The 2024 college football season is almost wrapped up, and with that, the 2025 NFL draft is just around the corner. Running backs in the 2025 NFL draft have a strong case to be the strongest position group. Between thumping downhill runners, speedy change of pace options and the monsters in the Midwest, there’s a back for every team need.
10. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Sampson had a prolific 2024 season in the Tennessee offense. His greatest attribute is his speed, but don’t let that fool you. He forced 70 missed tackles in 2024, and over half of his yards came after contact. Sampson profiles as a strong 1b for a committee, or a backup with some serious juice.
9. Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Not to permeate stereotypes, but Monangai is definitely a Kyle. All jacked up on Monster, he runs like he’s trying to punch a hole in dry wall. He’s had back to back 1,000-yard seasons and brings a physical element to whatever team selects him in April.
Kyle Monangai Scouting Report
8. Devin Neal, Kansas
Mongangai has exceptional power. Sampson has speed. Neal has neither, but he plays the position the right way and will stick around the league for a long time. From pass protection to vision to setting up blockers, Neal does all of the little things well and has the size to handle a heavy workload. The biggest flaw in his game is his lack of explosiveness, but he doesn’t rely on that to win at the college level so the transition should be easy enough.
Devin Neal Scouting Report
7. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Skattebo is one of the grumpiest rushers among the running backs in the 2025 NFL draft. He throws his weight around well and has surprisingly soft hands for a back with his playstyle. He brings an element of smash mouth football blended with the finesse required to succeed in the modern NFL.
Cam Skattebo Scouting Report
6. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Most of the running backs on this list had better counting stats than Singleton in college. But Singleton was splitting time with an effective back in Kaytron Allen, and dealt with injuries that held him back in 2023. There are times where Singleton looks like the best athlete in the Big 10. There are also times where he looks lost and disinterested in pass protection. He’s going to set the combine on fire, and if he reaches his full athletic potential he’s a gem for years to come.
5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Johnson’s 2024 season was insane. He’s an early declare who just had over 1,000 yardsafter contact. He’s best served in a zone scheme, but with his power and fluid hips he can translate to most systems and have an immediate impact. He just put together a fairly casual season with 21 touchdowns, over six yards per carry and more missed tackles forced per attempt than Saquon Barkley’s best college season.
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Not many of the running backs in the 2025 NFL draft have experience in multiple systems. None of them have the same track record of excellence in multiple systems as Judkins. He was the Ole Miss lead back for two seasons before transferring to Ohio State, and paired up with TreVeyon Henderson they were borderline unstoppable. Teams that want a between the 20s rusher with some pass catching upside, Judkins will be higher on their list. For teams wanting an explosive pass catcher with less on the ground excitement:
3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
If Henderson declared in 2024 he would have been the RB1. To be fair, that’s likely true for each of the running backs from one through six or seven in this draft. Henderson doesn’t bring as much power at the collision point as the two previous names, but he’s more adept as a receiver and likely the fastest back in the top five. He’ll never be the only guy for a team, but he can handle all the passing game work and occupy 50-60 percent of the rushing attack.
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
If Ashton Jeanty didn’t exist, folks would be over the moon for Hampton. He was second in the NCAA in rushing, one of the best receiving backs in the nation, and played behind one of the worst offensive lines in the ACC (which is saying something). Hampton brings burst, vision and contact balance to a team next fall and the only thing holding him back from being a top running back out of the gate is his lack of a sixth gear.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Not many running backs can stand like Michael Myers in the backfield and get away with it. Jeanty doesn’t bother with a traditional stance. Just give him the ball and get the heck out of the way. To put it in perspective, Kaleb Johnson was exceptional as a rusher/receiver with 78 missed tackles forced across both. Jeanty forced163missed tackles. That’s bananas. That can’t be real. But it is, and Jeanty is the top running back in the 2025 NFL draft and deserves every bit of hype that comes with it.
Watch: Ashton Jeanty All-22 Film Study
Main Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
