• The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded at running back: There are as many as four tailbacks from next year’s draft who could’ve been the first running back taken in 2024.
• Ollie Gordon II is the name to know: The Oklahoma State junior is the early top candidate to be RB1 next year after winning the Doak Walker Award in 2023.
• The 2025 NFL Draft starts now: Try PFF's Mock Draft Simulator — trade picks and players and mock for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The 2024 NFL Draft seemed to be stacked at every offensive position except running back. The first halfback off the board, Jonathon Brooks, wasn’t taken until the No. 46 pick — the latest for RB1 to be picked in a decade.
Don’t expect that trend to continue in 2025. As many as four running backs from next year’s class could’ve been the first off the board this year. Here are the 10 running back prospects to know as we head into summer scouting for the 2025 NFL Draft.
(Please note: This isn’t necessarily a ranking of the top-10 prospects, rather a watch list.)
Check out our other 2025 NFL Draft summer watch list positional lists
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
The reigning Doak Walker Award winner led all FBS running backs this past season with 1,732 rushing yards and placed second in both rushing touchdowns (21) and yards after contact (1,056). He also placed third among Power Five backs with 330 receiving yards last year. Making those numbers even more eye-popping is the fact he only received 25 total touches across the first three games while Oklahoma State finished just 102nd in team run-blocking grade.
He has elite vision and footwork and is an excellent athlete as well, placing third among FBS running backs with a maximum speed of 23.1 miles per hour last season.
Ollie Gordon II is a superstar
That jump cut in the hole is ???????? pic.twitter.com/yJXCmegYlS
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 21, 2023
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Judkins has been the most productive Power Five back over his first two seasons of college football. Since 2022, the former Ole Miss tailback leads that group in rushing yards (2,726), yards after contact (1,800) and forced missed tackles (154). Judkins has fantastic contact balance at six-foot, 219 pounds with great vision as well.
The only player with more forced missed tackles than Quinshon Judkins is Bijan Robinson.
Judkins is a true freshman.pic.twitter.com/Ipx09mraHw
— Max Chadwick (@MaxChadwickCFB) November 1, 2022
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Hampton is a bruising back at 6 feet and 220 pounds, as evidenced by his FBS-leading 1,072 yards after contact this past season. He has serious juice at that size, hitting a top speed of 23 miles per hour (fourth among FBS running backs in 2023). North Carolina placed just 101st in team run-blocking grade (55.5) as well, so Hampton has had to work for every yard he’s gained.
Omarion Hampton against Clemson:
• 19 carries
• 178 yards
• 2 touchdownsAnother huge performance by Hamptonpic.twitter.com/DsfrZOHfKs
— Ensign Gridiron (@EnsignGridiron) November 19, 2023
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Jeanty’s 95.1 grade in 2023 led all FBS backs, and he was the only one in the country with 90.0-plus rushing and receiving grades. Jeanty’s 578 receiving yards this past season were 95 more than the next-closest running back in the nation, and he was third in that group with 82 forced missed tackles on the ground. He’s an elite athlete for the position and is easily the most versatile back in the 2025 class.
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Following an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, Henderson began to look more like himself as a junior. His 90.0 grade in 2023 was seventh among Power Five running backs. Henderson’s 5.9 yards per attempt were second among Big Ten running backs in this past season. He’s a very good receiving back as well, posting 1.48 yards per route run in 2023 (11th among Power Five running backs).
He still missed three games this past season due to injury, so adding Judkins in Columbus should hopefully keep Henderson fresher in his senior year.
Marv’s injury sucked the energy out of the TD run, but my goodness is TreVeyon Henderson so back. pic.twitter.com/vusBxCbRIi
— Buckeye Fett™ (@BuckeyeFett) September 24, 2023
Jaydn Ott, California
Ott has been the engine of California’s offense throughout his first two seasons of college football. Among Power Five running backs since 2022, he’s ninth in rushing yards (2,201), seventh in yards after contact (1,394), fifth in forced missed tackles (108) and sixth in receiving yards (517). Ott gets up to top speed quickly at 6 feet and 200 pounds. His 160 plays where he hit at least 15 miles per hour since 2022 rank third among FBS running backs.
It’s just the beginning for this freshman. ????
Jaydn Ott’s second 70+ yard TD in @CalFootball’s win over Arizona is this week’s @76 #FanFueledMoment. pic.twitter.com/radUcXSjQl
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 29, 2022
Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Edwards had a disappointing junior campaign, rushing for just 497 yards on 119 attempts as he served as the complementary back to Blake Corum. He flashed superstar ability before though, as evidenced in the national championship win over Washington. Edwards ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries, averaging a ridiculous 17.3 yards per attempt. He’s also a dangerous threat as a receiver with 456 receiving yards over the last two seasons.
With Corum and quarterback J.J. McCarthy off to the NFL, Edwards has an opportunity to launch up draft boards as Michigan’s bell-cow.
“I’ll go down as one of the greatest running backs to play the game. I’ll be up there with Walter Payton and Barry Sanders.”
Donovan Edwards doesn’t have high expectations for himself, he has ???? expectations.
Interview with @DEdwards__ dropping tomorrow!@UMichFootball x @PFF pic.twitter.com/M5neNb7EPK
— Max Chadwick (@MaxChadwickCFB) August 6, 2023
Devin Neal, Kansas
Neal has been one of the most productive running backs in the nation over the last couple of seasons. Since 2022, the junior’s 2,373 rushing yards trail only Quinshon Judkins and Blake Corum among Power Five rushers. His 25 rushing touchdowns in that span are third in that same group to Corum, Judkins and Audric Estime. He’s an incredibly shifty back with elite change-of-direction ability, frequently breaking defenders’ ankles with his jump cuts.
Devin Neal is in store for a HUGE season????
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 2, 2023
Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
Martinez has quietly been one of the most productive running backs in college football over his first two seasons at Oregon State. Since 2022, his 1,304 yards after contact are fourth among returning Power Five backs. In that same span, 68 of his carries have gone for 10-plus yards, trailing only Quinshon Judkins among Power Five rushers.
He’s a bigger running back at 6-foot, 232 pounds who’s still been able to hit over 20 miles per hour five times in his career. Martinez will need to show more on passing downs at Miami as he’s struggled both as a receiver and as a pass-protector in his career.
Damien Martinez takes the first Oregon State snap 64 yards to the house.
Starting the new Reser Stadium era with a bang pic.twitter.com/od5KWFAB3R
— T.J. Mathewson (@tjmathewson) September 10, 2023
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Like Martinez, Brooks is a massive running back at 5-foot-10, 230 pounds and defenders routinely bounce off his frame. The senior led the nation this past season with 96 forced missed tackles and was fourth in the country in both yards after contact (998) and rushing yards (1,547). He also moved the chains more than anyone else in the country in 2023, with 96 of his carries going for a first down or touchdown. Also like Martinez, Brooks doesn’t add much in the passing game (70 receiving yards in 2023). He’s an above-average athlete who doesn’t shy away from contact, pointing to a potential role as a short-yardage back in the league.
Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks has been showcasing his rugged running style against Texas all night. Impressive contact balance here.
Brooks is an underrated RB prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class. pic.twitter.com/mNf6jAe5ql
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) November 25, 2023
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