100, 206, 0928, 3158, 7528, 4.58, n/a, 38.5”, 10-6, 4.37, 7.39, HPFA

37. Penny Boone, UCF, 5115, 226, 0868, 3128, 7658, 4.70 (1.62), n/a, 30”, 9-2, 4.36, 6.93, PFA

38. Quinton Cooley, Liberty, 5074, 209, 0848, 2968, 7138, 4.71, n/a, 32.5”, n/a, 4.42, 7.34, PFA

39. Sone Ntoh, Monmouth, 5110, 220, 0900, 3078, 7500, 4.50, n/a, 38.5”, 10-1, 4.40, 7.31, PFA

40. 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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PLAYER PROFILE KEY (How to read the prospect header):

RK. LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | JERSEY # | YEAR | HOMETOWN | PROJECTION | VALUE

HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WINGSPAN | FORTY (10-YARD SPLIT), MPH | BENCH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE

**Note** Heights of players are measured to the nearest eighth of an inch – for example, “6003” would stand for 6 ft. and 3/8 inches tall. (The first number refers to the feet, the second two numbers refer to the inches, and the last number refers to eighths of an inch.). Arm, hand, and wingspan are written differently – 3012 would mean 30 1/2 inches, 0934 would mean 9 3/4 inches, and 7558 would mean 75 5/8 inches.

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1. JEANTY, ASHTON | Boise State | RB | #2 | Jr | Jacksonville, FL | Franchise Talent | Round 1

Combine: 5084 | 211 | 0938 | 2968 | 7268 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: A blue-chip running back with top-level burst, acceleration, contact balance, change of direction, vision, elusiveness and production.

Evaluation: What can’t Jeanty do? An outside zone runner who waits for his blocks to develop, Jeanty possesses the lower body strength to break tackles and gain yards after contact. In fact, his contact balance is arguably some of the best ever witnessed. In addition, Jeanty owns breakaway speed to outrun the defense and explode for big gains. A former wide receiver in high school, the Jacksonville native displays tremendous jump-cut ability. Jeanty has an unorthodox pre-snap stance, where he stands straight up and acts as if he is looking over/examining the defense. When asked about it, he attributed it to the confidence in his teammates to carry out their jobs. While little fuss has been made about his final college appearance, his last game against Penn State in the College Football Playoffs was one of the only legitimate defenses that Jeanty faced all year. He ran like a truck stuck in mud, as he was unable to get the tires going against a Nittany Lions defense littered with future pros. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, half of his overall season average of 7.0 yards per carry, primarily against the lackluster Mountain West Conference. It hasn’t seemed to impact his overall draft status but it’s worth mentoring, since the level of competition should be factored. To be fair, Jeanty handled his business against Oregon (Week 2). His only other game against a ranked opponent came against Washington (10 carries, 44 yards). Since there are few flaws in his game, that is the only aspect we can harp on that would question his success in the NFL. He appears to be the real deal. Some draft buffs have declared Jeanty the best overall player in the draft. While we can’t commit to that type of status, there could be plenty of Pro Bowl trips in store.

Quotable: “I played him in high school a couple of times. He’s such a hard guy to tackle and that’s one of my favorite things to watch about him. How many tackles he breaks and now that I'm watching him in college, he's a junior and it looks even harder.” – Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. on Ashton Jeanty

Background: Turned down seven-figure NIL deals to remain at Boise State. Father preached discipline and commitment. A four-star recruit and three-sport student-athlete, competing in football, basketball and track. Was raised in a military family, grew up in Italy. Football career did not begin until ninth grade.

TIER 2 PROSPECTS -- PRO BOWL TALENT

2. HAMPTON, OMARION | North Carolina | RB | #28 | Jr | Clayton, NC | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 5116 | 221 | 0938 | 3048 | 7468 | 4.46 (1.54), 22.70 | 38” | 10-10 | 4.40 | n/a

One-Liner: A consistent, durable back with the size to pound the rock between the tackles but also capable of being an effective weapon out of the backfield with adequate blocking skills.