NCAA

College Football RB Rankings 2024: Ashton Jeanty Tops Preseason List Of Best NCAA Running Backs

By
Colin Lynch
Author photo
Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on Finixio's The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

Get to know Colin Lynch better
Sports Editor

Published01 Aug 2024

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
Ashton Jeanty of Boise State

We’re just weeks away from the start of the 2024 college football season. We’ve already released our Top 10 quarterback rankings for 2024, and now we jump right into the top running backs heading into 2024.

The Big 12 and the Big Ten are tied on our list with three runningbacks each. Ohio State is the only school with two running backs, and they enter 2024 with the top RB duo college football has seen in quite some time.

There will be a loaded running back class in 2024, so let’s look at the cream of the crop entering the college football season.

Top 10 Running Backs of 2024

10 – Devin Neal | Kansas | 2023 stats: 1,280 yards rushing, 6.3 yards per rush, 16 rushing TDs, 25 receptions, 217 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Devin Neal and Kansas QB Jalon Daniels lead a potentially elite out of Lawrence for the Jayhawks in 2024. Neal was a driving force behind Kansas’ program-changing upset of Texas in late 2021, amassing 169 combined rushing and receiving yards with four touchdowns.

Since then, he has been a cornerstone of the Jayhawks’ offense. Neal has rushed for over 100 yards in a game on 12 occasions and has surpassed 1,000 yards in a season twice. Additionally, he has forced at least four missed tackles in a game 15 times. As new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes takes over, seeing the changes in KU’s attack will be interesting. However, if Neal remains a focal point, the Jayhawks’ offense should thrive.

 

9 – Tahj Brooks | Texas Tech | 2023 stats: 1,541 yards rushing, 5.3 yards per rush, 10 rushing TDs, 29 receptions, 69 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs

Many felt that Tahj Brooks might be heading to the NFL, but he opted to come back to Lubbock for his senior season. Brooks enters the 2024 season with a chance to break Texas Tech’s career rushing record of 4,219 yards, set by Doak Walker Award winner Byron Hanspard from 1994-96.

The 2024 season will see significant changes on the offensive line, with five linemen departing and new transfers from Toledo, Memphis, and Middle Tennessee joining the squad. Clay McGuire, a Texas Tech alum who has worked under Mike Leach and Lincoln Riley, will become the new offensive line coach. Despite these changes, Brooks will remain a central figure in the Red Raiders’ offense as they aim to return to Big 12 contention.

In 2023, Brooks notched eight 100-yard games, seven of which came during Big 12 play, where he averaged 130.6 rushing yards per game. He totaled 1,175 rushing yards against conference opponents, ranking second in the FBS behind Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II, the eventual Doak Walker Award winner.

8 – Trevor Etienne | Georgia | 2023 stats: 753 yards rushing, 5.7 yards per rush, eight rushing TDs, 21 receptions, 172 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Trevor Etienne is the brother of former Clemson and current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Travis will watch his younger brother suit up against his alma mater in their 2024 season opener on Aug 31.

In 2023, Etienne tallied 131 carries for 753 rushing yards and eight touchdowns at Florida. He also contributed as a receiver, making 21 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown. Despite his productivity, Etienne shared the backfield with Montrell Johnson Jr. and was never the featured back.

At Georgia, Etienne can become the lead running back in a system known for its strong ground game. With the departures of top rushers Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, Etienne is poised to play a significant role in the Bulldogs’ offense. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound back is known for his explosiveness and ability to break tackles, making him a key player to watch in Georgia’s lineup.

7 – Jaydn Ott | Cal | 2023 stats: 1,305 yards rushing, 5.3 yards per rush, 12 rushing TDs, 26 receptions, 196 receiving yards, two receiving TDs

Many refer to Jaydn Ott as “Beastmode 2.0” because he’s the best Cal running back since Marshawn Lynch.

In his first season, Ott earned a spot on the Freshman All-American team and followed it up with first-team All-Pac-12 honors last season. Fortunately for the Golden Bears, Ott will return for another season in Berkeley, Calif. He had a breakout second season at Cal, averaging over 18 carries per game and amassing 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Over his two seasons with the Golden Bears, Ott has rushed for 2,212 yards on 416 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scoring 20 rushing touchdowns. Like Lynch, Ott is also a prolific pass-catcher and kickoff returner, with five receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return for a touchdown.

Ott was undoubtedly Cal’s best player; four of their wins came when he rushed for over 150 yards—a milestone he reached five times in the 2023 season. Ott’s decision to return to Berkeley for another year is a significant boost for the Bears, who look to build on their 2023 campaign.

6 – Donovan Edwards | Michigan | 2023 stats: 497 yards rushing, 4.2 yards per rush, 5 rushing TDs, 30 receptions, 249 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs

Michigan’s offensive identity revolves around a powerful running game, even when their opponents know it’s coming. Edwards burst onto the scene in 2022, rushing for 150 yards or more in three of the last six regular-season games and nearly reaching 1,000 total yards on just 140 carries. However, his momentum slowed in 2023 with the return of Blake Corum, who reclaimed his spot as the Wolverines’ primary back, amassing 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Edwards, a West Bloomfield native, had high hopes of entering the 2024 NFL Draft before the 2023 season, but his performance didn’t match his stellar sophomore year.

Despite this, Edwards remains a crucial part of Michigan’s offensive strategy, and his ability to bounce back will be essential for both his draft prospects and the Wolverines’ success.

5 – Trey’veon Henderson | Ohio State | 2023 stats: 926 yards rushing, 5.9 yards per rush, 11 rushing TDs, 19 receptions, 229 receiving yards, ten receiving TDs

Despite not being at full strength last year, TreVeyon Henderson led Ohio State with 926 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in ten games. Henderson burst onto the scene with 1,248 rushing yards as a freshman but has since struggled with injuries, totaling just 571 and 926 yards over the past two seasons. The Buckeyes are hopeful Henderson can stay healthy and return to 1,000-yard form.

This season, Henderson will share carries with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. Under Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s system, the running backs will be given plenty of opportunities. With an expanded schedule, 2024 could see Ohio State boasting two 1,000-yard rushers, provided both backs remain healthy and productive.

4 – Omarion Hampton | North Carolina | 2023 stats: 1,504 yards rushing, 5.9 yards per rush, 15 rushing TDs, 29 receptions, 222 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

North Carolina entered last season determined to emphasize the running game, and Omarion Hampton delivered in a big way. The breakout sophomore became a Doak Walker Award finalist and earned Walter Camp first-team All-America honors. Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards, the second-highest single-season total in school history, and scored 15 rushing touchdowns.

He also contributed to the passing game with 29 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown. Hampton recorded seven 100-yard games and finished fifth in total rushing yards in the FBS, solidifying his role as a key player in North Carolina’s offense.

Without former Tarheel quarterback and first-round pick Drake Maye, it is assumed that the Tarheel offense will lean heavily on Hampton Jr.

3 – Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State | 2023 stats: 1,158 yards rushing, 4.3 yards per rush, 15 rushing TDs, 22 receptions, 149 receiving yards, two receiving TDs 

The reality is that the top three running backs on this list are interchangeable. Judkins is third because he will be splitting carries with Trey’veon Henderson, but I fully believe they can both be 1,000-yard backs for Chip Kelly and Ryan Day. Judkins is probably the hardest runner in college football. He looks upset when he’s handed the football, and tackling him looks horrible.

Quinshon Judkins arrives at Ohio State from Ole Miss, where he amassed 2,725 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on 545 carries over two full seasons. He was dominant in the ground game, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2022 and 2023. By joining the Buckeyes in January, Judkins instantly elevated their offensive potential even before taking a snap.

Judkins’ freshman season at Ole Miss in 2022 was spectacular. He earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors, was a first-team all-league selection, and finished as a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. His 1,567 rushing yards were the second-most by a freshman in SEC history, trailing only Herschel Walker. Although his sophomore season saw a dip in some stats, he still led the SEC with 15 rushing touchdowns.

As Judkins enters his junior season with the Buckeyes, he finds himself in a new and intriguing situation. He is poised to significantly impact Ryan Day’s offense. His presence, alongside TreVeyon Henderson, could make Ohio State’s running game one of the most formidable in the nation.

2 – Ollie Gordon | Oklahoma State | 2023 stats: 1,732 yards rushing, 6.1 yards per rush, 21 rushing TDs, 39 receptions, 330 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

People will hate me for not having the defending Doak Walker Award winner at the top of the list. And don’t get me wrong—I love Ollie Gordon. There is much to like about him heading into 2024 as he looks to become the first back-to-back Doak Walker Award winner since Jonathon Taylor did it at Wisconsin in 2018 and 2019.

Gordon is set to lead the Oklahoma State offense into the 2024-25 season. Last year, Gordon rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging over six yards per carry. Despite his DUI arrest, head coach Mike Gundy has confirmed that Gordon won’t miss any playing time.

Gordon’s journey has been remarkable. He rushed for 308 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman but started last season with only 19 carries in Oklahoma State’s first three games, including just three carries for 12 yards in a 33-7 loss to South Alabama. However, the Cowboys retooled their offense to focus on Gordon, and the results were outstanding. He recorded eight 100-yard games in his next nine appearances, highlighted by two weeks in October where he ran for 553 yards and six touchdowns against West Virginia and Cincinnati.

Gordon finished the season with 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, including five touchdowns against BYU, tying Barry Sanders’ school record. As Oklahoma State’s first Doak Walker Award winner, Gordon is poised for another stellar season, carrying the momentum and expectations of Cowboys fans into 2024-25.

1 – Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | 2023 stats: 1,347 yards rushing, 6.1 yards per rush, 14 rushing TDs, 43 receptions, 569 receiving yards, five receiving TDs

Many may be surprised by Jeanty Jr.’s ranking, but I love how this kid runs the football. He is an absolute offensive weapon. I think he’s the best all-around back in the country in 2024.

The Broncos have a rich history at the running back position, and this year’s running back room stands among the greatest in Boise State history. Jeanty, an All-American talent, surprised the college football world by announcing his return to Boise State for the 2024 campaign. In the 2022 Frisco Bowl, Jeanty rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown, leading Boise State to a 35-32 win over North Texas. That season, he served as a capable backup to George Holani but had bigger aspirations.

In 2023, with Holani sidelined by injury at the start of the season, Jeanty seized the RB1 role and excelled. Despite missing two games himself due to injury, Jeanty rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also emerged as the Broncos’ second-leading receiver, recording 43 catches for 569 yards. Jeanty demonstrated his versatility by accumulating at least 100 combined rushing and receiving yards in 10 of the 12 games he played. His return solidifies Boise State’s backfield and keeps the tradition of exceptional running backs alive.