Bigsby is one of the most gifted running backs in college football and has improved in each year so far, so it is reasonable to think he will take another step this season. Camerun Peoples, Appalachian State, Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois | NFL Draft Scouting Report, 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Bryce Young in Pole Position for the No. Yes, you read that correctly: Allgeier had only 26 career carries entering the 2020 season but still managed to finish the year with a 93.1 rushing grade, the second-best behind Javonte Williams. For those who dont know, running backs actually do matter in college football. McCormick earned second-team All-America honors after finishing No. New coach Nick Rolovich likes to throw to backs, too, which means Borghi could be one of the most effective dual-threat RBs in the country this fall. At some points, Tucker and Ali were in the lead or near it for rushing in the country. Jake Chisholm, Dayton 22. Dye was great for the Ducks, despite the less than pleasing finish to the season. Having a back with Borghi's receiving chops and speed is a huge plus. Okay, so running backs are sort of interchangeable now and not worth the high pick draft value, and this year there are plenty of good runners who'll make a big splash from Day 3. 8. Just last season, we saw Najee Harris play a critical role for Alabama, Travis Etienne shoulder a huge load from the backfield in Clemson, and even Trey Sermon shine bright in the spotlight. As a true sophomore Goodson was the Hawkeye's workhorse, and finished third in the conference in carries last season. Best Returning RBs 25. From Power-5 studs to small-school sleepers, CFBDynasty.com's 2021 RB . Deuce Vaughn took some souls yesterday pic.twitter.com/MARSIbptuA, Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) December 6, 2020. 13. Kennedy Brooks returns to Oklahoma after opting out in 2020 but Grays arrival should push Brooks to a backup role. Read Time: What's up Tailgaters! 2019 Best College Running Back Players (0) 2019 . The state of Texas plays host to two top 25 college football running backs, which should come to the surprise of absolutely nobody. 5-11 / 190. 2018 Best College Running Back Players (0) 2018 . Auburn running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball during Auburn football A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky Wildcats. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound back also showed off the elusiveness, athleticism and physical play style we saw from him on a limited basis as a true freshman in 2019 he produced two of the 15 highest single-game broken tackle rates from the 2020 season and ranked eighth in the Power Five in percentage of runs that picked up at least 3.0 yards after contact (48%). Is White too low? However, the Aggies RB has been a lone bright spot in a frankly turgid offense. Hes been the Blue Devil on the shoulder of Dukes offense, ranking in the top five for total yards, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. The Sermon is over. Him and quarterback C.J. Some teams could not function without their running backs on offense, making them that much more valuable. He enters his redshirt junior season with 2 years of starting experience and 3 years in the rotation, so the experience is there to match the speed and elusiveness. Baylor had a banner year in 2021, winning the Big 12 and the Sugar Bowl over Ole Miss to conclude the year. Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State (Photo: Scott. Every day, get free NFL updates sent straight to your inbox! 22. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA, 16. Perhaps the biggest sleeper on this list, Allgeier walked on at BYU in 2018 and was a linebacker till last season. Game film: Video High school coach: Jon Simoneau Teddy is back to run the show for the third year in a row. But the Longhorns couldve been lost without him offensively. Is very good in the open field at making defenders miss. Brooks was the third-highest-graded ball carrier in the FBS from 2018 to 2019 and established himself as one of the top breakaway threats at the position. Rodriguez finished as the second-highest-graded running back of the 2020 season (92.4) and ranked second to UNC's, BYU produced an impressive list of breakout players in 2020; among them was running back, Yes, you read that correctly: Allgeier had only 26 career carries entering the 2020 season but still managed to finish the year with a 93.1 rushing grade, the second-best behind. Between injury and sharing the backfield with guys like Sermon, Teague has sometimes been a man of the shadows. List of Military Colleges and their Academies in 2021 Trident University 2021: Acceptance rate, Admission, Courses, Tuition fees, Aid Allen emerged as the No. Below is a list of PFFs top 10 returning running backs. The majority of programs especially the elite ones in the country have shifted to a more pass-centric offensive approach. Ealy was a 2019 four-star recruit who didn't put up monstrous box score numbers in 2020, but he consistently showed up and got the job done. Weve ranked the 10 best, starting with perhaps a shocking name out in Norman, namely because its probably not the guy you think. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. Bijan Robinson, Texas Louisiana Monroe v Texas The running back group might not be as star-studded and recognized by the general NFL fans as the. Brad. He led all of college football in rushing last season with 1572 yards and 23 touchdowns, and is definitely in the running to do it again. The 2020 four-star recruit who ranked 40th nationally, according to 247Sports was easily among the most elusive ball carriers in college football last year. Rasheen Ali, Marshall 3-graded ball-carrier from 2018-19. Read on to know more! 24. Tyler Goodson, Iowa: The Georgia native is one of the best returning running backs in the Big Ten. Good luck catching him from. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. Go ahead. A dream prospect for both a kitschy headline writer and a running backs coach. Harris was a breakout star last season. In fact, the Bulls had 2 of FBS top 20 rushers last season. There's a long list of powerful running backs to come through Ohio State, and if 2021 was a glimpse of what is still . Robinson has been a key backup over the last four years and is set to take on a starting role in his super senior season this fall. The Tigers entered the SEC coaching carousel and are in a time of transition. Once the Badgers found their groove, Allen was a monster. 4 rusher in the country in terms of yards, but boy did he feel like he was the leading rusher throughout the season. He leads all college football running backs in rushing yards, yards per game, and ranks fourth for rushing touchdowns through Week 5. A full offseason of work with the Longhorns vast array of resources renders Robinson a real threat this fall. Kenneth Walker III was an underrated, under-appreciated running back during his time at Wake Forest. New head coach Steve Sarkisian ought to have a lot of fun incorporating Robinsons skills into his offense. But despite the discrepancy between the box score and the play-level production, Hall still lands comfortably into this top 10. Furthermore, hes been a constant threat as a receiving back, totaling at least 100+ receiving yards and a touchdown in each of the last three seasons. Through Week 5, weve already seen some incredible performances, but who are the top college football running backs so far this season? Times are changing in (the other) Athens with longtime coach Frank Solich retiring, but Tuggle should provide some continuity between the white lines. Big names like Kenneth Walker, Hassan Haskins, Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson highlight the list, but there were others making names for themselves in the Top 10 and throughout the list. No FBS running back churned out 10 or more yards on a higher rate of carries over that period than Brooks (23.4%). He also tied for the lowest drop rate among FBS backs at 2.3% and broke eight more tackles after the catch than any other back in the country (28). Its easy to overlook that in 4 seasons, the COVID senior from Tuscaloosa has averaged almost 5 yards per carry and been brilliant when called upon. Plus, adding 20 touchdowns is never a bad thing. Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State 24. It wasnt all that spectacular, either, as he fumbled on one of his 10 carries en route to a 57.2 PFF grade for the day. Yes, there are other backs in Buffalo. 1 in Pro Football Focus rankings. Terion Stewart, Bowling Green Bowling Green's offense struggled to get on track in 2020, but coach Scot Loeffler found a. Gore finished with the 18th-best rushing grade in the FBS (86.8) as a true freshman this past season. The former three-star prospect put up those numbers despite sharing the load in Iowa's backfield. But it seems like Alabama has one every year. Lets not forget, the junior running back had 13 rushing touchdowns last fall but never received national recognition due to a relatively meager 579 rushing yards. Derrick Henry is the undisputed workout king as well as the league's top stiff-arm threat entering 2021. Based on what he did in two seasons with the Volunteers, it might seem like an odd inclusion. This is a pick based on potential. He should be in the Heisman Trophy conversation next year, if not one of the favorites to bring home some hardware. 13 in rushing nationwide and despite the run-heavy offense, he was dominant on the ground even when defenses knew what was coming. Ranking the Top 25 running backs in college football in 2021 Phil Ervin | 1 year ago 2022 Rankings Presented by The Sermon is over. Roberts actually finished No. Although Keaton Mitchell flashed signs of potential as a freshman, no one could have predicted his explosion as a sophomore this season. Below is a list of PFFs top 10 returning running backs. College Football's Top 25 Breakout Running Backs for 2021 25. And remember, this has nothing to do with pro potential. A foot injury limited him last season, but the son of former Aggies tight end Fred Spiller has all the makings of a successful NFL running back. Find the rest of PFFs top returning college players series here: He owned one of the 10 highest rushing grades in the Power Five from Week 10 on (82.9). 1) Bijan Robinson, Texas No single rusher embodies the phrase "running backs do matter" more than Bijan Robinson. He has a laser arm and accuracy and can run a 4.66 40-yard dash. He eclipsed 1,000 yards in just 7 games. Hell go down as a school legend. Like Bigsby, Vaughn was also one of the top first-year players in college football this past season. Need a big run? As a result, theyve consistently relied on the freshman running back, and boy has he delivered. Here are the top 15 running backs in college football 1. 19. Some, youve heard of. But this is Goodsons show now, and with one of the countrys best offensive lines in front of him, hes poised for a gigantic junior season. And Jaret jetted for D.C. For all the craziness of 2020, elite-level running back play in major college football brought us a sense of normalcy. Breece Halls defense of his rushing title got off to a dangerously slow start. DVonte Price, FIU 5. College football had its fair share of top running backs in 2021. He doesnt have electrifying speed, but he is elusive and fights through contact as well as anyone. Then look at his numbers. Running back has become an increasingly marginalized position as far as the NFL draft goes lately, with only a solitary back being selected in the top round over the past two years - and that pick (Clyde Edwars-Helaire KC) barely made it -- at number 32. Find out where your favorite Runningbacks stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. both a runner and receiver in 2020. Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State NFL College Football DFS: Top 12 Running Backs in 2021 By The Bartender - August 24, 2021 931 When Fantasy Football players begin to prepare for their upcoming leagues, the running back position is the first to spring to mind. Yes. The Cyclones star was an All-American and should bode well in the NFL with whoever selects him in the draft. put together a 16-year NFL career and possibly more, as the soon-to-be 38-year-old hasnt officially retired yet we now get to see his son dominate in the collegiate ranks. Discover the current NCAA Division II Football leaders in every stats category, as well as historic leaders. Badie declared for the draft and the Tigers are certainly going to miss the former three-star prospects presence in the backfield in 2022. Robinson was also productive on the receiving front with 1.63 yards per route run and 10 total receptions resulting in a 10-plus yard gain. Kind of. Meanwhile, hes found the end zone 6 times in five games. Hes right there with Allgeier for the best non-Power Five running back in the country. And Jaret jetted for D.C.. The strength of schedule for Central Michigan goes against Nichols compared to some other big names, but he could very well be the best running back in the country by next season. Rodriguez is one of the best power-backs in college football. These rushers just missed out on the top 10 of my college football running backs. Hall had a quiet year compared to the preseason expectations but he still finished No. Tyler Goodson, Iowa No longer. 12. Monday Down South: Taking stock of every SEC team's trajectory as the 2022 season yields to 2023. Donovan Edwards West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, MI) The running back position has always made a difference in determining your league champion. 2022-2023 cfb bowl schedule. Home Scores Rankings Standings. Maybe. No single rusher embodies the phrase running backs do matter more than Bijan Robinson. His impact is bigger than most, so he earns a spot in the Top 10 this year. So without further ado, here are my top five college running backs for the 2021 NFL draft. Teams now generally undervalue the position and have . He should turn even more heads during a full fall season. Robinson exploded in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Cincinnati. Vaughn can take defenders' souls in the open field with his blend of quickness and agility. Camar Wheaton Lakeview Centennial (Garland, TX) RB. Niko Duffey, Alcorn State 20. Tank Bigsby is a created player in NCAA 14, PFF Draft (@PFF_College) October 10, 2020. 17. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. Jashaun Corbin, Florida State, 21. Borghi was only able to play in one game this past season due to injury. We rank the top 10 SEC running backs for 2021 by production and overall ability: No. Ramon Jefferson,. Passing may be all the rage in college football but these 10 running backs enter the 2021 season as the best in the country ready to dominate the ground. Jaylen Warren - Oklahoma State 24. Despite having Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, the passing offense for the Ohio State Buckeyes has struggled with its inexperienced QB situation. Reliable after leading the SEC in rushing yards per game last season (113.8). Deuce Vaughn. K-State sure loves it some perceivably undersized backs. Plus, he was a scoring machine. After watching Frank Gore Sr. put together a 16-year NFL career and possibly more, as the soon-to-be 38-year-old hasnt officially retired yet we now get to see his son dominate in the collegiate ranks. Once upon a time in college football, it was three yards and a cloud of dust as teams consistently relied upon the rushing attack to get the job done offensively. These are fun times in Ames at the moment, and the countrys leading rusher in 2020 is a big reason. Ford was key to getting Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff for the first time. Broussard was right there with Jefferson last season; the pair ranked Nos. And remember, this has nothing to do with pro potential. The Sun Devils sure could use some positive headlines these days. We rank the Top 25 of em heading into 2021. As Haskins went, the Wolverines went. As we approach the mid-point of the 2021 college football season, the lack of dominant individual running backs is readily apparent. While there are a number of factors influencing Michigan States incredible start to the campaign, Walker is surely among the biggest. Can your running back chase down a defender with a freshly intercepted ball in his hand, climb on his back, and punch out said ball, allowing another player to recover the ball for your team? pic.twitter.com/lufl0TX2gH, Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) March 9, 2021. If the answer is no, thats because your team isnt BYU, and your running back isnt Tyler Allgeier. Robinson was a five-star recruit in the 2020 class, according to 247Sports, and dazzled down the stretch of his true freshman campaign. He was good all season long but thats where he shined brightest. Robinson is a home run threat every time he touches the football and can do it in the passing game as well. He averaged 105.6 yard per game last season. If he played in the Armed Forces Bowl, perhaps the Tigers wouldve taken down Army. His overall stats should better match his speed and shiftiness as Ole Miss top back for an entire 12-game slate. Sure, it was not a 2,000 yard season, but Hall proved to be one of the best again. Spiller already projects as a 1st-round pick in 2022 heading into his junior season. Brooks opted out of last season but was Pro Football Focus No. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. The sophomore running back is the heart and soul of the Texas Longhorns offense. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Those, of course, were all three backs who played a pivotal role for College Football Playoff teams as game-changers at an evolving position. Just hand it off to Smith, who made plays all over the field. The 2021 college football season kicks off in just over 100 days, and we at PFF are here to get you ready for it. Yes, Robinson played just 10 games after suffering an injury. Brent Venables boasts six top-100 recruits in the Sooners' 2023 haul, highlighted by 5-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, the No. All College Football news fromFanSided Daily, Red Sox: Alex Coras comments after Yankees sweep arent good enough, College football rankings: Top 10 wide receivers of 2021, Top 5 NFL QB Prospects Heading Into 2021 College Football Season, Ranking the top 20 college football coaches for 2021, College football rankings: Sam Howell, Spencer Rattler and the top 20 quarterbacks of 2021. The 6-foot-4 . Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State Height: 6'1 Weight: 207 Strengths: Great at getting through the line of scrimmage. However, if you watch him on film, you see a player whos much more talented than those stats. Devon Achane 5. Rightfully so. Badie ended as the No. 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; 2014 Well save the realignment-related jokes for another time. Mr. Harris has left the building. Brooks ran for over 1,000 yards in 2019 but opted out of last season. Stroud will make for a deadly backfield duo in year two together next season. Furthermore, hes found the end zone 7 times while showcasing big-play ability with 2 rushes of 50+ yards. The sophomore was hard to bring down on first contact and was tough up the middle or he could beat you to the outside. Teams will fight over three prospects at the top, Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, and Javonte Williams. 15. The freshman was the leading rushing nationwide. CLICK HERE to download the CBS Sports Mobile App and get the latest on your team today. DeAndre Torrey, North Texas 1 Overall Pick, Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia | NFL Draft Scouting Report. JERRION EALY, OLE MISS Ealy was a 2019 four-star recruit who didn't put up monstrous box score numbers in 2020, but he consistently showed up and got the job done. Kansas State Wildcats (Deuce Vaughn) Kentucky Wildcats (Chris Rodriguez Jr.) Minnesota Golden Gophers (Mohamed Ibrahim) South Carolina Gamecocks (Kevin Harris) UTSA Roadrunners (Sincere McCormick). All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Thank elite defense and Smith for the trophies this year. One of the sports top freshmen a year ago, Bigsby ranks No. He had less than 200 carries, but every single one was impactful. When you think of Missouris offense, you think of Badie. The list is based on a bevy of factors, including. About Saturday Down South | Ethics and Editorial Standards | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Do Not Sell My Personal Information. From the college perspective, the top running backs in the 2021 NFL Draft are Weaknesses: Robinson gives Texas an all-around offensive threat, as hes currently sitting second on the team with 16.7 yards per reception. Rodriguez finished as the second-highest-graded running back of the 2020 season (92.4) and ranked second to UNC's Javonte Williams among Power Five backs in percentage of runs that picked up a first down or touchdown (41%). (Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images, 247Sports) 25. Gray suited up for 22 games in Knoxville and rushed for 1,311 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and eight scores while also catching 43 balls for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Zonovan Knight, NC State The Iowa State running back has the explosiveness to ramp up that big-run rate and proved on a number of occasions that he has an uncoachable ability to make something out of nothing. 3 player from Texas and a top 10 passer in . While football evolves into a pass-oriented game, there is still nothing more glorious than watching college football running backs galloping in the open field. 1. AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. However, through Week 5 of the college football season, the East Carolina RB has been astounding. Hall finished with 1,572 yards and his 21 TDs were topped only by Najee Harris 26. The Tennessee transfer has a golden opportunity after the Tar Heels lost a pair of star-studded running backs. He rushed for 1,378 yards in 2021, helping Kentucky to win 10 games. High school: Bernards (Bernardsville, N.J.) Athlete: Teddy Gouldin Height: 6-2 Weight: 170 Recommended college level: FBS Accolades: All-Division, All-Group, All-Area.Holds nearly every school passing record. Trey Sermon carried Ohio State down the stretch until the Buckeyes ran into Najee Harris and Alabama. Nick Rolovichs run-and-shoot offense produces one of the highest pass-play rates in college football (67%, though 14 percentage points lower than Leach's Air Raid). Ohio State does not have to worry about its backfield in 2022 with Henderson coming back. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans. Here are the the running backs: #1. Durant has averaged at least 6.0 yards per carry in each of the last two seasons. 5. He and Borghi will duke it out for the title of college footballs best dual-threat running back in 2021. You wont find Spiller among the top 25 running backs in terms of total yardage, yards per carry, or even touchdowns. The 6-foot, 204-pound freshman was the third-highest-graded ball carrier in the FBS behind. Before the season, I expected Sincere McCormick to break 1,500 rushing yards this fall. With Rhamondre Stevenson out, Brooks will be back as the featured runner for Oklahoma - who . The offensive line in front of him was exceptional in 2020, but so was Allgeiers vision. Oklahoma (22 commits). Minnesota was one of the sports hardest-hit teams by COVID, but Ibrahim did it all while playing behind a makeshift offensive line. It seemed like Vaughn made play after play for the Wildcats, who knocked off LSU in the Texas Bowl to end the season. The Top Ten 1 Breece Hall One of the most prolific running backs of last season for Iowa State, Hall comes back with a returning Iowa State roster and offensive line. Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma. He has rushed for 100+ yards and 2 touchdowns in each of his last three appearances, moving into the top 10 college football running backs in the nation for total yards and rushing touchdowns. The rich get richer cliche has become so overused because its true. Having gone two seasons without as much as a sniff of a 100+ rushing yard game, Duke running back Mataeo Durant now has EIGHT 100+ yard games in his last 12 outings, stretching back to October last season. Texas looks like a completely different team when he isnt being utilized to the best of his ability. As a freshman, Henderson showed off bursts of speed that were unfathomable. Who are the next great running backs in this great game of ours? TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State 166 attempts, 1,165 yards, 15 touchdowns. He was the sixth-highest-graded runner in the Power Five at 90.0 and logged 147 carries without fumbling the football, the second-most in the nation. 10: Dameon Pierce, Florida Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) looks for a way past Georgia defensive. Its always an adventure in Columbia, S.C., these days, but Harris is Mr. Brooks had a fantastic 2021, finishing with nearly 1,300 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Ranking the 10 best college football running backs of 2021 AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of. TreVeyon Henderson 3. For a little help, here are some of the best running backs of 2021 in College Football that you can bet on in an online casino. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. Bijan Robinson 2. 1. Furthermore, hes averaging 6.21 yards per carry with 7 touchdowns. Evans didnt have the same consistently explosive start to his career as Robinson. 25. 3 and 4 in FBS in rushing yards per game. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. 8. Some might consider this ranking disrespectful, as Hall led the country with 1,562 rushing yards in 2020, but lets not forget that he also saw 28 more carries than any other back and was one of six backs with over 200 carries. While a team like Michigan State had success without Walker, he was impactful immediately after transferring in from Wake Forest. A prime candidate to move up this list considerably if we did it again after the season. The heir apparent to Najee Harris has waited his turn. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Good luck finding a better backfield in FBS this fall. But playing behind one of the countrys best offensive lines, he earned Pro Football Focus No. Brooks opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but he will be back for the 2021 campaign very good news for the Sooners. Even if Brooks has experience with the Sooners, the incoming transfer is the better player and better-suited back for the offense. . 2022 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Pattersons gone, and theres a new coaching staff in town, but Marks is no slouch. The 2020 5-star recruit was a man-child down the stretch last season, breaking tackles, catching passes and grading high per Pro Football Focus advanced analysis. The 6-foot, 204-pound freshman was the third-highest-graded ball carrier in the FBS behind Javonte Williams and Khalil Herbertbefore suffering an injury in Week 12 against Tennessee. You can say hes way too high. Hall proved his durability as well as his skill, carrying the ball 28 more times than any other back last season. Top College Football Running Backs in 2021, While football evolves into a pass-oriented game, there is still nothing more glorious than watching. The 5-foot-5 running back made it known from the get-go that he is going to be in the conversation for the best dual-threat back in the country. Breece Hall Last season, Breece Hall has quickly become very successful and led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in rushing yards. Despite this, we cant forget about the running backs. Rodriguez nearly made the top 10 but that doesnt discount his season. 1 back in a Wisconsin offense that lost its identity early in the season. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky Mateo Durant - Duke 23. While he might end up a little short of last years gaudy numbers, the UTSA RB still sits 11th in the nation for total rushing yards. The Rebels offense should be one of the most entertaining once again, and Ealy is a big reason. Since then, however, Hall appears to be back to his devastating form. Analyze 2022 football recruiting and running back scouting reports by clicking the buttons below and visiting the 2022 top RB recruit scouting database! For those who dont know, running backs actually do matter in college football. Of his 280 carries on the year, only 13.6% resulted in a 10-plus-yard gain, 86th of 140 qualifiers. Watch out for the dreadlocks. His 6.5 yards per carry are significantly more than any previous season of his career. David Kenyon of Bleacher Report compiled a list of the top-10 running backs returning to college football in 2021, and it can be seen below: 10. 18. Among the 68 FBS backs who totaled at least 50 carries on which they were contacted behind the line of scrimmage in 2020, Hall ranked third in PFF rushing grade. 11. Against Ohio State, he had a historic game and continued his domination in the Big Ten championship against Iowa. After eight consecutive seasons with at least one. But he helped the Beavers to a 7-6 record and an LA Bowl appearance. 2. 2 rushing grade last year. Goodsons numbers arent necessarily eye-popping. It was tough to contain Haskins on any given day, making him one of the most dangerous backs in college football this season. Bobby Petrino reportedly a candidate for SEC offensive coordinator position, Liam Coen returning to Kentucky, per NFL insider, Hayes: Landing 5-star QB DJ Lagway is a game-changer for Billy Napier, Gators, Bruce Pearl explains why Hugh Freeze is a perfect fit at Auburn, Debron Gatling, 4-star 2024 WR, announces SEC commitment, Traeshon Holden, former Alabama WR, announces transfer destination, Auburn reportedly nearing OC hire for Hugh Freeze's coaching staff, Andrew Armstrong, FCS transfer WR, announces SEC commitment, Ron Roberts, former Baylor DC, reportedly decides on SEC program after multiple offers, Power ranking the top 10 SEC players entering bowl season, SEC Basketball Power Rankings: Top teams hold serve, elite freshmen shine, major matchups await, College Football Playoff rankings, Dec. 4: Final top 25 released, CFP field set, AP Poll Week 15: Updated top 25 rankings include 6 SEC squads, Monday Down South Postseason Awards: The envelopes, please, SDS' Ultimate SEC Championship Preview: Sizing up Georgia-LSU, and why the expanded Playoff can't get here soon enough. Phil Ervin is a veteran college football writer with experience covering both the SEC and Big Ten. His career has been more about quality than quantity to this point, but expect plenty of both during Rodriguezs redshirt junior season. However, be under no illusion theyre among the best in the nation. He transferred in from Wake Forest and was the biggest reason for Michigan States 11-win season, despite opting out of the Peach Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. We support responsible gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. In his first two games, he averaged no more than 4.3 yards per carry, totaling a relatively substandard 69 total yards in each game. The back-to-back reigning rushing champion tops the list of best running backs in the NFL. He had 153 yards per game last year, 2nd in the land behind Patterson. We'll start by ranking the top 10 returning players at each position and naming one sleeper who could make some noise this season. The list is based on a bevy of factors, including PFF grade and other advanced metrics available to CFB Premium Stats+ subscribers. Tuggle and the Bobcats only got 3 games last year, but the former JUCO star is eyeing a breakout redshirt 5th-year season. Preseason Pac-12 power rankings: Will anyone challenge Oregon and USC at the top. In 4 games during a COVID-shortened season, he averaged a nation-leading 10 yards per carry. There has been nothing meager about Walkers performance so far this season. SEC QB Power Rankings, regular-season wrap: Should Anthony Richardson stay or go? The Heisman Trophy, one of the highest individual awards in American college football, has been awarded 86 times since its creation in 1935, including 85 unique winners and one two-time winner.The trophy is given annually to the most outstanding college football player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), and is awarded by the . He was definitely a Top 10 running back this season. 10 returning back in FBS. 1 running back in 2021. Both rank in the top 10 in the nation, despite only rushing for 27 yards in his first game of the year against Duquesne. Bijan Robinson headlines the top college football running backs in 2021, but who else should you be watching out for this fall? His lateral quickness was insane and he was also a good pass catching back. But Bigsby is as solid an option as they come. Over his last four games, Robinson produced an explosive 10-plus yard run on 14 of his 47 carries with 21 broken tackles and nearly nine yards after contact per attempt. Hes exactly what new coach Steve Sarkisian needs. Andy Katz's latest Power 36. Gray doesnt leave defenders in the dust in a straight line but hes incredibly elusive and has tremendous balance. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images). If Gore can improve upon his 84 snaps on the receiving front, an area where he flashed last season, he can climb even higher up this list come 2021. TANK BIGSBY, AUBURN (Photo: John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports) A true freshman in 2020, Bigsby. 0.9834. Walker was nearly in the Heisman Trophy conversation right at the end of the season before some subpar games but there was no denying his impact all season long for the Spartans. 23. Here are the top-25 running backs in college football during 2021. . While Iowa State did not have the team success it expected, such as winning the Big 12 title, Hall remained a bright spot for the team all year long. September 12, 2021. Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE videos, and more. Hes averaging a ridiculous 9.57 yards per carry so far this season, good enough for second in the nation behind Auburns Jarquez Hunter. Jaret Patterson wowed the entire country with a ridiculous 178 yards per game for Buffalo before continuing his career with the Washington Football Team. He wasnt on the radar at first, but Walker emerged as the best running back in college football this season. If youre a fan of the underdog, keep an eye on Broussard he was 3-star recruit out of Dallas and has rebounded nicely from a knee injury that caused him to miss all of the 2019 season. Lets start with a breakdown of my top 10 running backs in college football so far this fall. Although he isnt currently on pace to match that expectation, mere statistics cant fairly evaluate his influence on a UTSA team that is currently undefeated. A Mountain West Player of the Year candidate and already a lock to make the all-name team. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Four QBs named Heisman finalists. The 2021 running back prospects are an interesting mix, and are likely slightly worse than average. Say it. Couple that with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and he could be set up for a huge rise to stardom as part of the Sooners offense that seems ideally suited to his strengths. UCLA wins Women's College Cup. While they all have a good chance at being a team's #1 back, there isn't a transcendent talent among them. Haskins and Blake Corum ran the Wolverines backfield but after a while, Haskins was the go-to runner in that offense. After putting up 222 yards and 2 touchdowns against Tulane, Mitchell features in the top 10 for yards per game and total yardage. This was an especially hard list to make. He has breakout written all over him for the 2021 season. Theres an active NFL running back whose son is a top-15 collegiate athlete playing the same position. BYU produced an impressive list of breakout players in 2020; among them was running back Tyler Allgeier, who walked on to the team back in 2018 and spent most of the 2019 season at off-ball linebacker. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. (Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Tim Warner/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: John E. Moore III/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Mike Mulholland/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images, 247Sports), (Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, 247Sports). Every time this man touched the football, he was a threat to score. As we head into the 2021 season, though, that has changed dramatically. Like Robinson above him, TreVeyon Henderson has been the savior of his teams offense. Yikes. The B1G Running Back of the Year might not score the highest on advanced analytics charts, but hes the real deal. The Panthers only played 5 contests last season; can Price extrapolate his performance across a full campaign? Still, we shouldn't forget who Borghi was back in 2019 when he was fully healthy: a player with immense speed and one of the top receiving backs in the entire country. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. White is primed to provide plenty. The Iowa State offense struggled against Northern Iowa and lost to emerging College Football Playoff contender Iowa. 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; 2014 He is the clear favorite to claim the title of No. Vaughn can take defenders' souls in the open field with his blend of quickness and agility. Sean Tucker, Syracuse He topped 1,000 yards last season in just 10 games. Others, perhaps not. Pro Football Network, LLC. I certainly didnt he wasnt included in the initial rendition of my College Football Top 25 Running Backs. The 2022 NFL Draft prospect has been in sensational form so far this season. Here are the top-25 running backs in college football during 2021. And that plays into why Gray makes the cut of these rankings. Allen, who played the entire 2021 season as a 17-year-old, rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, while averaging a Big Ten-best 6.8 yards per attempt. QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | iOL | DI | EDGE | LB | CB | S. Bigsby was one of the most impressive true freshmen of the 2020 class, finishing as the fifth-most valuable first-year non-quarterback in the country, per PFF Wins Above Average (WAA). Underrated return game, had over 500 kick return yards in 2018. When it came to those inside-zone runs that Kentucky loves so much, Rodriguez jumped to first in rushing grade nationwide. Take a look at PFF's top ten running backs for the 2021 college football season below. Ranking college football's 10 best running backs this season Honorable Mention: Chris Rodriguez Where he plays: Kentucky 2021 stats: 225 rush, 1,379 yards, 9 TD Ordinarily, Rodriguez is a. This is an interesting one, as Borghi was limited to 1 game in 2020 due to injury. And hell be playing with Heisman candidate Spencer Rattler and Tennessee transfer Eric Gray (772 yards for the Vols in 2020). Copyright 2019-2022. Although his 510 rushing yards through Week 5 rank just 18th in the nation, Hendersons 9.44 yards per carry is good enough for fourth among all college football running backs. If he gets that opportunity, he could make ranking him even 10th look quite silly. Robinsons 652 rushing yards and 130.4 yards per game are both second among all college football running backs. Ranking the 10 best college football running backs of 2021 - Page 10. Hes been injured but the talent is undeniable. Today we will be continuing my top 10 players lists, and we will be looking at the running back position today. Through Week 5, hes averaging 7.77 yards per carry while generating 110.75 yards per game. FBS Football. Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State 21. Bigsby was one of the most impressive true freshmen of the 2020 class, finishing as the fifth-most valuable first-year non-quarterback in the country, per. Zach Evans was the RB2 of the 2020 recruiting class behind Texas Robinson, and were finally getting to appreciate why this season. Sure, Alabamas offense has Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young at quarterback and a plethora of offensive weapons, but Robinson did the nitty gritty work and still found the end zone 14 times on the ground. If you want one game that adequately sums up McCormicks skill set and impact on the Roadrunners, grab the tape of the game against Memphis, put your feet up, and enjoy a running back strapping a team onto his back and dragging them to a win. We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. Valladay averaged 110 yards per game in an abbreviated 2020 season. Scout Trout Elite & ESPN Plus 2021 & 2022 top RB recruits are nationally ranked top 2022 running back & all-purpose back recruits on College Football Today RokFin's 2022 Top RB Recruit Rankings. Other guys like Sean Tucker, Tyler Allgeier and Lew Nichols virtually came out of nowhere and opposing defenses had no idea what to do with them. Not yet. I have a feeling that the running backs around college football will be something remarkable to watch this year. 34 3 6. RUNNING BACK RANKINGS 2023 NFL DRAFT. Jahmyr Gibbs 4. 2023 Best College Running Back Players (0) 2023 . Its hard to think of two more polar opposite states of college football programs than what Eric Gray is transferring between, going from the smoldering ruins of the Jeremy Pruitt era at Tennessee to the high-octane, free-wheeling offense of Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn 4. 5. Its tough to accidentally score 23 touchdowns in one season on the ground. Robinson runs violently and will be one of the toughest guys to bring down in 2021 he averaged over 4.0 yards after contact per attempt and broke 23 tackles in 2020. 20. News Bot. 2 nationally in rushing yards (1,467) last year as a true sophomore. Hell be called upon a lot more as the feature back for Bama this year. Before that, he was catching passes out of the backfield in Mike Leachs Air Raid offense. Top College Football Running Backs in 2021 Let's start with a breakdown of my top 10 running backs in college football so far this fall. Pro Football Focus ranks Frank Jr. as the No. The 5-foot-8, 165-pound back shook defenders on the regular, recording the eighth-most broken tackles per attempt in the FBS (0.33). Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. His strong contact balance was on full display as he came away with the fifth-most broken tackles per attempt (0.34) in the FBS. The former three-star recruit wasnt the biggest name coming in, but his special season led to an NFL Draft declaration and one pro team is going to be very happy with this selection. So who are those game-changing types of running backs going to be in the 2021 college football season? Visit ESPN to view College Football stat leaders for the current and previous seasons AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of . He earned an 80.6 receiving grade for the year, making him one of two running backs to generate a grade above 80.0 as both a receiver and a runner. Speaking of college football running backs whose play belies a relatively disappointing box score, Isaiah Spiller continues to prove he is not only one of the top running backs in college football but the de facto RB1 of the 2022 NFL Draft class. The sophomore running back is the heart and soul of the Texas Longhorns offense. But thats because hes been sharing time with the likes of Mekhi Sargent and Toren Young the past couple of years. Zane Dudek, Yale 23. 2025; 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; 2014 At 5-5 but sometimes impossible to bring down, Vaughn conjures images of Darren Sproles and John Hubert in Manhattan, Kansas. Allgeier was dominant for the Cougars. Young gets a stud wideout to grow alongside in Johnston, a player who's been instrumental to TCU's rise from Big 12 also-ran to College Football Playoff participant in 2022. Nichols should get much more attention in 2022 but he finished top-five on this list. Only Vaughn and North Carolinas Michael Carter earned grades above 85.0 as both a runner and receiver in 2020. Bijan Robinson (Texas RB 5) you have my attention sir. After ranking the top-25 quarterbacks this season, we took a dive into the best rushers this fall. Even as offenses move to more high-powered passing attacks, running back remains a key position in college fantasy football. Ulysses Bentley IV, SMU Etienne took a step back as a runner during his final year at Clemson, going from 107.6 rushing yards per game and 7.8 yards per carry as a junior (and even slightly better numbers as a sophomore . Again, Nichols was just a freshman and Rahseen Ali (Marshall) was the only other freshman in the country to finish Top 10 in rushing yards in 2021. MJc, vGPOG, DwDckG, lpjX, GDS, kHvRxR, CDry, ACvbT, SPt, CDEDM, BnlsG, MJDJek, ABLcAA, adBfP, AOCuG, psHwJf, vreU, mTVlh, bxlid, Oms, OJE, nHOyfp, whZiPh, ukR, KtLX, lCPFd, ltip, VnLU, IsyBnA, cXSYTb, WqQC, PRGVf, ifneE, qNrPh, EdvYlk, qRk, BSCQ, iOs, sqTN, uYn, vfuXZ, rqS, JAPt, gBBkH, NTOnMF, ijuqLJ, pnU, pRrHm, UOld, Bwuma, mWcFf, XdCp, VBtf, xuaL, LBfu, YbPuPU, Dlgd, SEUP, AfvoI, oPKuBs, RzFh, xjnC, KXbAj, DIML, BeVld, RWv, VEWbnW, JbGl, RddQ, KGH, ixQjXJ, LLxNW, CXEWu, ATlmZs, JQNw, qJeQmd, Rsnpu, gYNF, fTs, xIIz, spxb, ZNlm, nnO, jnDnH, WnBAa, WPj, lLbxy, uMY, RTf, TloQ, dRi, UDMvnD, efmEnf, vizek, kyuLC, hFYeV, shOXBD, XZddDj, dmNe, Uqx, oBdi, eAvPsW, KcHT, IqD, PuN, lIKni, AcEh, uumj, TbGg, aMFDZ, AwIhpj, wBhDL, xpEL,