2025 College Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs

The college football season is fast approaching, and RotoWire's college football staff has written their breakdowns on the top players to target at each position. After kicking things off through the air with our top quarterbacks, next up are the top ground-and-pound backs in college, featuring some of the more heavily utilized backs in the FBS ranks.

Note: These rankings are based on a half-point per reception format and may vary based on the format of your league. Visit our College Football Rankings page to customize the rankings to fit your league's format.

2025 College Fantasy Football Draft Kit

• College Football Projections
• College Football Rankings (linked above)
• College Football Cheat Sheet
• National Championship Picks
• National Championship Odds
• Heisman Odds
• Tapole Bowl Rankings and Strategy
• Underdog Best Ball Tools and Tips
• 2025 Quarterback Rankings

2025 College Football Running Back Rankings

1) Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

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Reid made the jump to Pitt from FCS Western Carolina along with offensive coordinator Kade Bell prior to the 2024 season, and the duo proved they belonged at the level. Reid racked up a combined 393 rushing yards and three touchdowns while piling on nine catches for 117 yards and a score as a receiver through the first two games, adding a 78-yard punt return TD in the opener to boot. Reid thrived in Pitt's new-look uptempo offense under Bell, finishing out the regular season with 151 carries for 797 yards and four touchdowns as a rusher and another 47 grabs for 564 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver out of the backfield despite missing two games. He's viewed as the likely RB1 for the 2025 fantasy campaign and could be in line for a massive campaign if he can stay on the field for all 12 games.

2) Bryson Washington, Baylor

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After starting the 2024 campaign as more of an ancillary option in the backfield, failing to record a touch through the first two games, Washington finally got his hands on the rock in Week 3 and made his impact felt, amassing 12 carries for 106 yards and a score while adding a grab for 23 yards as a receiver. His work really picked up in the second half of the season, averaging 21.2 carries for 136.3 rushing yards and two catches for another 20 yards as a receiver while totaling 11 rushing scores and a receiving touchdown over the final six regular-season games. While Dawson Pendergrass is back, Richard Reese and Dominic Richardson are both out of the picture, paving the way for Washington to serve as a true workhorse in 2025. With Sawyer Robertson at the helm, look for the Bears' offense to be explosive this season, and Washington has the tools to return a top-tier fantasy campaign at the running back position.d

3) Darius Taylor, Minnesota

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Taylor missed the second half of the 2023 campaign due to injury, and things didn't start well, with the star back missing the opener due to a hamstring injury. Fortunately, that was the only contest Taylor missed in 2024, and he went on to log 205 carries for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns over the remaining 11 regular-season games plus the bowl game, also proving to be a weapon as a receiver with 54 grabs for 350 yards and a pair of scores. The Gophers utilized the portal to add some depth to the backfield this offseason in the form of A.J. Turner from Marshall, but the backfield should belong to Taylor until further notice. Max Brosmer was a pleasant surprise under center for Minnesota last season, but he's gone, and Drake Lindsey is a bit of a question mark as well, so it wouldn't be shocking to see a heavier lean on Taylor and the running back room. Look for Taylor to deliver a top-notch running back campaign again this year.

4) Isaac Brown, Louisville

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Brown's 2025 season commenced with him working in a backfield committee alongside Maurice Turner, Keyjuan Brown, Duke Watson and Donald Chaney. By Week 5, Brown started to emerge as the top option in the backfield, amassing 13 carries for 72 yards and four grabs for 23 yards and a score in the contest. He served in more of a workhorse role down the stretch, handling at least 50 percent of the rushing attempts in five of the last games and 43 percent against Miami. The only two games he didn't? A game against Stanford in which he missed most of the game due to injury, and the subsequent week against Pitt in a blowout win. Watson is definitely an intriguing option behind Brown, but all signs point to Brown claiming a clear lead role in an explosive Cardinals offense in 2025, which should result in an improvement on his 147 carries for 1,074 yards and 11 touchdowns and 30 grabs for 152 yards and a score over the 12 regular-season contests last season, making him a top-flight fantasy running back option. 

5) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

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While there were some questions as to how much each of the running backs would be used in 2025, Love emerged as the odds-on favorite to claim the lead role in the backfield as the preseason progressed. That eventually came to fruition, with Love handling a 32 percent carry share to lead the running back room by 11 percent over Jadarian Price. It was, in fact, quarterback Riley Leonard who was second on the team with 124 carries during the regular season. The Fighting Irish offense was efficient enough to get Love into the end zone on the ground at least once in each of the 12 regular-season contests, and he finished with at least two touchdowns (either rushing or a combination of rushing and receiving) in four of the 12 contests. Following the graduation of Leonard, CJ Carr appears poised to claim the starting role under center. While Carr has some functional mobility, he's far from the rusher that Leonard was, so the rushing attack should fall more to Love and the running back room. Price remains the support option here, but Love could be bound for a career year in the backfield in 2025 as the Fighting Irish prepare for a somewhat softer schedule.

6) Anthony Hankerson, Oregon State

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Hankerson was unable to unleash his talent on a full scale during his two seasons in Boulder in 2022 and 2023, but that changed considerably in his first season in Corvallis. He emerged as a true bellcow for the Beavers, amassing 232 carries for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 27 catches for 151 yards. Per the SP+ defensive ratings of their opponent of last year versus this season, Oregon State's schedule lightens a bit in 2025, though a Week 13 bye does leave a building block with a postseason bye week. Even so, Hankerson should more than make up for it with a hefty carry load during the regular season, and improvement on his 2024 numbers shouldn't be off the table. Another top-10 campaign could remain in the cards this year, and Hankerson should be viewed as having top-five upside if things fall right.

7) Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo

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Henderson was one of the top rushers in the MAC Conference in the 2024 season, and he'll return to the Bulls with nothing stopping him from replicating another 1,000-yard season. The 6-foot running back logged 204 carries for 1,078 yards and nine touchdowns in last year's campaign, and this was with a proven quarterback–CJ Ogbonna–still leading a dominant passing game. This year, transfer quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson, who has bounced around many programs in his collegiate career, will be the man under center. This could mean Buffalo relies on the run game even more than last year, especially in games early in the campaign. Henderson sits in a very favorable position for his senior year and should have another elite fantasy campaign in tow as a clear workhorse who has plenty of receiving upside, totaling 19 grabs for 238 yards and a touchdown a season ago.

8) Dylan Edwards, Kansas State

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Edwards is primed for a huge year as the feature back for the Wildcats, who ranked second in the Big 12 in rushing in 2024. He spent most of the previous season as a backup to the NFL-bound DJ Giddens. With Giddens not playing in Kansas State's bowl game, Edwards took full advantage with 20 total touches for 223 yards and three touchdowns. The junior back has elite burst and agility, excelling with his quick acceleration. These are the skills that make him a home-run threat, not to mention a great pass-catching option to form a great pairing with dynamic quarterback Avery Johnson. While there potentially could be some growing pains with a new offensive coordinator in Matt Wells, this team has always revolved its offense around the run game, and there shouldn't be much change in that philosophy this year. Edwards has the potential to be the best running back in the conference.

9) Makhi Hughes, Oregon

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Oregon has a knack for recruiting elite running backs, and Hughes ensures there will be no dropoff at the position after losing Jordan James to the NFL. Hughes is a transfer from Tulane, where he registered 2,779 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns over two years in New Orleans. He's found a perfect situation in Oregon, where a re-tooled coaching staff and offensive system will put Hughes squarely in the spotlight. The sky is the limit for Hughes, who could finish as a Heisman candidate if he replicates his success from the AAC. Hughes shares some similarities with his predecessor, as many of the same adjectives attached to James' playing style also suit Hughes quite well. The 5-11, 210-pound speedster has great vision and patience, and averaged 5.3 yards per carry at Tulane while also displaying adeptness as a pass-catcher. He will be a great security blanket for what will be an inexperienced starter under center.

10) Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

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The Nittany Lions have an embarrassment of riches at running back, but Singleton is the marquee guy at the position. Kaytron Allen's presence as the change-of–pace back helps to keep Singleton fresh for late-game heroics, and he didn't disappoint at critical points last season. He scored five touchdowns over Penn State's two CFP contests, topping off a season where he compiled 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns. Singleton has also distinguished himself as a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield, amassing 78 receptions for 768 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons. The 6-0, 225-pound back will continue to work in tandem with Allen in one, if not the most talented running back room in the country. Singleton is noted for his breakaway speed and pass-catching ability and figures to be a major factor on a national championship-contending offense led by second-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

11) Jahiem White, West Virginia

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White led the backfield in Morgantown in 2024 with 845 yards and seven touchdowns. He's an explosive playmaker, and he's likely to have even more carries in 2025 following teammate CJ Donaldson's transfer to Ohio State. West Virginia welcomes back Rich Rodriguez as head coach, and he's expected to bring his spread-option offense with him. With a quarterback competition in play, expect White to be the center of everything West Virginia does. White may have a season that looks like Steve Slaton or Noel Devine with a ton of zone reads, option plays, and tempo, all designed to get White in open space. As long as White stays healthy, he could be one of the most productive backs in all of the conference and maybe even the country.

12) Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

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Claiborne is likely the best player on Wake Forest's offense, which should be music to fantasy managers' ears. The tailback is coming off a career year in which he ran for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.6 yards-per-carry, while also catching 23 passes for 254 yards and a score. He has elite speed and should be the offensive focal point in Winston-Salem this fall, even with a fresh regime in town in the form of new head coach Jake Dickert and offensive coordinator Rob Ezell. Wake Forest figures to rely on its running game plenty this season, which means a ton of carries for Claiborne, but also his returning backup, Tate Carney, are on tap. The Demon Deacons also have a solid, experienced offensive line this year. Ultimately, Claiborne should once again be a workhorse back in 2025 and has a chance to top the numbers from his career year last season. 

13) Quinten Joyner, Texas Tech

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Joyner projects as a true three-down back for the Red Raiders after spending his first two seasons at USC. He flashed his explosive potential with a 75-yard touchdown run against Penn State in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Joyner will need to beat out teammates J'Koby Williams, Cameron Dickey, and Cam'Ron Valdez for the starting role in the backfield. Whoever does step into the lead role will have to fill big shoes, as Tahj Brooks recorded back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech's offense is expected to play with more tempo and spread formations, which should align with Joyner's desire for open space as a runner and receiver. In the Red Raiders' dynamic system, Joyner could be primed for a breakout campaign.

14) Bryson Donelson, Fresno State

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Donelson was used sparingly early in his freshman season, seeing just 44 carries in his first eight games while backing up Malik Sherrod. However, after Sherrod was sidelined with an injury, Donelson eventually took over as the Bulldogs' primary back, finishing the campaign with 263 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in his final three contests. Donelson will be the early favorite to open 2025 as Fresno State's primary back and seems the likely candidate to handle the bulk of the carries ahead of Elijah Gilliam and Arizona transfer Rayshon Luke, who should see some work as well. Given the roster overhaul at both quarterback and wide receiver, there's a definite possibility Fresno State leans more heavily on the run in 2025, and Donelson looks like the primary contender to benefit most if that occurs.

15) Chip Trayanum, Toledo

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Trayanum is in an interesting spot for his fifth collegiate season after transferring to Toledo back in December. The veteran running back has bounced between three teams previously, with the Rockets now being his fourth, and he hasn't been the star of the show for any of them so far, most recently dealing with injury problems last year at Kentucky. He'll join a Rockets offense whose 2024 RB1, Connor Walendzak, amassed just 458 yards off 128 carries. That said, Trayanum impressed in the spring and is likely head-and-shoulders above the rest, commanding a much larger share of the totes than the lead rusher did a season ago. Walendzak is back to provide depth, as is Willie Shaw, and the team also dipped into the portal for another transfer in Kenji Christian from North Carolina A&T. 

16) Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech

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Haynes has been nothing but electrifying since Georgia Tech moved him from wide receiver to running back during camp before the 2023 season. He exploded for 1,059 rushing yards that year, and last season his total dropped to 944 while he dealt with injuries. He was still a dynamic ball-carrier at times, and also worked on adding receiving chops to his game, catching 28 passes for 166 yards and three scores. One of the biggest reasons to bank on Haynes this season is that his dual-threat quarterback, who also stresses defenses with his legs, Haynes King, returns for 2025. That makes Georgia Tech's backfield one of the most dangerous in the ACC and perhaps the country. Head coach Brent Key and offensive coordinator Buster Falkner remain committed to running the ball down teams' throats, which means both King and Haynes could be primed for their best seasons yet, respectively.

17) Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

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Hardy came out of nowhere to win the starting running back job at Louisiana-Monroe as a true freshman, and then he shocked the nation again by rushing 237 times for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns. He finished with the 12th-most rushing yards in the country. Hardy will look to up the expectations once again in 2025, as he's slated to serve as the top tailback for Missouri as a sophomore. The Tigers used two running backs last season in Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll - both of whom also transferred in from the Sun Belt Conference - and the duo combined for 303 carries, 1,413 yards and 15 touchdowns. Both Noel and Carroll graduated, leaving sophomore Jamal Roberts and freshman Marquise Davis as Hardy's biggest competition for touches. Given the lack of quality alternative options, Hardy should be in line for a workhorse role as a sophomore.

18) Justice Haynes, Michigan

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Haynes was part of a committee backfield with Alabama in 2024, splitting touches with Jamarion Miller. Despite ceding attempts to the more experienced back, Haynes proved to be the more efficient runner, totaling 448 yards and seven touchdowns on nearly six yards per attempt. With running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards both gone, Haynes appears set to slide into the premier spot in the Michigan backfield, giving freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood an experienced runner to rely on behind him. Despite Michigan making an offensive coordinator change to Chip Lindsey in an attempt to "modernize" the offense, the offense remains run-friendly in Ann Arbor. Haynes could be primed for a breakout season as a potential bellcow ball carrier, though Jordan Marshall and UMass transfer CJ Hester remain on hand as options to spell him, with Marshall potentially handling a decent-sized workload himself.

19) Caden Durham, LSU

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Durham had a breakout freshman season as he led LSU in rushing while splitting reps with Josh Williams. With Williams now moved on to the NFL, Durham projects to be a workhorse for the Tigers. Likely picking up the majority of the 117 carries Williams accounted for, Durham could be due for an even bigger season as he also was a stable producer in the passing game, catching 28 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Despite LSU likely having a pass-first offense, the uptick in workload, along with Durham's pass-catching ability, sets him up nicely for the upcoming season. True freshman Harlem Berry and Kaleb Jackson seem the likely candidates to challenge for a workload in the backfield, but Durham seems the odds-on favorite to handle the healthiest touch count of the bunch in one of the more explosive offenses in college football.

20) Greg Desrosiers, Memphis

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Last season, Memphis' run game was paced by Mario Anderson, who carried the ball 236 times for 1,362 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns. Brandon Thomas, while only toting the rock 57 times, scored nine times in his own right. Both are gone, which means a lot of carries and a lot of production need to be replaced. Desrosiers and Sutton Smith, the latter of whom got hurt in Week 1 and missed the rest of the season, are primed to battle for the top spot. Desrosiers missed time as well and only played in seven games. However, he was dynamic in limited touches. Desrosiers averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and he had 21 catches for 175 yards and four touchdowns. Both Desrosiers and Smith should get plenty of run this season, but Desrosiers' upside comes via his expected contributions in the passing attack. This doesn't mean Derosiers will replace Anderson's production in total, but if he gets Anderson's touches, he'll probably get over 1,000 total yards and could compile double-digit touchdowns.

21) Sire Gaines, Boise State

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Gaines and company will have big shoes to fill, replacing 2024 RB1 in college fantasy, Ashton Jeanty, in the Broncos' backfield. Gaines, a former three-star recruit out of California, got off to a fast start as a true freshman in 2024, rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in the season-opener against Georgia Southern before ultimately missing the final 11 games of the season with a lower-body injury. If healthy, Gaines could be poised for a breakout campaign. However, Jambres Dubar and Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod both figure to see opportunities as well, particularly with Gaines still limited in the preseason. Boise State also figures to throw the ball a bit more in 2025, with Maddux Madsen returning for his third season as the starting quarterback. However, the bread and butter of the Broncos' offense is still the ground game, and there is loads of talent in this backfield. Gaines has seen a lot of buzz as the top replacement, but his status should be monitored during fall camp. That said, the upside of claiming the Boise State RB1 may be too high to pass up early in fantasy drafts, and Gaines has been the name drawing the most buzz as the potential heir, though Donelson and Dubar shouldn't be wholly discounted.

22) Kamari Moulton, Iowa

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It's never fun to be the guy after the guy, but Moulton could be in a position to thrive in the spotlight. Replacing the production of Kaleb Johnson is certainly a tough task, but Moulton showed flashes of ability in 2024 as a secondary ballcarrier that should give Hawkeye fans reason for optimism, putting together 473 yards and three touchdowns on 5.6 yards per attempt. With South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski taking over under center, the Iowa offense could prove more explosive than in years past, allowing Moulton to blossom in his new role at the head of the backfield. Jaziun Patterson seems the likely candidate to serve as the No. 2 option in the Hawkeyes' backfield behind Moulton.

23) Jonah Coleman, Washington

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Coleman left Arizona to join coach Jedd Fisch at Washington, and the back did not disappoint with the Huskies in 2024. He compiled 1,011 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, which was good enough for a fifth-place ranking among Big Ten running backs. Washington employs a run-first offense, and Coleman is projected to add another 1,000-yard season to his resume. The further development of quarterback Demond Williams will enhance the offense after a mediocre debut in the Big Ten, and if the unit can execute an RPO offense effectively, there's no limit to what Coleman can achieve this season. He's an every-down back who can catch the ball effectively, and there's very little competition for him to worry about on the depth chart.

24) Waymond Jordan, USC

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The revolving door at running back for USC continues to spin with Jordan, a top JUCO prospect who was the NJCAA Offensive Player of the year last season. Translating explosive numbers to the CFB is no easy task, but the Trojans will need his help after losing Woody Marks to the NFL. Although coach Lincoln Riley likes to air it out, there will be no shortage of work for Jordan, who will continue the tradition of elite running back play that USC is known for. The mass exodus of receivers in the offseason will also place added focus on the running game, and although the depth chart is jammed with several options (including transfer Eli Sanders from New Mexico State), Jordan is expected to end on top, with Sanders serving as a change-of-pace back. If he can adjust to the speed of CFB defenses, Jordan could receive enough volume to be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten.

25) Dylan Carson, Air Force

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Carson got off to a slow start in 2024, rushing for just 153 yards on 41 carries in his first six games. However, the 6-foot running back took over as the Falcons' go-to option down the stretch, rushing for 447 yards and five touchdowns on a staggering 97 carries in his final four contests. Carson should have plenty of opportunities to pick up where he left off in 2024 – Air Force ran the ball on 81.4 percent of their plays in their triple-option attack last year. The Falcons' depth chart remains largely unchanged from last season – Kade Frew and Owen Allen, who combined for 595 rushing yards, are other candidates to see significant touches in the backfield alongside Carson, but Carson seems the likely candidate to head the room.

26) Wayshawn Parker, Utah

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Parker transferred to Salt Lake City during the winter portal window, hailing previously from Washington State, where he rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 season. He did have some minor offseason surgery; however, there isn't any real concern with his health, and he is expected to be a bellcow back in OC Jason Beck's new-look offense at Utah. Based on Beck's previous system at New Mexico, Parker projects to have 150+ carries this year and likely will push for his first 1,000-yard rushing performance. With a mobile QB in Devon Dampier and one of the best offensive lines in the nation, Parker is set up for a productive season. Beck's offense at New Mexico produced an eye-popping 37 touchdowns and 3,043 rushing yards in 2024. Parker's burst, vision, and power will work well in this new system.

27) Emmett Johnson, Nebraska

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Johnson served as part of a three-man committee with the Cornhuskers in 2024, splitting touches with Dante Dowdell and Rahmir Johnson on his way to accounting for 598 yards and a single touchdown on 5.1 yards per carry. Johnson's role also expanded down the stretch, averaging 20.6 touches per game over the last four contests. With the other two running backs out of the picture, Johnson appears set to command the lion's share of opportunities in the backfield in what many are predicting could be a breakthrough season for Nebraska. With fresh faces such as receivers Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter out wide, along with another year of experience for quarterback Dylan Raiola, Johnson could be a beneficiary of an offense expected to take a step forward in 2025.

28) Sieh Bangura, Ohio

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Bangura will return to Ohio for his fifth college season after taking a one-year hiatus in the 2024 campaign with Minnesota. The 6-foot running back logged just four carries for 12 yards last season with the Gophers, which was likely much less than he hoped for after a dominant tenure before the transfer. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Ohio, the redshirt senior logged 400 carries for 1,889 yards and 20 touchdowns, adding 45 receptions for 385 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Given the limited returning production behind Bangura on the depth chart, he should be set to serve as a workhorse again in 2025, though that assumes health isn't a concern after missing some time in spring due to injury.

29) Quintrevion Wisner, Texas

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Wisner was one of the most productive backs in the SEC a year ago, rushing for 1,064 yards and five touchdowns while adding 44 catches for 311 yards and a score as a receiver. With Jaydon Blue departing to the NFL, Wisner is set to lead the Longhorns' backfield for a second straight season. The biggest question for Wisner in terms of workload is how big of a role CJ Baxter plays. As a true freshman in 2023, Baxter rushed 138 times for 659 yards and five touchdowns. He missed the full 2024 campaign after tearing his ACL and PCL during the preseason. Regardless, Wisner should remain the lead back on what's expected to be one of the top offenses in the country, making his fantasy floor incredibly high, especially given how much the Longhorns utilize running backs in the passing game in addition to carrying the ball. Even if Wisner cedes some work to Baxter, it could keep Wisner on fresher legs and improve his efficiency. Wisner averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2024.

30) LJ Martin, BYU

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Martin will be called upon to lead the Cougars' offense in 2025, as last year's starting quarterback, Jake Retzlaff, has transferred to Tulane following some off-the-field issues this offseason. Martin made his mark on the field when healthy last season, rushing for 718 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. He ended the year with an impressive performance as the offensive MVP in the Alamo Bowl, a 36-14 win over Colorado. He'll be atop the depth chart ahead of teammates Sione Moa, Pokaiaua Haunga, and Enoch Nawahine. With the question marks at quarterback, expect BYU to lean heavily on the running game with a game plan centered around physicality in most weeks. The Cougars were already trending this way as they jumped from last in rushing production in the Big 12 in 2023 to 9th in the conference in 2024. 

31) Daniel Hishaw, Kansas

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Hishaw is a sixth-year senior who will finally get his time as the focal point in the Jayhawks' offensive backfield. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2024 as the reserve back behind superstar Devin Neal, who departed for the NFL. To prepare for this opportunity, Hishaw has slimmed down in the off-season with a better nutritional plan. Kansas has elevated a new OC with Jim Zewbrowski, the previous QB coach, and he will look to build on Kansas' 212 rushing yards per game in 2024, which was third-best in the Big 12. Zewbrowski's emphasis on RPOs and play-action should pair well with Hishaw's explosive playmaking ability. The Jayhawks also benefit from experienced quarterback Jalon Daniels and new transfer WRs Emmanuel Henderson (Alabama) and Cam Pickett (Ball State). The passing attack should open running lanes for Hishaw and fellow running back Leshon Williams, a transfer from Iowa.

32) James Peoples, Ohio State

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As a freshman, Peoples didn't see much action with Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson playing ahead of him, but their departures have left the door wide open for the sophomore. Peoples looked great with his opportunities in 2024, compiling 197 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries. The Buckeyes hired Tyler Bowen as the new offensive line and running backs coach, and he'll look to parlay his previous successes at Virginia Tech and Penn State as the team undergoes some key departures in the trenches. If the Buckeyes can plug the holes on the offensive line left by graduates, Peoples should be able to compile excellent numbers as the Buckeyes aim for another deep run in the College Football Playoff. The team dipped into the transfer portal to add CJ Donaldson to the mix, and the two will attempt to replicate much of the success Judkins and Henderson experienced last season, though Peoples seems the likely leader of the room.

33) Hollywood Smothers, NC State

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Smothers is primed to be the top dog in the Wolfpack running back room after largely sharing that title with Jordan Waters last season. Though Waters logged the most carries (95), Smothers finished with the most yards (571) and was also the top receiving threat in the backfield, corralling 19 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Now, this should be Smothers' room, one he'll share with a handful of unproven freshmen. Overall, this is an offense that should be trending upwards, and a big reason why is promising mobile quarterback CJ Bailey. Bailey was thrown into the fire as a true freshman last season, but still finished with respectable numbers (2,413 yards, 17 touchdowns, 64.9 completion percentage, as well as 279 rushing yards and five rushing scores). The presence of a dynamic dual-threat in the Wolfpack backfield, especially one who should only improve as a sophomore, bodes well for NC State's running game and Smothers' production as well. 

34) Nate Frazier, Georgia

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Frazier didn't enter the 2024 season as the lead Dawg in the backfield. However, injuries resulted in the true freshman heading the rushing attack a year ago to the tune of 133 carries for 671 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 12 catches for 85 yards as a receiver. Frazier split carries with Trevor Etienne when Etienne was healthy, but Frazier's 2024 counterpart has moved on to the NFL, leaving Frazier poised to take on the bulk of the load at running back in 2025. A year ago, the Georgia offense favored quarterback Carson Beck, but with Beck's transfer to Miami, the reins have been handed over to Gunner Stockton. Though Stockton showed promise in his starting debut against Notre Dame, expect the Bulldogs to have a more balanced attack on offense this year, as Stockton is still a bit of an unknown, and the Georgia defense will likely be the focal point of the team. The Bulldogs added Josh McCray via the transfer portal to slot into the backfield mix, and the pair figures to be the top two options this season, with Frazier likely heading the attack.

35) Eli Heidenreich, Navy

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You may think you know the score with Heidenreich. He's a Navy running back. Heidenreich will get plenty of carries in the triple-option offense, and that will be that. Heidenreich was the number-three option in the run game in 2024, notching 444 yards and three touchdowns. What was remarkable about his season, though, is that the back had 39 catches for 671 yards and six touchdowns. When was the last time a Midshipmen back had a season like that, much less a running back? That makes Heidenreich quite intriguing. Of course, there are also questions. Doing it once was impressive and eye-catching. It's only once, though. Was this anomalous? If it was, Heidenreich will settle into being your usual number-three rushing option for Navy, but he seems likely to be utilized as a weapon in the passing attack once again, which would again make him an intriguing fantasy asset in 2025 with Blake Horvath remaining under center for the Midshipmen.

36) Cam Edwards, UConn

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Edwards joined Mel Brown, Durell Robinson and Victor Rosa to form an impressive backfield combination in 2024, with Edwards ultimately leading the way and amassing 129 carries for 756 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, adding another 17 carries for 74 yards and a score during the bowl game. Early in the season, the Huskies also utilized dual-threat option Nick Evers for a lot of the ground attack, but Joe Fangnano emerged late in the season to handle the starting duties. While Evers siphoned away a chunk of the totes, the change to a more pro-style option in Fagnano should allow for more totes for Edwards and the backfield. Robinson transferred to Auburn this offseason, leaving Edwards, Brown and Rosa as the primary options heading into 2025. But, we saw Edwards emerge down the stretch as the potential lead back in 2025, handling 43 percent of the team's carries over the final three contests compared to just 30 percent for the year. Even if he doesn't replicate that late-season mark over a full year in 2025, there's undoubtedly room for statistical improvement from him if his carry share increases.

37) Telly Johnson, Northern Illinois

2025 Fantasy Projection

2025 Fantasy Outlook

Northern Illinois ran an almost three-man attack in 2024, utilizing Gavin Williams, Antario Brown and Telly Johnson. Johnson eventually surged in the latter half of his freshman season, logging 103 carries for 480 yards and four touchdowns in the Huskies' last six games. Out of the three, Johnson is the lone ranger set to don a Huskies uniform this fall, and he could be primed for a big season. Johnson will now compete with sophomore Jaylen Poe and DII breakout star Chavon Wright for ball carrier duties, but Johnson still seems bound for the lead role. Look for Johnson to take on a larger role in 2025in his second year, though just how large it is will depend on how much he can separate himself from the other backs in the room. Either way, there's plenty of upside in a typically productive Huskies backfield.

38) TJ Harden, SMU

2025 Fantasy Projection

2025 Fantasy Outlook

Harden has some big shoes to fill in Dallas, as SMU needs to replace its star halfback Brashard Smith. Harden is plenty experienced, having racked up 1,658 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry over three seasons at UCLA. He could be in for the biggest workload of his career this fall, but Derek McFall (106 yards, two touchdowns last season for the Mustangs) is also in the picture, as is Miami (FL) transfer Chris Johnson and true freshman Dramekco Green. Harden's experience should help him earn a sizable role in the backfield, however, along with another unique trait he brings to the table: receiving chops. Last fall for the Bruins, Harden caught 40 passes for 368 yards. With defenses also needing to worry about the legs of star dual-threat quarterback Kevin Jennings, SMU should once again boast a strong running game, which would obviously be fruitful for Harden in 2025. 

39) Carson Hansen, Iowa State

2025 Fantasy Projection

2025 Fantasy Outlook

Hansen was a touchdown hawk in 2024 with 13 rushing scores, the most for a Cyclone since Breece Hall's 21 scores during the 2020 season. He also displayed some versatility with 13 catches for 88 yards and two more touchdowns through the air. This all occurred when Hansen wasn't even in control of the running back room for a decent chunk of the year, ceding plenty of snaps to Abu Sama. That will change in 2025, as he is anticipated to be Iowa State's top back ahead of Sama and Dylan Lee on the depth chart. With a solid starter under center in Rocco Becht, who understands how to utilize play-action and RPO schemes, Iowa State should easily have one of the more efficient run offenses in the Big 12 conference. The Cyclones also added a pair of big-name wide receivers in the transfer portal in Chase Sowell (East Carolina) and Xavier Townsend (UCF), which could help open running lanes for Hansen. Hansen's impact will be on full display early in the season as Iowa State opens with a monster game in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State.

40) Kentrel Bullock, South Alabama

2025 Fantasy Projection

2025 Fantasy Outlook

Bullock worked in tandem with Fluff Bothwell in the South Alabama backfield in 2024, leading the duo in carries 152-111 but logging one fewer rushing yard and six fewer touchdowns than Bothwell. He'll have little to no competition in 2025, with returners PJ Martin (13 carries) and Iverson Celestine (six carries) posing Bullock's biggest threats after Bothwell transferred to Mississippi State. If Bullock can push for 15-20 carries a game, he could be one of the most valuable backs in the Sun Belt and a solid fantasy value. He logged 832 yards on 5.5 yards per carry, 15 catches, 153 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns in 2024, and South Alabama averaged just under 200 rushing yards per game in 2024.

Note: This is just the top 40 ranked running backs for half-PPR formats. Visit the rankings page linked above for complete rankings and projections, customizable to fit your league settings.