Complete 2025 NFL Draft RB Rankings:
You are currently viewing our running back rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft. This running back class is looking exceptionally deep, but the value of running backs has gone through a dramatic decline in recent years. How will that affect this year’s talent?
Our top running back prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented ball carriers in college football. Even though only about 20 will get selected in an average draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know who will be a star, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2025 NFL draft running back prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: January 15, 2025)
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
RB | 5’9″ | 215 lbs | 3rd Year
Ashton Jeanty is just about the perfect running back prospect.
He finished the season with the second most rushing yards ever, excelling both as a short distance back and as a long run threat. Jeanty has the speed, but his contact balance and elusiveness is truly next level. He shattered Pro Football Focus records for broken tackles in a season, as well as yardage after contact.
While he’s short, he has the strong compound frame to run through you for extra yardage, and next level acceleration that can’t be measured with NFL Combine metrics.
What’s fans might not know from the stats is that Jeanty is also an elite receiver and impressive pass blocker. He totaled 569 receiving yards in 2023, showcasing soft hands and decent route running.
Really the only worry for Jeanty is that he has a ton of college snaps, which correlates with a higher risk of injury.
Ashton Jeanty 2024 Stats
14 games: 2601 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 7.0 yards per carry, 23 receptions, 138 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
RB | 6’1″ | 220 lbs | 3rd Year
In an average running back class, Hampton would be the obvious #1 at his position.
The 6’1″ 220 pound running back runs with elite power, but also has plenty of speed to break long runs or beat the defense to the edge. He shows impressive vision and patience, and breaks tackles as well as anyone not named Ashton Jeanty. He finished 2nd in all of college football in yards after contact, and has the physical traits to translate that to the NFL.
Hampton is also versatile, showing reliable hands as a receiver and a willingness to pass block when needed. Whoever lands him will get an every down back with no major weaknesses.
Omarion Hampton 2024 Stats
12 games: 1660 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 5.9 yards per carry, 38 receptions, 373 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
3. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
RB | 5’11” | 200 lbs | 3rd Year
Dylan Sampson exploded this season for Tennessee, finishing near the top of the country in every category for a running back.
The 3rd year back isn’t as big as most of the other top prospects in the class, but he runs just as hard. He runs like he has springs in his feet, with effortless jump cuts and great vision that combine to help him weave through holes.
His burst and agility are certainly his top traits, but he also has a strong understanding of leverage and isn’t afraid to drop a linebacker with poor technique. His hands and blocking are decent, but he’ll want to improve his routes out of the backfield as he’ll likely start his career as a high end RB2.
Dylan Sampson 2024 Stats
13 games: 1491 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry, 20 receptions, 143 receiving yards
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
RB | 6’0″ | 220 lbs | 3rd Year
Quinshon Judkins looked like a future first round pick during his true freshman season at Ole Miss, but has steadily seen a decrease in production throughout his short 3 year career.
Judkins isn’t as shifty as the running backs listed above him, mostly working as a one cut runner. What he lacks in shiftiness he makes up for with an elite combination of size and speed. The 220 pound back is one of the most powerful runners in the class, seeking out contact and running with bad intentions. He has plenty of speed to breakaway, along with decent vision.
Quinshon Judkins 2023 Stats
15 games: 960 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 5.2 yards per carry, 20 receptions, 140 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
RB | 6’0″ | 225 lbs | 3rd Year
Kaleb Johnson was one of the biggest breakout stars in all of college football as a junior in 2024, upping his numbers from 463 yards and 3 touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry, all the way to 1537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry.
That breakout was no fluke. Johnson is a big back with a nose for the end zone, while also have great speed and fluidity in the open field. He changes speeds well and understands how to set up his blockers, while having the power to routinely fall forward.
When a hole is open, his acceleration is special for a 225 pound running back. Add in his improved ability as a receiver and you have a day 1 starter.
Kaleb Johnson 2023 Stats
12 games: 1537 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 6.4 yards per carry, 22 receptions, 188 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Complete 2025 RB Draft Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | 3rd | 5'9" | 215 |
| 2 | Omarion Hampton | North Carolina | 3rd | 6'1" | 220 |
| 3 | Dylan Sampson | Tennessee | 3rd | 5'11" | 200 |
| 4 | Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State | 3rd | 6'0" | 220 |
| 5 | Kaleb Johnson | Iowa | 3rd | 6'0" | 225 |
| 6 | TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | 4th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 7 | Ollie Gordon II | Oklahoma State | 3rd | 6'2" | 225 |
| 8 | Cameron Skattebo | Arizona State | 5th | 5'10" | 225 |
| 9 | Woody Marks | USC | 5th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 10 | Jarquez Hunter | Auburn | 4th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 11 | DJ Giddens | Kansas State | 3rd | 6'1" | 215 |
| 12 | Bhayshul Tuten | Virginia Tech | 4th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 13 | Tahj Brooks | Texas Tech | 5th | 5'10" | 230 |
| 14 | RJ Harvey | UCF | 6th | 5'9" | 205 |
| 15 | Kyle Monangai | Rutgers | 5th | 5'9" | 210 |
| 16 | Jordan James | Oregon | 3rd | 5'10" | 210 |
| 17 | Damien Martinez | Miami (FL) | 3rd | 6'0" | 230 |
| 18 | Raheim Sanders | South Carolina | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 19 | Kalel Mullings | Michigan | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 20 | Devin Neal | Kansas | 4th | 5'11" | 215 |
| 21 | LeQuint Allen | Syracuse | 3rd | 6'0" | 200 |
| 22 | Trevor Etienne | Georgia | 3rd | 5'9" | 205 |
| 23 | Phil Mafah | Clemson | 4th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 24 | Donovan Edwards | Michigan | 4th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 25 | Lan Larison | UC-Davis | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 26 | Ja'Quinden Jackson | Arkansas | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 27 | ShunDerrick Powell | Central Arkansas | 4th | 5'9" | 180 |
| 28 | Montrell Johnson Jr. | Florida | 4th | 5'11" | 215 |
| 29 | Jaydon Blue | Texas | 3rd | 6'0" | 200 |
| 30 | Brashard Smith | SMU | 4th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 31 | Nate Noel | Missouri | 5th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 32 | Mario Anderson | Memphis | 6th | 5'9" | 210 |
| 33 | Micah Bernard | Utah | 6th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 34 | Justice Ellison | Indiana | 5th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 35 | Chip Trayanum | Kentucky | 5th | 5'11" | 235 |
| 36 | Braedon Sloan | Ball State | 4th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 37 | Peny Boone | UCF | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 38 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Arizona | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 39 | Quinton Cooley | Liberty | 5th | 5'7" | 220 |
| 40 | Corey Kiner | Cincinnati | 4th | 5'9" | 210 |
| 41 | Jordan Waters | NC State | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 42 | Marcus Carroll | Missouri | 5th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 43 | Treshaun Ward | Boston College | 6th | 5'10" | 195 |
| 44 | Jalen White | Georgia Southern | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 45 | Ty Son Lawton | Indiana | 7th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 46 | Marcus Yarns | Delaware | 5th | 5'11" | 185 |
| 47 | Ulysses Bentley IV | Ole Miss | 6th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 48 | Noah Whittington | Oregon | 5th | 5'8" | 205 |
| 49 | Roydell Williams | Florida State | 5th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 50 | Marcus Major | Minnesota | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 51 | Antario Brown | Northern Illinois | 4th | 5'10" | 220 |
| 52 | Chez Mellusi | Wisconsin | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 53 | Reggie Love III | Purdue | 5th | 5'11" | 190 |
| 54 | EJ Smith | Texas A&M | 5th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 55 | Josh Williams | LSU | 6th | 5'9" | 205 |
| 56 | Kay'ron Lynch-Adams | Michigan State | 6th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 57 | Braydon Bennett | Coastal Carolina | 5th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 58 | Lawrance Toafili | Florida State | 5th | 6'0" | 195 |
| 59 | Nate Carter | Michigan State | 5th | 5'10" | 200 |
| 60 | Amar Johnson | South Dakota State | 4th | 5'10" | 205 |
| 61 | Marion Lukes | Central Michigan | 4th | 5'9" | 210 |
| 62 | Quali Conley | Arizona | 5th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 63 | Jarett Hunter | Howard | 5th | 5'10" | 205 |
| 64 | Tye Edwards | Northern Iowa | 6th | 6'4" | 230 |
| 65 | Jacardia Wright | Missouri State | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 66 | Dean Connors | Rice | 4th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 67 | Kye Robichaux | Boston College | 4th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 68 | Jalen Berger | UCLA | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 69 | Logan Diggs | Ole Miss | 4th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 70 | Bronson Yoder | William & Mary | 6th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 71 | John Emery | LSU | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 72 | Malik Grant | Rhode Island | 6th | 5'9" | 200 |
| 73 | Rahsul Faison | Utah State | 5th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 74 | Zak Wallace | Arkansas State | 6th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 75 | Nay'Quan Wright | South Florida | 6th | 5'9" | 205 |
| 76 | Jaquez Moore | Duke | 4th | 5'11" | 195 |
| 77 | Anthony Watkins | Tulsa | 6th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 78 | Cam Porter | Northwestern | 5th | 5'10" | 220 |
| 79 | Dominic Richardson | Baylor | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 80 | Trey Sanders | TCU | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 81 | Jaylan Knighton | SMU | 5th | 5'10" | 185 |
| 82 | Jordan Houston | Marshall | 6th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 83 | Ayo Adeyi | James Madison | 5th | 5'8" | 195 |
| 84 | Pat Garwo III | Nevada | 6th | 5'9" | 210 |
| 85 | Devin Matthews | Towson | 5th | 5'9" | 195 |
| 86 | Jaylon Jackson | Iowa State | 5th | 5'6" | 170 |
| 87 | Tony Mathis Jr. | Houston | 6th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 88 | Jacquez Stuart | Toledo | 6th | 5'9" | 175 |
| 89 | Isaiah Jacobs | UAB | 5th | 5'10" | 220 |
| 90 | Johnny Richardson | UCF | 5th | 5'7" | 170 |
| 91 | CJ Beasley | Georgia State | 5th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 92 | Deion Hankins | Texas State | 6th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 93 | Kadarius Calloway | California | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 94 | DeCarlos Brooks | Arizona State | 6th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 95 | Jermaine Corbett | Merrimack | 5th | 5'9" | 190 |
| 96 | Kenan Christon | San Diego State | 6th | 5'10" | 190 |
| 97 | Shen Butler-Lawson | Indiana State | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 98 | Lamagea McDowell | Prairie View A&M | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 99 | Max Hurleman | Notre Dame | 5th | 6'0" | 200 |
| 100 | Keshawn Wicks | Florida A&M | 6th | 6'1" | 195 |
| 101 | Cameron Carroll | Florida | 7th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 102 | Daniyel Ngata | Washington | 5th | 5'9" | 195 |
| 103 | Kobe Johnson | Colorado State | 6th | 5'9" | 190 |
| 104 | Coleman Bennett | Rice | 5th | 5'11" | 185 |
MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a RB Prospect Great
Running backs are relatively easy to scout, as nearly everything they do can be seen on a standard TV broadcast. Contact balance, quickness, and vision are among some of the most important factors of scouting the top running back prospects.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Contact Balance
Nothing is more important for a running back prospect than contact balance. The ability to maintain a low center of gravity and stay on your feet when hit. It is somewhat teachable, but if they don’t run with good contact balance by the time they’re entering the NFL draft, it might be tough to add to their game.
Quickness
Quickness is more important than straight line speed for a running back. The ability to move side to side in a flash, scoot through a small opening, and juke out defenders is what will turn a 3 yard gain into a 6 yard gain, and that’s ultimately what running backs need to do.
Vision
Many running back draft prospects struggle with their vision and patience. If your offensive line doesn’t open a hole, it’s rarely a good idea to just ram into the back of the line. Having field vision to recognize cut back lanes and know when to hit the line of scrimmage is a game changer.
Ball Security
If a running back struggles with fumbles, it’s a one way path to the bench. Ball security is a problem that has plagued the career of many running back draft prospects, and being a natural mover with the ball in your hands is important to consider.
Overall Opinion of the 2025 RB Class
The 2025 running backs are potentially the best position group in the entire draft. Ashton Jeanty is a superstar leading the way, but the depth is what will make this class really special. There’s very little that separates the 3rd ranked running back and the 13th ranked running back.
The rapid ascension of players like Kaleb Johnson, Dylan Sampson, and Cam Skattebo helps the class immensely, and a surprisingly large number of underclassmen decided to declare for the draft.
Following an NFL season where free agent running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry proved invaluable to their new teams, there could be a renewed value in the running back position. And this draft class allows you to get a potential high level starter anywhere in the draft.
