The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football running backs heading into the 2026 season.
Note: There is some projection in these rankings for the upcoming season. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.
25. Ja’Kyrian Turner, Pittsburgh Panthers
Turner had 745 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry as a freshman last season. If he can build on that, he can prove to be one of the better running backs in the sport.
24. Jordon Davison, Oregon Ducks
Davison was a freshman last season in a backfield-by-committee, but still rushed for 667 yards and 16 touchdowns. He should get more work this year and could help Oregon win a national championship.
23. Carson Hansen, Penn State Nittany Lions
Bishop rushed for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for Tennessee. He returns and will have to help break in a new quarterback.
22. Raleek Brown, Texas Longhorns
After three years at Texas and Arizona State, Brown broke out in his fourth college season for the Sun Devils in 2025. He totaled nearly 1,400 yards and six touchdowns for the Sun Devils and now is in a great running back duo at Texas.
21. Cam Dickey, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Dickey accounted for a lot of the Red Raiders’ offense last season, as he had 1,124 rushing yards, 224 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Brendan Sorsby is not on the team anymore, so a lot of the offensive load will be on Dickey again.
20. Wayne Knight, UCLA Bruins
Knight rushed for 1,373 yards and had 397 receiving yards last season at James Madison. He followed head coach Bob Chesney to UCLA this offseason and will test his talents against Big Ten competition.
19. King Miller, USC Trojans
As a walk-on last season, Miller ran with his opportunity. He had over 1,000 total yards and eight touchdowns, which sets up for a big 2026 season in the USC offense.
18. Cam Cook, West Virginia Mountaineers
After two mundane seasons at TCU, Cook transferred to Jacksonville State and produced. He had 1,659 rushing yards, 286 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns with the Gamecocks. Now, he will go back to the Big 12 by suiting up for West Virginia.
17. Harlem Berry, LSU Tigers
Berry rushed for 491 yards, but his talent showed flashes despite the Tigers struggling on offense. Now in Lane Kiffin’s offense, Berry has the chance to put up some serious numbers.
16. DeSean Bishop, Tennessee Volunteers
Bishop rushed for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns last season for Tennessee. He returns and will have to help break in a new quarterback for the Volunteers.
15. Darius Taylor, Minnesota Golden Gophers
In 10 games, Taylor rushed for 670 yards and also had 245 receiving yards. He dealt with injury and wasn’t himself, so he’s hoping to get back to form this season for the Golden Gophers.
14. Hollywood Smothers, Texas Longhorns
Smothers started his career at Oklahoma, but found success at NC State. Last season, he totaled 939 rushing yards, 189 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Now, he’ll join Raleek Brown at Texas to help improve their ground game.
13. Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
In seven games for Michigan last season, Haynes rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns on 7.1 yards per carry. The former Alabama running back will now play for Georgia Tech, where he will get his chance to be the main running back all season long.
12. Nate Sheppard, Duke Blue Devils
Sheppard rushed for 1,132 yards during his freshman season. Although his starting quarterback moved on, he can still find success this season.
11. Jordan Marshall, Michigan Wolverines
Marshall rushed for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns for Michigan last season, while splitting time with Justice Haynes when he was healthy. Now, he’ll probably get more work this season.
10. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Raymond totaled 1,241 rushing yards, 225 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for Rutgers last season. He leads an intriguing group of skill position players for the Scarlet Knights this season.
9. Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Hawkins put up huge numbers at North Texas last season, putting up 1,434 rushing yards, 370 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns. He followed a lot of the North Texas team and staff who moved on to Oklahoma State this season.
8. Bo Jackson, Ohio State Buckeyes
Although he didn’t begin the year as the starter, Jackson took over the role for Ohio State last season. he rushed 1,090 yards and six touchdowns, with more expected of him this season.
7. Nate Frazier, Georgia Bulldogs
Frazier rushed for 947 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Bulldogs. He improved his stats from his freshman to sophomore season and another jump could really boost the Georgia offense.
6. Mark Fletcher, Miami Hurricanes
Miami made the National Championship Game with a lot of credit going to the running game. Fletcher rushed for just under 1,200 yards, showing his power along the way.
5. LJ Martin, BYU Cougars
Martin could’ve gone pro after he rushed for 1,305 yards and also totaled 255 receiving yards as well. The versatile back could help BYU compete for a Big 12 Championship this season.
4. Isaac Brown, Louisville Cardinals
In only nine games played due to injury, Brown rushed for 884 yards and seven touchdowns. He had a more productive freshman season, and if he stays healthy, he can create big plays.
3. Jadan Baugh, Florida Gators
Baugh was a bright spot on a Florida team that struggled last season. He totaled 1,170 rushing yards, 210 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He is tough to tackle and will carry the Florida offense this season.
2. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri Tigers
After a great freshman season at UL Monroe, Hardy proved he can produce at the SEC level with 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns with the Tigers. Hardy was shot in the upper leg at a concert in May and his timetable to return is still unclear, but if he is 100 percent healthy, he should be one of the best running backs in college football.
1. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss Rebels
Lacy began his career at Missouri, but didn’t produce much. After transferring to Ole Miss last season, he rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns as he helped Ole Miss make the CFP Semifinals. With he and Trinidad Chambliss back, Ole Miss will be looking to make a return to the CFP.
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