So, Penn State didn’t just give us one of the highest-paid running backs, but also one of the best in the league. Saquon Barkley signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, which includes $36 million guaranteed and up to $15 million in incentives. His free agency is set for 2029, with a void year.
Stanford University proudly holds its second place on the list thanks to former star Christian McCaffrey. Before making it to the NFL, McCaffrey made headlines by setting records for all-purpose yards at Stanford. Today, he’s a key player for the San Francisco 49ers. His current contract is a two-year deal worth $38 million, with $24 million guaranteed.
The University of Alabama is also making waves, with two players in the top 10 list. At number one is Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner. He recently signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens. This deal is the largest in NFL history for a running back over 30 years old. It includes $25 million fully guaranteed, ensuring Henry’s future in Baltimore until 2027.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison secures a spot in the top five, thanks to its star running back, Jonathan Taylor. He made a name for himself in college by rushing for 6,174 yards in just three seasons. That incredible performance helped him land a three-year, $42 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Out of that, $26.5 million is guaranteed, and $19.3 million is fully secured.
Kamara played at Tennessee, where he showed off his skills as both a runner and a receiver. He signed a two-year, $24.5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, with $22.2 million guaranteed and $19.2 million fully secured. The New Orleans Saints have scheduled his free agency for 2027, which includes a void year.
Here comes the second-highest-paid running back from the Crimson Tide, Josh Jacobs. He signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, with $12.5 million guaranteed.
UTEP Miners might not be as famous for producing NFL stars like Alabama or Penn State, but their former running back, Aaron Jones, has made an impressive mark. It’s rare for a player from a smaller school to land a $20 million NFL contract, but Jones has proven it’s possible.
Joe Mixon played college football at Oklahoma from 2014 to 2016 before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent seven seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Houston Texans in 2024.
James Conner played college football at Pittsburgh, where he became an inspiration after beating Hodgkin’s lymphoma and returning to the field stronger than ever. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and played there for four seasons before signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2021.
Iowa State recently stepped into the spotlight as its former star running back, David Montgomery, made it onto the list of the top 10 highest-paid running backs. In October 2024, he signed a two-year, $18.25 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions. The deal includes $10.5 million guaranteed and a $3.25 million signing bonus.
