The ACC adds Cal, Stanford, and SMU this year, bringing the conference to 17 programs. But which teams are home to the top backs on the 2024 ACC RB Rankings as spring turns into summer?
ACC 2024 RB Rankings
10) Lawrance Toafili, Florida State Seminoles
A mainstay in Florida State’s backfield since 2020, Lawrance Toafili is finally getting his shot as the lead back. He has the one-cut ability and explosiveness to thrive in the Seminoles’ gap-heavy system, and he’s one of the few veterans returning to a unit depleted by NFL Draft declarations and exhausted eligibility.
Alabama transfer Roydell Williams should serve as the thunder to Toafili’s lightning, limiting wear and tear on both backs.
9) Jordan Waters, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Leaving one ACC team for another, Jordan Waters will suit up for the Wolfpack after spending the last five years at Duke. Despite that, he actually has only seen significant action in the last two seasons, posting 1,385 rushing yards and 20 TDs.
Zone, gap, it doesn’t matter; Waters has the tools to flourish in any system and will be an appreciated addition to NC State’s offense alongside Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall.
8) Treshaun Ward, Boston College Eagles
Treshaun Ward may not even be the RB1 on his own team, but he’s certainly the most talented. He has averaged 6.0 yards per carry over the last three seasons (spent 2023 at Kansas State and the two years prior at FSU) and has the vision for gap schemes and the speed for zone concepts.
All Bill O’Brien has to do is get the ball in his hands and watch him explode upfield.
7) LeQuint Allen, Syracuse Orange
After starting 4-0, the Orange fell off tremendously last season, but it wasn’t LeQuint Allen’s fault. In his first season as a full-time starter, he took 245 carries for 1,064 and nine touchdowns, adding another 210 yards and a score as a receiver.
MORE: 2024 ACC Regular-Season Win Totals
Allen won’t bulldoze forward for yards after contact like some others on this list, but he has the speed to run away from the second level and the shiftiness to break tackles in the open field.
6) Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech Hokies
Bhayshul Tuten and QB Kyron Drones form one of the deadliest rushing backfields in the country. Now, Tuten had a bit of a fumbling issue last season, but when he didn’t let the ball hit the turf, he was torturing prospective tacklers.
Whether it’s blowing through contact or making defenders miss entirely in the open field, Tuten is no stranger to creating for himself. He’s also a solid receiving threat, posting a 27-239-2 line last season.
5) Phil Mafah, Clemson Tigers
Despite splitting time with Will Shipley last season, one could argue Phil Mafah was the more impressive RB. At 6’1″ and 230 pounds, he’s a naturally punishing rusher, and he averaged 5.4 yards per carry en route to 13 TDs. While he isn’t a home-run threat on every carry, he keeps the chains moving and is a red-zone reclaimer.
4) Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Jamal Haynes became Georgia Tech’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2017 last season; he entered the spring as a wide receiver. At 5’9″ and 180 pounds, he’ll never handle the workload of sturdier backs, but he is as shifty and explosive as they come with the ball in his hands. Add in Haynes’ pass-catching and kick-returning ability, and you have a top-five RB in the conference.
3) Jaydn Ott, Cal Bears
Welcome to the ACC, Jaydn Ott! That’s likely the warmest welcome he’ll receive, as defenses will disdain playing against him. The well-built 6’0″ and 200-pound RB churns through contact and breaks out for multiple 10+ yard gains per game.
If you have any questions regarding his ability to single-handedly take over a contest, simply ask Arizona State (165 rushing yards), USC (153), or Washington State (167) from last season.
2) Damien Martinez, Miami Hurricanes
Mario Cristobal and Co. have constructed an ACC title contender in Miami, and stealing Damien Martinez from Oregon State was one of their biggest moves. The Hurricanes tended to ride the hot hand at RB in 2023, but Martinez offers stability as a 6’0″, 230-pound workhorse. Although he uses his bruising size to devasting effect, he’ll make defenders look silly on the move and has the long strides to pick up yards in a hurry.
1) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina Tar Heels
Many will remember Omarion Hampton’s 234-yard reckoning vs. Appalachian State, but Duke (169), Clemson (178), and Miami (197) were also on the wrong side of his utter dominance.
KEEP READING: 2024 ACC QB Rankings
Even after generating 1,500 yards and 15 TDs, Hampton is primed for an even bigger season with star RB Drake Maye gone.
2024 ACC RB Rankings | 11-20
11) Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami
12) Kye Robichaux, Boston College
13) Rodney Hammond Jr., Pittsburgh
14) Jaquez Moore, Duke
15) Donald Chaney Jr., Louisville
16) Roydell Williams, Florida State
17) Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
18) Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
19) Jaylan Knighton and LJ Johnson Jr., SMU
20) Kobe Pace, Virginia
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!