Yards after contact may be the most important running back stat. The ability to fight for extra yards and break tackles is essential to a great run game.
There’s not a conference with more hard-nosed runners than the Big Ten, and these backs are the best at gaining yards after contact in the conference.
Breaking Down the Big Ten’s Best Returning Running Backs in Yards After Contact
1) A.J. Turner, Minnesota Golden Gophers
A.J. Turner transferred from Marshall to Minnesota this offseason and immediately adds some juice to an already great running back room. Turner stands 6’0″ and weighs 195 pounds, giving a great frame to break tackles with.
In 2024, with Marshall, Turner averaged a whopping 9.2 yards per play, which led the nation. 4.54 of those yards came after contact. Turner only has 127 career carries, but there’s no doubt that he’s one of the best yards after contact guys in the Big Ten.
2) C.J. Campbell Jr., Rutgers Scarlet Knights
One of the best yards after contact guys in the entire country last year was Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai. While the loss of Monangai to the NFL is a tough one for Rutgers, the good news is that C.J. Campbell is replacing him.
Campbell is built like a brick house, standing at 5’10” and weighing 202 pounds. He transferred to Rutgers from FAU, where he had an amazing 2024 season. He rushed for 844 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and 4.01 of those yards came after contact. He’s a monster with the ball in his hands, very tough to bring down, and should be a great back for Rutgers heading into 2025.
3) Lee Beebe Jr., Indiana Hoosiers
Lee Beebe Jr. transferred from UAB to Indiana this offseason and should fit perfectly in Curt Cignetti’s offense. The redshirt junior stands at 5’10”, weighing an impressive 220 pounds, and is a monster with the ball in his hands.
Throughout his career, Beebe has averaged 5.8 yards per carry, which is already an impressive mark. You account for the fact that 4.2 of those yards come after contact, and you can see why Cignetti wanted to bring him to Indiana. Get off the tracks when Lee Beebe is coming through.
4) Darius Taylor, Minnesota Golden Gophers
I mentioned earlier that Minnesota added A.J. Turner to an already great Minnesota backfield, and that’s because Darius Taylor will be his counterpart in 2025. Darius Taylor showed the world that he was one of the top backs in the country last season, racking up 986 yards on the ground in 2024.
KEEP READING: Top 5 WRs by Yards Per Route Run in 2025
He only averaged 4.8 yards per carry, but 3.91 of those yards came after contact, which is what makes him so special. He often breaks arm tackles at the line of scrimmage, which allows him to make so many plays in the open field.
5) Mahki Hughes, Oregon Ducks
The Ducks struck gold in the transfer portal by signing Makhi Hughes away from Tulane. Hughes was elite for the Green Wave in 2023 and 2024, rushing for over 1,000 yards in both those seasons.
Hughes is elusive in space, but he’s also a hard runner who consistently breaks tackles. He’s averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his two collegiate seasons, and 3.81 of those yards have come after contact. He should have a great 2025, and I expect him to be a big boost for Oregon’s offense.
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