Top 10 Running Backs Entering the 2025 College Football Season

• Jam Miller, Alabama
• Jadan Baugh, Florida

• Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma
• CJ Donaldson, Ohio State
• Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami
• Isaac Brown, Louisville
• Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
• Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Without further ado, here are our top ten running backs entering the 2025 college football season.

10. Bryson Washington, Baylor Bears

Entering his redshirt sophomore season, Bryson Washington will look to build on an impressive 2024 campaign.

On 175 rushes, he totaled 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. One thing that makes Washington stand out is his ability to produce multiple 100-yard games in a row. On Nov. 2, he rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns against TCU, and three weeks later, he followed it up with 192 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas. Those two performances showcased just how much of a game-changer he can be.

One of his biggest performances came against West Virginia, when he rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns while also catching a touchdown pass. This game showcased his potential as a dual threat every time he steps on the field.

In 2024, Washington finished with 175 carries for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he continues to improve, he’ll be a major problem for opposing defenses.

9. Jonah Coleman, Washington Huskies

Entering his senior season, Jonah Coleman hopes to continue climbing the ladder of improvement.

In his first two seasons, he rushed for 372 yards and 871 yards as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. After a junior campaign with 193 carries for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns, he proved he has the ability to be a game-changing back.

Coleman is not only a physical runner, but also one who displays excellent vision, patience and speed. With those elite qualities, he’ll have the opportunity to prove he’s capable of producing 1,200 to 1,300 rushing yards. Coleman has also never fumbled in his college career, reinforcing his reliability.

His game draws comparisons to former NFL  running back Le’Veon Bell.

In his junior season, he had five 100-yard games, a sign of a back looking to control the game and contribute consistently. The Huskies are coming off a 6-7 season, and Coleman is the X-factor for a successful 2025 campaign.

8. Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

After two productive seasons at Georgia Tech, Jamal Haynes enters his junior season ready to make an impact.

Not only is Haynes an explosive athlete, but he’s also a tough runner with the ability to make defenders miss. His athleticism helped the team win games, including a 68-yard touchdown against North Carolina.

Though 2024 was considered a slight down year compared to his freshman season, Haynes has all the tools to return to the 1,000-yard mark. As a sophomore, he rushed for 944 yards and nine touchdowns on 169 carries. His ability as a pass catcher added three more scores. Overall, he totaled 1,110 all-purpose yards— a number he’ll look to surpass this season.

The hype may not be as big right now, but the numbers show that he can be a top-10 back in college football this year.

7. Caden Durham, LSU Tigers

After an exciting freshman season, Caden Durham will look to prove that last season was just the beginning of a great career. Averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 9.3 yards per reception, he’s a back who can move the chains and help put his team in more manageable situations.

For the LSU offense, Durham totaled 1,013 all-purpose yards (753 rushing, 260 receiving), proving as a valuable contributor to their success. Along with those yards, he scored eight touchdowns, showcasing his game-breaking speed and playmaking ability.

With his threat as a runner and pass catcher, expect Durham to surpass his mark of 1,013 all-purpose yards. Even with Garrett Nussmeier returning and the receiver trio of Nic Anderson, Aaron Anderson and Barion Brown, Durham will be key to the Tigers’ offensive success.

6. Jahiem White , West Virginia Mountaineers

After two consistent years at West Virginia, Jahiem White is primed to break out and surpass the 1,000-yard mark.

White’s game combines quickness, physicality, vision, balance and change of pace. Together, these qualities make him a running back who should get plenty of attention this season.

White will enter this season with a chip on his shoulder. After being left off the All-Big 12 team — behind running backs Cam Skattebo, RJ Harvey, DJ Giddens, and Taj Brooks — and with no honorable mention, he’s ready to prove that he belongs. With CJ Donaldson transferring to Ohio State, White is expected to be the lead back and build on last season. That expectation earned him a preseason All-Big 12 nod.

Last season, White rushed for 845 yards and seven touchdowns on 149 carries. In 2023, he rushed for 842 yards and four touchdowns, proving that he is consistent and productive. With Rich Rodriguez returning as head coach, White can thrive and be someone the Mountaineers lean on.

He also had three 100-yard games last season, including a breakout performance against Oklahoma State, where he rushed for 158 yards. Heading into 2025, White will be the X-factor for a successful first season under Rodriguez.

5. Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh Panthers

In 2024, Desmond Reid was a versatile back and a key player in Pitt’s ability to move the ball. As a returner, receiver, and rusher, he consistently contributed big moments.

Before becoming a star at Pitt, Reid spent two seasons at Western Carolina, where he showed that he can be a dual threat. In those two seasons combined, he would rush for 1,721 yards and total 495 receiving yards. Last season, he proved that no matter the competition, he would show up.

Reid accounted for 1,545 all-purpose yards and nine all-purpose touchdowns last season. He rushed for 966 yards on 184 carries and caught 52 passes for 579 yards. Not only was he a threat on offense, but he also made an impact in the return game, scoring a touchdown on a 78-yard return.

Since 2015, Reid is the second player, after Christian McCaffery, to have three games with 100 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards. Along with this accomplishment, he was named first-team All-ACC returner and all-purpose player, and earned an All-ACC honorable mention at running back.

For the Panthers to find success on offense this season, everything must continue to run through Reid. With consistent improvement each year, he’s poised to crack the 1,000-yard rushing mark and surpass 1,500 all-purpose yards.

4. Kaytron Allen, Penn State Nittany Lions

Kaytron Allen makes up one half of Penn State’s deadly backfield duo. Even while sharing the spotlight with Nicholas Singleton, Allen held his own. He was named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award watch list and earned All-Big Ten team honorable mention recognition.

Returning for his senior season, Allen will look to build on a year in which he totaled 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also a factor in the passing game, catching 18 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. A downhill runner, Allen brings physicality to the goal line and in short-yardage situations. His agility and big-play ability also contribute to why he’s ranked No. 4 on this list.

The highlight of his season came in the College Football Playoff, when he rushed for 134 rushing yards against Boise State. Entering this season, he’ll be a key piece in Penn State’s push for a national championship and in managing the high expectations surrounding the program.

3. Darius Taylor, Minnesota Golden Gophers

Darius Taylor earns the No. 3 spot on this list for a good reason. With his ability to break open games with explosive plays and his punch-you-in-the-mouth running style, he brings a dangerous blend of power and finesse. Last season, Taylor was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention and is looking to make an even bigger step this season.

As a sophomore, he’ll be looking to build on a strong campaign in which he totaled 986 yards and 10 touchdowns on 205 carries. He averages 4.8 yards per rush, thanks to his ability to gain yards after contact and break off big runs. In the passing game, Taylor caught 54 passes for 350 yards with two touchdowns, showcasing his versatility. A fun highlight from last season: he even completed a touchdown pass against Virginia Tech.

Heading into 2025, Taylor has the potential to be a Doak Walker Award contender and one of the top three running backs in college football. After totaling 1,236 all-purpose yards last season, he’s poised to approach the 1,500-yard mark this year. His versatility and high football IQ are key reasons he ranked  No. 3 on the list.

2. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State Nittany Lions

The other half of the Penn State dynamic duo ranks just behind the No. 1 spot on the list.

Nicholas Singleton is vital to the Nittany Lions’ offense thanks to his elite skill set and ability to wear out defenses. In 2024, he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention, a midseason All-American selection by the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and named to the watch lists for the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year. That list alone highlights his value to the program.

Last season, Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 172 carries, while also catching 41 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns. His versatility was on full display, as he totaled 1,474 all-purpose yards. Against Wisconsin, he showcased his elite hands with a highlight-reel one-handed catch.

If Singleton continues to develop at this pace, he and Kaytron Allen will remain a nightmare for opposing defenses. In what could be a special senior season, Singleton will look to finish with a championship and boost his draft stock.

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

After ripping off a 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana in the College Football Playoff, Jeremiyah Love gave fans a glimpse of what the 2025 season could look like. Right now, Love is arguably the best athlete at running back in college football— and he has the potential to be this year’s Heisman Trophy winner. He has potential to be this years Heisman winner.

In 2024, Love recorded 163 carries for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns, while adding 28 passes for 237 yards and two more scores. The only thing that slowed him down was a knee injury suffered against USC, which limited his effectiveness in the College Football Playoff. But when healthy, Love is extremely difficult to stop.

His ability to break off runs of 68, 39, and 48 for touchdowns showed that once he got into open space, he’s a major big-play threat. Love’s combination of speed and physicality makes him one of the elite running backs in college football.

After falling short to Ohio State in the national championship, Love will carry a chip on his shoulder as he looks to help lead Notre Dame back to the big stage. With Jadarian Prince sharing the backfield, Love should stay fresh throughout the season and continue his dominance in college football.