When you think of running backs in the Big Ten, you think of some of the most elite in the sport. However, you might also think of another word: movement. That is because whether it be within the conference itself or top the NFL, a lot of running backs have moved around. Thus, there is a ton of discrepancy between the elite running back units in the conference and some of the weaker ones.
Thus, ranking all 18 of them comes down to speculation. Several of these units could exceed expectations and still some might shockingly underperform.
Here are all 18 running back situations ranked from worst to first.
18. Maryland
It should be no surprise that the Terps are this low on this list. After all, they have one of the most inexperienced backfields in the nation, let alone the conference. They will be relying on redshirt sophomore Nolan Ray, who only carried the ball 75 times for 374 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. While having a solid 4.2 yards per carry after contact, a small sample size like last season’s shouldn’t give Terps fans much confidence. Add that both Iverson Howard and Dejuan Harris behind him are freshmen, and there might be a lot of growing pains for this unit. However, that could mean a lot room for growth, so I would not be surprised to see the Terps rise over the coming years.
17. Michigan State
The Spartans are certainly a top heavy team at the running back, relying on former Sacramento State transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver. In four seasons with the Hornets, Tau-Tolliver rushed for over 1,500 yards, adding much needed experience to yet another youthful unit. Behind him is where questions arise. Both Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier saw limited action as redshirt freshmen last season, but could be expected to receiver more expanded roles backing up Tau-Tolliver. Could Tullis, who is lauded for his physicality, be the perfect complement for the fifth-year transfer?
16. Rutgers
A former strength for the Scarlet Knights has now recently become a weakness. With the loss of Kyle Monangai, the Scarlet Knights lose a lot of their offensive production and versatility. Replacing him could be a combination of wait-and-see transfers and experienced veterans. Florida Atlantic senior transfer CJ Campbell is expected to be the RB1 after rushing for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Owls last year. However, look for sophomore Antwan Raymond to emerge behind him and potentially be a breakout candidate. And you can never count out and elder statesman in Samuel Brown V, who has competently backed up Monangai for the past four years. Look for this to be a competitive group that could far exceed this projection.
15. Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s running back room is a room that could have a lot of unrealized potential within its ranks. Bolstered by an elite 2024 recruiting cycle, Wisconsin could be primed for success for years to come at the position. Darrion Dupree emerged as the only one to officially burn the redshirt and emerged as the second leading rusher for the Badgers with 317 yards. His balance and elusiveness certainly stood out and he could make this role his own this year. Behind him, look for Cade Yacamelli to be a solid RB that could add an explosive element to the backfield with his 8.3 yard per carry average.
Illinois is the first room where there is a sense of certainty within its numbers. One could also say this is the first room where a truly elite Big Ten running back resides. Aidan Laughery had a breakout sophomore year, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and rushing for just under 600 yards. A vintage performance against Northwestern where he totaled 172 yards and 3 touchdowns showcased his potential. However, Kaden Feagin, a solid player in his own right, returns to the backfield after missing most of last season due to a hip surgery. Ca’Lil Valentine, a rising sophomore, could also see some time on the field. Look for this to be one of the more balanced groups in the lower half of these rankings.
13. UCLA
UCLA’s room is more about depth than anything else. Whether that depth can make an impact on the field remains to be seen. The presumptive starter is Cal transfer Jaivian Thomas, who rushed for over 600 yards for the Golden Bears and has the ability to carry the load. Another transfer in Anthony Woods, with over 200 yards to his name, could see significant time, but is recuperating from an injury that saw him miss all of last season. Also look for former Michigan State and Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger to see some time after limited action last year and as one of the only true returners from this UCLA backfield. Deshaun Foster will certainly be getting headaches from this group all year long.
12. Northwestern
Another top-heavy room, the Wildcats are led in the backfield by the steady presence of Cam Porter. In his sixth year with the program, Porter is primed to continue being the bell cow after garnering 126 carries, which were 74 more than his presumptive backup. However, look for said backup to emerge as a competent No. 2 option and someone who can almost certainly step into the lead back role after Porter’s departure. Joseph Himon II averaged more yards per carry than Porter last season as a redshirt sophomore and also was vital in the passing game, catching 15 passes for 96 yards. This room has a great chance of producing complementary football.
11. Purdue
Purdue, much like Northwestern, are relying on experience over depth to carry them once agains. Devin Mockobee has been Purdue’s leading rusher for the past three seasons and is no stranger to being the focal point of Purdue’s offensive attack. With 687 yards and four touchdowns, look for his production to improve along with the rest of this Purde offense. Also look for former Illinois transfer Reggie Love to perfectly complement him, after rushing for 372 yards last year. Carter Holsworth, the Marshall transfer, is patiently waiting in the wings as well.
Indiana has had a topsy-turvy offseason when it comes to the running back position. After the departure of their tow leading rushers in Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton to the NFL, there seemed to be a aura of uncertainty to this room. Enter Roman Hemby, the fourth leading rusher in the Big Ten last year with Maryland. He gives this room a lot of upside at least in the short- term future. JMU transfer holdover Kaelon Black is also no slouch either, rushing for over 2,000 yards in 40 games under Cignetti’s tutelage.
9. Nebraska
Nebraska certainly hopes that Emmett Johnson, who emerged last year as a potential RB1, comes good for them this year. It wasn’t clear until late last season that Johnson claimed the RB1 role, rushing for 304 of his 598 yards last year in Nebraska’s last four games. After uncertainty about his transfer portal status, he returns for another year with the Huskers. The question is who will emerge behind him. After a strong spring, Kwinten Ives could be seen as the favorite, scoring a touchdown in Nebraska’s bowl game last year.
8. USC
The Trojans’ backfield could be a unit of strength as they try and establish a balanced offense. With the additions of redshirt senior Eli Sanders and the No. 1 Juco transfer in the nation in junior Waymond Jordan, USC has the requisite experience to compete with any room in the conference. Sanders has the most experience, a journeyman going from Iowa State to New Mexico, and notching 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. However, look for Jordan to transition well to the Power 4, after a career year with Hutchinson(Kansas) Community College. This room could be hyper competitive come fall.
7. Washington
Washington certainly has a steady rotation of backfield stalwarts at its disposal, starting off with a steady starter in rising senior Jonah Coleman. He got the bulk of the carries last season, rushing 193 times for 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns, establishing himself amongst the Big Ten’s elite. Look for his stock to rise steadily in his final year with the Huskies. Another guy who could see his stock rapidly rise: sophomore Adam Mohammed, who sneakily established himself as the second option last year as an exciting freshman. Paired with electrifying QB Demond Williams Jr., look for the nickname coined by UW’s radio play-by-play man Troy Castricone, Run DMC, to stick.
It’s not easy replacing the Big Ten rushing yards leader and one of the best offensive weapons in the Kirk Ferentz era in Kaleb Johnson. However, Iowa have two options who paired together could potentially aptly fill his shoes. Look for Kamari Moulton, the returning junior to mightily increase his stat production sans Johnson. He ran for 473 yards and three touchdowns last year. Behind him could be yet another breakout star in junior Jaziun Patterson, who is currently rehabbing an injury.
5. Ohio State
This room will look mightily different this year. After both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson departed for the NFL, the outlook of this room looked bleak. However, with tow hopeful starters with a ton of potential amidst their ranks, this room could continue its dominance in the conference. James Peoples only rushed the ball 49 times for 197 yards last year, but as a rising sophomore, still has plenty of room to grow and could have a chance to start immediately. However, do not count out West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson, who in his three years with the Mountaineers, rushed for over 2,000 yards and had 20 touchdowns.
4. Minnesota
Minnesota will definitely be heavily reliant on their running backs this season as they potentially break in a freshman starter at QB in Drake Lindsey. Luckily for them, they have a star in the backfield. Rising junior Darius Taylor has had 2,227 yards from scrimmage in his illustrious college career and will immediately be Drake Lindsey’s friend in this offense. However, Marshall transfer AJ Turner and Washington transfer Cameron Davis round out a solid group that can produce at any time for the Golden Gophers.
3. Michigan
Michigan has always had solidity at the running back position and this year is no different. With former No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood at the helm this year, look for breakout campaigns for everyone in this Michigan backfield. All eyes with be on Alabama transfer and former five-star Justice Haynes and how he translates in Ann Arbor. Stuck behind Jam Miller in Tuscaloosa, the sophomore only had 448 yards and seven touchdowns. However, in a potentially much more expansive role, he could be primed for a breakout season. Also look for rising sophomore Jordan Marshall to have a chance at the lead role as well, impressing against Alabama, a tough, physical defense, last year as a freshman.
2. Oregon
With the departure of physical, rough and tumble back Jordan James to the NFL, one would think the Ducks backfield would suffer. Think again. Dan Lanning and Co. dipped into the transfer and snagged a steal out of Tulane in Makhi Hughes, who brings almost 3,000 career rushing yards to Eugene. However, some in Eugene could feel it is finally Noah Whittington’s time to shine. The senior has patiently bided his time, waiting for the opportunity to be the lead back. In his sixth season, look for him to finally earn that moniker. The experience of junior Jayden Limar as well could come into play. Overall, the Ducks have a very well-rounded group they can rely on.
1. Penn State
Not many teams can match Penn State’s backfield within the conference, and maybe even the nation. After all, when you return two 1,000 yard rushers, hungrier than ever for a championship, to close out their college careers, you would expect nothing less. Both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are no doubt legends in the annals of Penn State’s football history, even if they don’t win a championship. However, win one and continue being the best RB tandem in the country? Now that’s something they will never forget.