2025 Ourlads' Draft Preview: Running Backs

David Syvertsen
10/18/2024 11:38AM ET

1. Jeanty, Ashton*

Boise State 5082  217

Two-year starter, Jacksonville, FL. All-Mountain West and an All-American in 2022. A power-packed frame with above average thickness below the waist. Dense build that carries a lot of weight while maintain all the quick twitch and explosive traits to win with movement. Sudden jerks and reactions to tacklers combined with creativity and vision make him a big play threat every time he touches the ball. Can alter his path at the snap of finger. Will transition his weight with fluid hips and explosive change of direction. Confident and decisive to work between the tackles and out in space. Coordination and body control show up as a receiver as well. Fumbled six times in 2023. Running style leads to extra hits and will lose track of tightness of ball-to-body through traffic. Will cut himself off at times rather than taking what the defense gives him and looking for the cutback.

2. Hampton, Omarion*

North Carolina 5116  219

Three-year starter, Clayton, NC. First Team All-ACC in 2023 in addition to All-American honors. Built out of granite with elite weight room strength that translates well to the football field. Has a lower body that simply looks different. Does not give away speed despite that power-label. Has the top end burst and sustained rate of movement to run away from defenders. A prototype frame with the combination of raw power and speed that creates production alone. Will rip through cheap contact without any loss of momentum. Led the Power Five in yards after contact per attempt in 2023 (and was in a league of his own). Gets downhill in a hurry and knows to keep that foot on the gas as he approaches tacklers. Has caught over 90% of targets thrown his way and is a positive in pass protection. Needs to show more wiggle and success as an outside runner. Has had slight ball security issues earlier in his career.

3. Judkins, Quinshon*

Ohio State 5111 219

Three-year starter, Pike Road, AL. Spent two seasons at Mississippi where he earned First Team All-SEC honors as true freshman (and again in 2023) after leading the conference in rushing. His 1,567 yards were the most in conference history by a first-year player since Herschel Walker in 1980. Transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season. An aggressive downhill runner that shows the sense for finding open space and the burst to reach it in a blink. Anticipates the running lanes and has a way of cutting back at the right time without losing force. Thick thighs and light feet get him moving to his top speed with power and balance. Protects the ball well. Knows where defenders are coming from. A step ahead mentally. Close to a sure thing in short yardage scenarios. Makes himself small and shows late wiggle in addition to immense strength. Does not have ideal timed speed. Leaves some to be desired as a pass blocker when it comes to both effort and sustainability. Needs to show more on play fakes and does not run good routes out of the backfield. 

4. Singleton, Nicholas*

Penn State 6000  227

Three-year starter, Shillington, PA. All-Big Ten in 2023 as both a running back and returner. Has the body of a player made in a factory. Chiseled out of granite with a rare combination of elite speed and strength. Athletic testing has reached hard-to-find territory. Combines that will some of the best on-field production in school history. Has a straight line burst and top gear that will create a lot of explosives. Does not hesitate to turn that speed into power. Can push the pile forward and will remain a physical, try-hard back despite his main weapon being speed and explosion. Length and hands offer a high ceiling as a pass catcher and he shows effectiveness as a blocker. High pad level and lateral tightness hinders his ability to wiggle out of a traffic. Needs the extra step or two to adjust his direction. Needs to keep his foot on the gas longer instead of being too cutback-happy. 

5. Johnson, Kaleb

Iowa 6000  225

Three-year starter, Hamilton, OH. All-Big Ten in 2022 before missing some time due to injury in 2023. Shifty through traffic with the body control and size to break tackles routinely. Shows the feel and instincts to find open space and the agility is there to shift the above-average-sized back through the crowd. Has developed his speed to the point where he can get away from pursuing defenders in space. Has more than his fair share of explosive runs on tape in a pro-style scheme. Excels at zone-based running. Good decision maker that understands timing and angles. Picks up a lot of hidden yards with forward lean and ability to finish. Has not shown much in the limited passing game from that program. Will take a lot of hits to his legs with the natural upright running style. 

6. Henderson, TreVeyon

Ohio State 5100  214

 

7. Monangai, Kyle 

Rutgers 5090  210

 

8. Hunter, Jarquez

Auburn  5090  206

 

9. Giddens, DJ

Kansas State 6001  216

 

10. Gordon II, Ollie*

Oklahoma State 6020  216

 

11. Ott, Jadyn*

California 5105  208

 

12. Johnson, Montrell

Florida 5107  215

 

13.  Etienne, Trevor*

Georgia 5090  205

 

14.  Blue, Jaydon*

Texas 6000  205

 

15. Jackson, Ja’Quinden

Arkansas 6014  234

 

16. Mafah, Phil 

Clemson 6004  225

 

17. Neal, Devin

Kansas 5105 209

 

18. Edwards, Donovan

Michigan 6010  204

19. Martinez, Damien*

Miami 6000 231

 

20. Brooks, Tahj

Texas Tech 5090  228

 

21. Marks, Jo’Quavious

USC 5094  204

 

22. Mellusi, Chez 

Wisconsin 5107 212

 

23. Sanders, Raheim

South Carolina 6000  236

 

24. Harvey, RJ 

Central Florida 5082  201

 

25. Whittington, Noah

Oregon 5080  201

 

*Denotes Underclassman