The usual NFL Draft may not be headlined by a running back anymore, but the 2025 NFL Draft may be different. That’s because of one man, and one man alone. His name: Ashton Jeanty.
But behind him, a trio of Big Ten RBs making their names known in the Week 10 showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions.
2025 Draft RB Rankings, 1-10
Just because Jeanty is the clear-cut No. 1 doesn’t mean that the others on this list are not good. In fact, had some of these backs entered the draft in previous years, they may have been at or near the top of their own draft classes.
Such is life in college football, and here are the top 10 for the 2025 NFL Draft.
10) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
What a season Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson is having. Early on, he was rightfully in the Heisman Trophy conversation, and he’s continued to prove himself on the biggest stage against elite competition, putting him squarely in the NFL Draft spotlight.
Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 225 pounds, Johnson is a powerhouse back, but he’s got the agility to match. His game is like that of a dominant pitcher who can throw both a fastball and a changeup with equal precision.
Whether he’s bulldozing through defenders or outpacing them to the end zone, Johnson is showcasing why he’s on the rise. This might just be the lowest we’ll see his stock until he finally declares for the pros.
9) Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
A five-year player, Tahj Brooks has seen it all during his time at Lubbock. Speaking of wear on tires, Brooks certainly has a bit of wear on his, but he still presents a precise bowling ball of a back who bounces off contact and breaks tackles seemingly at will.
For all the carries in his career, Brooks has not missed any significant amount of time and has shown remarkable consistency in his outings. He isn’t a barn burner in terms of speed and likely won’t contribute a lot out of the backfield at the next level, but a two-down, change-of-pace back who essentially grants an NFL team at least 3-4 yards per carry is back in style.
8) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Unlike his counterpart at No. 10, TreVeyon Henderson shines as a true dual-threat, showing flashes of a third-down receiving back in the NFL with his pass-catching abilities. When he’s fully healthy, Henderson is a dynamic force with impressive speed and a knack for making plays in open space after the catch.
The concern with Henderson’s game is that he may have hit his peak back in his record-breaking freshman season in 2021. He hasn’t necessarily fallen short of expectations since that 15-touchdown breakout, but he hasn’t consistently dominated at the same level either.
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At his best, Henderson is much more than just a receiving back—he’s a true speedster with great open-field moves and an extra gear that kicks in when he’s got room to run. He bounces off tackles, showing sharp vision and weaving through defenders with ease.
When healthy, Henderson brings a unique mix of today’s NFL dual-threat capabilities combined with an old-school power back’s surprising burst and speed.
7) Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Kyle Monangai didn’t come out of nowhere in 2023, but he did surprise some with his career year for Rutgers. In 2024, however, Monangai was the known commodity for the Scarlet Knights, and no matter what defenses did, he simply can not be stopped.
After an 8-TD season a year ago, Monangai has already surpassed that total in 2024 and has done so looking all the more impressive. Monangai is a ball of chaos heading toward any defender willing to stand in his way.
He blows through would-be tacklers with ease and has no trouble out-running defenders to the edge or in the open field. Monangai will fit brilliantly into a zone-read type offense where he can use his patience and midfield vision and should compliment a dominant receiving back in an NFL backfield quite nicely.
6) Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
In 2024, we’re finally seeing the best version of Le’Veon Moss, who’s taken his game to another level after showing flashes last season. Standing at 6’0″ and 215 pounds, Moss has the ideal size to pair with his impressive speed.
He’s got a quick first step that gives him an edge, blending well with his patience at the line of scrimmage. Moss has sharp vision and a top-end speed that will make him highly coveted in the draft.
His game shows scheme versatility and massive potential—he’s just beginning to tap into what he’s capable of.
5) Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon II may have found his stride in Week 8 against BYU, but it’s been a little too late to reclaim his spot any higher than No. 5 on our Draft RB Rankings for now. At 6’2″, 225 pounds, Gordon is as fast as he is strong and is as big as he is elusive.
There’s a completeness to his game, showing off his elusivness on the ground and through the air all the same. Gordon hauled in 39 receptions in 2023 and is on his way to clearing that total in 2024 if his usage continues to rise.
Gordon is a menace to bring down at the point of attack and it routinely takes multiple defenders to tackle him. He’ll be a unique draft evaluation due to his dominant 2023 season and questions around his usage in 2024, but the talent Gordon possesses is not in question.
4) Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton is the latest in a long line of standout RBs from Penn State. Standing tall at 6’1″ and 225 pounds, he leverages his size to full effect but it’s his agility at that size that truly catches defenders off guard.
With a lightning-quick first step, whether in tight spaces or bouncing outside, Singleton’s burst and twitch make him a unique threat for a back of his build. He can slip through small gaps with ease, hitting his top gear in a flash to outpace the defense.
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With reliable hands and a readiness to block in pass protection, Singleton stands out among his peers. His open-field play after receptions adds another layer to his dynamic skill set.
3) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
A documented dual-threat out of the backfield, Omarion Hampton has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise dark season for the Tar Heels. He’s caught over 20 passes out of the backfield in each of the past two seasons and ran for a whopping 1,500 yards a year ago.
He’s well on his way to reach that total once again and has scored nearly 30 touchdowns on the ground before hitting 2.5 years in the lineup. Hampton is 6’1″ and 220, presenting himself as a straight-line bruiser through contact.
And yet, Hampton’s game is more about making defenders miss in space all the same. There isn’t any holes in Hampton’s games at this point.
2) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The only back who can rival Ashton Jeanty in elusiveness is Quinshon Judkins. He hasn’t had that breakout game for Ohio State yet—not because he can’t, but because he hasn’t needed to. We’ve seen what he can do over his years at Ole Miss.
After back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns, Ohio State has deliberately dialed back his usage. With a long playoff run in sight, they’re keeping Judkins fresh for the Buckeyes’ 2024 campaign.
Standing at 6’0″ and 219 pounds, Judkins paired with Henderson makes for the most dynamic backfield in college football in recent years. He’s electric, shedding arm tackles or spinning out of contact with ease.
Any team lucky enough to draft him will find he’s a game-changer, no matter how he’s featured in the offense.
1) Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
It’s simple really, the best player in college football in 2024 is also the best prospect at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ashton Jeanty entered the season after being named a College Football Network First Team All-American a year ago and he’s shattered even the loftiest of expectations in 2024.
After hauling in 44 receptions a year ago, Jeanty has shown he has the ability to take games over with his legs and on the ground even more so than anyone anticipated. He’s a bruising back with speed to spare, routinely drawing the easiest comparison of all the running backs in this class: Jeanty is a mix of Brian Westbrook and Alvin Kamara.
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Midway through October, Jeanty is averaging a ridiculous 9.9 yards per carry, a testament to his ability to utilize his vision, burst, speed, twitch, elusiveness, and balance through contact weekly.
Jeanty is must-watch TV and the only back in this draft class that likely hears his name called in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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