6 running back prospects for the Ravens to watch at the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl
The Baltimore Ravens have started their off-season plans, and as the organization looks to regroup and keep their Super Bowl window open, they’ll need to retool through the draft and could have 11 picks in April’s selection process.
The East-West Shrine Bowl will kick off later this week, and we’re previewing prospects that could become future Ravens.
We’re starting with the running back position. Baltimore has Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, and Rasheen Ali, all under contract for next season.
Josh Williams, RB, LSU
Runningback Josh Williams 18 as the LSU Tigers take on the Vanderbilt Commodores. Nov 23, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium.
Williams has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after six seasons with the Tigers. Williams began his career as a walk-on and captured a National Championship in 2019 on the historic squad that Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson started on. The veteran running back appeared in 60 games for the Tigers, totaling 1,494 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, along with 600 receiving yards on 71 receptions with another score through the air.
Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Nov 9, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Raheim Sanders (5) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is a running back for the South Carolina Gamecocks who is expected to be drafted mid to late round in 2025. During 12 games at South Carolina, Sanders rushed 183 times for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 316 yards and a pair of scores.
Sanders began his career at Arkansas in 2021 before transferring to South Carolina earlier this year.
Montrell Johnson, RB, Florida
Nov 30, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
An impact player who transferred to Florida, Johnson Jr. was outstanding as a junior in 2023 and started in all but one of his 12 games, leading the team in rushing yards (817) in back-to-back years. He also added six touchdowns (five rushing and one receiving) to his resume for the year. As a senior, Johnson Jr. ended the year playing in 10 games and rushing for 593 yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries.
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tahj Brooks (28) runs the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers defensive back Anthony Wilson Jr. (12) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
Brooks is a fan favorite and Texas Tech’s all-time leading rusher. He is a dynamic player with an underrated change of direction and balance, but he plays exceptionally violent and runs behind his pads.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, RB, Arkansas
Nov 30, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Ja’Quinden Jackson (22) scores a touchdown as Missouri Tigers safety Marvin Burks Jr. (1) looks on during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Before he arrived at Arkansas, Jackson played in 12 regular season games at Utah with 11 starts, leading the Utes in carries (161), rushing yards (797), rushing touchdowns (4), and 100-yard games (3). After spending one season in Fayetteville with the Arkansas Razorbacks, the redshirt senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson announced that he would enter his name in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jackson rushed for 790 yards and 15 touchdowns on 149 attempts across 10 games. His best performance came against Oklahoma State in Week 2, when he carried the ball 24 times for 149 yards and three scores.
Corey Kiner, RB, Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner (21) runs to the 1-yard line in the second quarter of the NCAA football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and TCU Horned Frogs at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Kiner developed into a reliable workhorse for the Bearcats, racking up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Still, his smaller frame could push him further down the draft board. Kiner’s hard-running fits with what the Ravens like to do at the running back position.
