2025 NFL Draft Running Back Preview

An early look at 2025's top running backs.

The 2024 NFL Draft didn’t see a running back taken until the 46th overall pick.

That won’t be the case in 2025.

Next year’s class is loaded with some really exciting talent at the position. That’s not to say that the 2024 class didn’t feature some intriguing players like Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, and Jaylen Wright, but none of those players were ever in the conversation to be a first-round pick.

Let’s dive into the tape on the top running backs in the 2025 class, along with a brief look at some other players on the watch list.

1. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

(6’1”, 211 pounds)

There isn’t another running back in the 2024 draft class that can do what Ollie Gordon II is capable of.

Gordon had a breakout 2023 season for Oklahoma State, racking up 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns on 285 carries. His 45 runs of 10-plus yards were the third most in the FBS.

While Gordon isn’t the most explosive or fastest running back, he wins by consistently finding open holes and making defenders miss. He has elite short-area quickness that allows him to make subtle moves to find his way into the open rushing lane.

Once he meets contact, Gordon has an uncanny ability to sneak his way out of it. His size, strength, and constantly-churning legs allow him to routinely break tackles and continue picking up positive yardage.

There are times where Gordon’s patience almost looks like hesitancy. However, with the way he moves and operates, that patience more often than not allows him to generate positive yardage.

As long as he plays at a similar level in 2024, Gordon should make a legitimate case to be a first-round pick.

(Want to learn more about Ollie Gordon II? Subscribe to Draft Talk to get an All-22 film study in your inbox on Wednesday.)

2. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

(6’0”, 219 pounds)

While Gordon is a back who can win with short-area quickness, Quinshon Judkins is all about explosiveness.

Judkins transferred to Ohio State this offseason after a strong two seasons for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was one of the nation’s top running backs over that span, rushing for over 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Despite a well-built 219-pound frame, Judkins consistently wins with downfield explosiveness. He’s quickly capable of reaching top-end play speed, but also has the contact balance to not get tripped up when exploding through the open rushing lane.

On top of that, Judkins is capable of winning with play strength by launching his hips into contact, picking up additional yards through defenders. That strength also shows up in pass protection, where Judkins shows very good effort to meet pass rushers at the line of scrimmage rather than waiting for them.

Judkins will need to continue working on his vision instead of relying on bouncing everything to the outside. He also becomes too top heavy when playing with high pad level, leading to balance issues.

Those are fixable issues, however. He’s such an explosive and competitive weapon that it’s easy to see why Ohio State fans are so excited about Judkins coming to Columbus.

3. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

(5’9”, 210 pounds)

The beauty of the running back position is that players can come in all shapes in sizes. While Ashton Jeanty is one of the shorter backs in this class at 5’9”, his play style makes him one of my favorite players I’ve watched so far for the 2025 draft class.

Jeanty rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 while adding another 569 yards and five touchdowns on 43 receptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged an impressive 4.52 yards after contact per carry (t-5th in FBS) while producing the third-best elusive rating in the country.

Contact balance is where Jeanty makes his living, refusing to get tripped up by weaker tackling attempts. He also shows off good short-area quickness and elusiveness to sidestep defenders as well as solid play strength and good leg drive to keep his legs moving through initial contact.

Jeanty’s biggest issue right now is his ball security. He was credited with five lost fumbles in 2023, but only fumbled once the previous season. He’s also not the most explosive back and doesn’t have the top-end play speed to be a true home run threat.

That’s not Jeanty’s play style, however. He’ll be best utilized at the NFL level as an early-down back capable of picking up tough yards.

4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

(5’10”, 208 pounds)

Ohio State is going to have the most talented running back tandem in the country in 2024. Judkins is the new face for Buckeyes fans, but TreVeyon Henderson has been a fan favorite for a few years.

In three seasons for Ohio State, Henderson has racked up 3,314 yards and 37 touchdowns from scrimmage. He’s been remarkably efficient on the ground with 6.2 yards per carry over that span, but has also turned into an efficient pass-catching weapon. He averaged an impressive 1.48 yards per route run back in 2023.

Henderson wins with short-area quickness and explosiveness. Once he’s able to make one defender miss, he’s able to turn on the jets and fly past defenders taking improper pursuit angles. He also shows off good patience and vision to set up his blockers before taking off.

NFL scouts will be doing their homework on Henderson’s medical history when he goes pro. He missed significant time over the last two seasons due to injury, including a broken foot that included torn ligaments in 2022.

That injury history keeps Henderson from being higher up on early 2025 RB rankings. However, a clean bill of health in 2024 with some highlights plays could help him move up big boards throughout the college football season.

5. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

(6’0”, 220 pounds)

Every NFL team needs a big-bodied running back that they can lean on in short-yardage situations. Omarion Hampton will check those boxes.

Hampton operated as a workhorse for the Tar Heels this past season. He averaged an impressive 5.9 yards per carry, rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns while leading college football with 1,072 yards gained after contact.

Part of that is because of North Carolina’s woeful offensive line play. Still, Hampton is a legitimate threat to break tackles in bunches, using his 220-pound frame and very good contact balance to keep producing YAC. He plays with good pad level and balance to prevent being tripped up.

Hampton isn’t a complete prospect, however. He isn’t particularly explosive and lacks true top-end play speed. He tends to try to force runs by lowering his pads instead of using his vision to find the open rushing lane. He’ll also drop his eyes in pass protection and has some ball security issues with five career fumbles.

Still, there isn’t another RB prospect in this class who can consistently pick up YAC like Hampton. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on him in 2024 as defenses focus in on him now that Drake Maye is in the NFL.

The Other Guys

Trevor Etienne, Georgia

It’s not every day you see a player transfer to his rival school. Trevor Etienne did exactly that by leaving Florida for Georgia. The younger brother of Travis Etienne, he’s a physical and explosive downhill runner. Scouts will have questions about an arrest stemming from DUI and reckless driving charges back in March.

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Blake Corum’s running mate had a down year in 2023, but Donovan Edwards made up for it in the national championship game. He’s an explosive playmaker that can be a real home run threat, but it will be interesting to see if he’s given a heavier workload in 2024.

Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)

Damien Martinez was a key part of Oregon State’s offense over the last two seasons. Now, he’ll be bringing his 232-pound frame to the ACC with the Miami Hurricanes. He has a rare combination of size and top-end play speed, which could help him skyrocket up draft boards with a big 2024 campaign.

Jaydn Ott, California

Cal isn’t a powerhouse, but Jaydn Ott is someone to keep an eye on whenever you end up watching the Golden Bears this season. He’s a legitimate dual-threat running back with 72 receptions over the last two seasons.

Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

If you’re looking for a bowling ball at running back, Tahj Brooks is the player for you. He led college football with 96 forced missed tackles this past season, using his 230-pound frame to his advantage.