This year’s Senior Bowl is once again stacked with talented players from across the country looking to showcase their talents from visiting NFL teams. Let’s look at the top five running backs in the Senior Bowl who should garner attention from scouts.
Top RBs To Watch in the 2025 Senior Bowl
5) Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Only one year removed from a stellar 2023 campaign of 1,732 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, and a seventh-place Heisman finish, Ollie Gordon II’s 2024 season was not up to the same level, but that can be said about Oklahoma State as a whole.
He recorded 880 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. Good numbers, but given a poor season record-wise and a dip in production, Gordon has a lot to prove entering the Senior Bowl.
Gordon’s blend of size, strength, and footwork makes him an intriguing prospect to watch. He can produce in both the shotgun and pistol formations, which made him one of the best running backs in the nation in 2023. His strengths also include his footwork, vision, and balance, which he uses to make defenders miss when trying to tackle him.
However, all of this is to compensate for his acceleration and speed, which are areas of concern as he enters the NFL. Additionally, Gordon can be too patient when deciding where to go and timing his runs, which has led to him being blown up behind the line of scrimmage.
Gordon will be an interesting prospect to watch line up in the backfield as he attempts to prove he’ll be successful in the NFL.
4) LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
LeQuint Allen was consistent all season, averaging 78.5 yards a game and racking up 1021 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 4.5 yards per carry. He also recorded 521 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns, proving himself a do-it-all running back in Syracuse’s offense.
Allen is an especially good carrier in open space. He can drop his shoulder and run through you to make a big play. Thanks to his footwork, vision, and lateral agility, he’s also a good jump-cutter and redirector.
His status as one of the most experienced pass-catching running backs in his class, tallying 117 receiving yards his freshman year, 210 his sophomore year, and 521 this year, makes him a consistent three-down threat who can kill a defense in multiple ways.
However, Allen plays at a high pad level, which could cause some concern about changing direction in motion in the NFL. He’s also slow for a running back, lacking an explosive first step and acceleration, which has necessitated the development of his good vision to read defenses.
Allen enters the Senior Bowl as a solid prospect with a lot to prove if he hopes to grow his draft stock.
3) Devin Neal, Kansas
Devin Neal’s season at Kansas was a season characterized by durability. He started all 12 games and broke multiple school records, including career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
He finished the season with 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on only 5.8 carries per game. Neal is a dynamic threat from behind the line of scrimmage who can slash his way through defenses, earning accolades throughout his time at Kansas.
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His strengths include great athleticism, which makes him a danger in the open field. His quick feet and functional game help him take advantage of running lanes. He’s also a natural in the screen game. As a pass catcher, he moves up the field quickly and can follow his blocks well. Neal has also shown proficiency in running swing routes and even in the slot.
Neal’s biggest concern is his lack of size for the position, which could hinder him as an every-down back. He struggled as a pass-blocker, which will only hurt him in a league where blocking is needed everywhere. Furthermore, he’s not really a power runner and had problems moving the pile in short-yardage situations.
The “Hometown Hero” will be looking to continue his great season at the Senior Bowl to wow NFL scouts with his talents.
2) RJ Harvey, UCF
As a Doak Walker Award semifinalist, RJ Harvey’s season reflects some of the most productive seasons a college running back has had. He finished the year with 1,557 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on an average of 6.8 yards per carry. He was the main option for UCF, having five consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards and at least a touchdown.
Harvey’s success comes from a combination of strengths in his game. He has great vision and balance as a runner and is a proven workhorse runner. His speed and strength also make him a big-play threat on every snap, as he can outrun anyone on the field. His elite lateral agility makes defenders miss every time.
Similar to Neal, however, Harvey’s weaknesses are mainly his lack of size. He can get caught up behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. Most concerning, though, is his glaring inability to pass block effectively. His lack of power can cause more problems for him at the NFL level.
Harvey’s Senior Bowl appearance will need to be as electric as his regular season if he wants to prove to NFL teams he deserves to be selected.
1) Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
Cameron Skattebo needs very little introduction. He is an absolute beast, one of the Heisman finalists, and only the second Big 12 player to record 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards.
Skattebo made himself known in the last few games, including three games with 170 rushing yards or more. Famously, he rushed, received, and threw for a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns despite losing in the College Football Playoff.
Skattebo is an excellent downhill runner who can patiently set up his blocks with good lateral agility. He is also equally skilled as a receiver. These strengths make him all the more dangerous when paired with his infectious energy, which will make him a valuable asset on the field and in the locker room.
Skattebo’s biggest weaknesses, however, revolve around the need to improve his ball security and inconsistent pass protection.
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His immense workload at Arizona State also means that NFL teams will be on the lookout for signs of injury concern. His 4.62 long speed is just okay at the NFL level — not particularly good or even great.
Skattebo looks like one of the premier running backs in this draft, and he will look to maintain that high stock at the Senior Bowl. The NFL’s best minds will be watching him play and analyzing every snap he takes.
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