The 2025 Running Back class will be one to remember. From the undisputed RB1 to household names from last year’s class who chose to return, there are currently 27 backs with a draftable grade on The Sunday Slate’s pre-combine big board.
Let’s take a look at the top-5 consensus RB’s ahead of the combine, and 5 more that aren’t getting the shine they deserve just yet!
Pre-Combine Consensus: Top-5 2025 Running Back Rankings
RB1: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Source: ESPN
The only player comp for Ashton Jeanty that can realistically define his career production and play style is Barry Sanders. No hyperbole, no blowing smoke. Jeanty is a bonafide first-round selection, and will land with the first team who feels confident in filling their other needs later in the draft.
Positional value be damned, it’s not every year that a tail back brings this level of difference-making ability on a snap-by-snap basis. Jeanty led the country in Yards (2,595), Yards After Contact (1,970), Touchdowns (29), and Missed Tackles Forced (151). He is the most powerful, balanced, consistent, and elusive back in the class, and would likely lead the pack in any year when considering those check boxes. Set it and forget it, Ashton Jeanty is the best running back available in 2025, and he may just be the best football player any NFL team adds to their roster in April.
RB2: Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Source: Dynasty Football Factory
Hampton’s hype originated while we were scouting his teammates Sam Howell and Josh Downs back in 2022. After becoming the feature back in Chapel Hill the following year, he accrued over 3,000 yards rushing and recorded 33 total TDs. Another YCO daddy with back-to-back campaigns eclipsing 1,000 yards after contact, he has averaged 5.9 yards per carry across 535 rushing attempts in the past two seasons.
His counting stats are off the charts and they’re paired with some of the best ball security in college football. Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson (Iowa), Marquez Cooper (San Diego State), Kyle Monangai (Rutgers), and Makhi Hughes (Tulane, SOPH) were the only four backs in the country to be trusted with at least 240 attempts and have less than two fumbles in 2024.
Consensus marks him as the 38th overall prospect ahead of the combine. A strong showing in Indianapolis will solidify him as a day two addition for one lucky franchise.
RB3: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Source: Sports Illustrated
The only thing keeping Kaleb Johnson out of RB1 debates at this point is the lesser workload he had during his Freshman and Sophomore campaigns. Still efficient on far fewer opportunities in 2022 and 2023, he popped for real this past year. 1,535 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 attempts is good for 6th in yards and 4th in TDs among all RBs in 2024.
Patience, burst, and long speed are the calling cards for Johnson’s game. His ability to hit the hole in a zone-heavy Iowa scheme made him a big-play threat between the tackles, while length and agility make him a menace in space as a compliment.
His membership in the No-Fumbles Club was already mentioned, so let’s wrap up with a couple player comps. Brian Robinson and Roschon Johnson come to mind upon concluding the eye test, but with no disrespect to them, Kaleb Johnson is likely to flash 4.4 speed at the combine. Jonathan Taylor is a better match for the Hawkeye on the prospect side of things, and if you think it’s lofty because of JT’s production in college, just wait until somebody gives Kaleb that kind of an opportunity.
RB4: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Source: Buckeye Huddle
There was a time, not so many moons ago, when TreVeyon Henderson was considered the number-one 2025 running back prospect. Jeanty staked his claim, and Quinshon Judkins demanded half of the ground-share in Columbus. Henderson is the best speed back in a pasture of bell cow profiles, but if you cut him short for it you’ll be walking back that take in no time.
It’s likely that TreVeyon Henderson will be the second RB off the board in April, and he’d be the first in just about any other year. He forked up a singular fumble in the past four years, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, cleared 1,000 yards in two campaigns, and racked up 48 total TDs in his collegiate career. All those numbers came on a mere 590 total rushing attempts and 88 targets out of the backfield.
TreVeyon Henderson was the most efficient runner in college football in 2024, and had the third most rushes for 15 yards or more among draft eligible RBs. There is a ton of tread still on his tires, and while his battery mate stole some of the spotlight last year, it may pay off for his longevity at the next level. In the end, he’s a natural born leader, a national champ, and a hell of a football player. Prepare for first-round consideration narratives to surface in his regard 6 weeks from now.
RB5: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Source: Fox Sports
A bonafide stud at Ole Miss, Quinshon Judkins racked up over 2,700 yards and 31 scores with the Rebs as a freshman and sophomore. His transfer to Ohio State for his junior campaign essentially placed him in a Detroit, David Montgomery role for the Buckeyes and it paid off big for all. Quinshon was able to secure his third-consecutive 1,000 yard and double-digit score season on almost 100 fewer carries than he had in each of the previous two years.
He secured 59 of his 69 total targets in three seasons, and brought a ton of diversity to each collegiate offense we got to see him in. Much like TreVeyon Henderson, in any other year, there would be calls for Quinshon to be the RB1. He’s complete as a prospect, passes the eye test, and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. It took a group like this to force him down the list to here, but he’ll be a day two pick in April irregardless.
Underrated 2025 Running Back Prospects
Cam Skattebo
A legitimate hidden gem at one point, Skattebo became unavoidable during the Arizona State stretch run. This is a gritty 5-foot-11, 215 pound back with great vision, a relentless play style, and a do-it-all prospect profile.
Four fumbles in 2024 are the only red flag on him. He’s elusive, strong, and excels as a pass catcher. Skattebo is among the best in the country when it comes to breaking tackles, and a lot of it comes from the chip on his shoulder. There will be no surprises here when Cam Skattebo becomes a household name at the next level
RJ Harvey
RJ Harvey is the analytical bell of the ball when it comes to this insanely deep 2025 running back class. He was the most explosive runner in college football this year, taking over 21% of his carries for 15 yards or more, and he brings counting stats all the same.
2,995 yards (6.5 YPA) and 43 total touchdowns since taking over as UCF’s feature back in 2023, Harvey is a legitimate work horse. He checks the boxes physically (5-foot-9, 210lbs), and is poised for a meteoric rise up draft boards with a plus-plus showing at the combine.
Consider yourself warned — RJ Harvey is going to be a problem.
DJ Giddens
EMAW. DJ Giddens has been doing the damn thing since he showed up in Manhattan. From acting as the thunder to Deuce Vaughn’s lightning to strapping ‘em up and running for nearly 50% of all the Wildcats rushing yards the past two seasons. This is a strong, explosive, and balanced runner who is top-4 in breakaway yards and yards per attempt. He’s also top-10 in the class regarding yards after contact per attempt and yards per reception.
Giddens is about as well-rounded as they come, and is pre-combine prospect 114. A fringe day two pick that any fanbase should feel like they stole if he slips to round four.
Devin Neal
Giddens’ rival from Lawrence, Devin Neal has an equally impressive body of work and resume. 4,340 career yards (5.7 YPA), 32 touchdowns since 2023, and 30 targets per year in the Jayhawks offense tell us all we need to know about the kid.
At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, he gets off the bus just fine and is twitchy as all get out. Great vision and patience are what he leans on to create big plays. He’ll break ankles in the open field and wear a defense down running between the tackles. Hell of a good ball player who currently lies in the top-100 consensus rankings (88th overall).
Tahj Brooks
Texas Tech’s workhorse since 2023, Brooks is a 5th-year senior who carried a 5th-round grade in our rankings last year before announcing his return to school. He made good on his return to Lubbock, racking up his second straight 1,500 yard campaign and added 17 TDs as a cherry on top.
He’s one of the best pass blockers in the whole bunch and ranked fourth in the country in rushing attempts (287). His Shrine Bowl outing was a great kickstart to the draft cycle, and we maintain similar expectations for him in this class as we had last year.
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