• Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the early RB1: The Fighting Irish star blends acceleration, footwork and receiving skill.

• Jonah Coleman is intriguing: The Washington product has never fumbled and is solid in pass protection.

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Estimated Reading Time: 20 minutes

The 2025 college football season has just begun, but it’s never too early to break down prospects for next spring’s draft class.

PFF Lead NFL Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema offers his breakdowns for 24 running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, from Jeremiyah Love to Nicholas Singleton to a Texas tandem and more.

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Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Strengths

• NFL-caliber acceleration and top-end speed
• Exceptional footwork — quick and balanced
• Quick processor for cuts, jukes and direction changes
• Runs and blocks with a determined, physical mindset
• Natural hands and route running as a receiver out of the backfield

Weaknesses

• Less impactful running between the tackles
• Inconsistent in pass protection, occasionally dips his head or lunges with his shoulder

Scouting Summary

Love is a future impact back at the NFL level. He checks every athletic box — speed, burst, agility and change-of-direction — and pairs it with sharp footwork and natural receiving ability. While his power game between the tackles and in pass protection still needs refinement, the foundation is strong. Love projects as a versatile offensive weapon with first-round potential.

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Jadyn Ott, Oklahoma

Strengths

• Good acceleration with long strides — offers adequate NFL-level speed
• Consistent receiving production across all three seasons at Cal
• Shows solid strength and balance in pass protection
• Quick and decisive with jump cuts to adjust to blocks and evade defenders behind the line
• Displays high-level patience and timing when setting up blocks
• High football IQ — does the little things with purpose and attention

Weaknesses

• Recorded multiple fumbles in 2023

Scouting Summary

Ott is a very well-rounded running back prospect. When he’s healthy, there just aren’t many things he doesn’t do well. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s absolutely athletic enough — both linearly and laterally — for the NFL. He has excellent patience and awareness to let blocks develop and find open space. He has some misses in pass protection, but he generally has his eyes in the right area and the body type to block well. As a receiver, Ott has consistently produced in all three years at Cal. He’s an NFL back for all three downs.

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Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Strengths

• Elite blend of size and explosiveness
• Has the power to run through tacklers
• Good receiving production throughout his career
• Light footwork in pass protection to mirror defenders

Weaknesses

• Vision is very straightforward; he needs to be more creative
• Lower efficiency numbers — missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt — than expected for a player with his physical tools
• Has the strength and foot speed to be reliable in pass protection, but needs to better anticipate rushers to stay in front of them

Scouting Summary

Singleton is a gifted athlete who converts top-tier speed and acceleration into power. He is also used a good amount as a receiver out of the backfield. While he has all the tools you want from a running back, his style is very straightforward — if it’s blocked up well, he gets the yards; if not, he’ll sometimes leave you wanting more. This can lead to a lack of creativity in his vision and in forcing missed tackles in space. More of a playmaker mentality could make Singleton a highly coveted back.

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Jonah Coleman, Washington

Strengths

• Has the size to run behind his pads with power
• More lateral agility than expected for his weight class
• Processes well enough to find open rushing lanes
• Very strong efficiency metrics (missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt)
• Reliable receiving production (only one drop on 77 targets from 2022 to 2024)
• Zero fumbles on over 400 career carries
• Excellent vision, technique and effectiveness in pass protection

Weaknesses

• Speed appears to be well below NFL standards, both in top-end speed and acceleration

Scouting Summary

Coleman has an NFL build and outstanding rushing grades over the first three years of his college career. At over 225 pounds, he runs with good power and balance to gain yards after contact, yet shows surprising foot quickness and lateral agility for his size. He’s also a dependable pass-catcher and a very effective pass protector. The primary concern with Coleman is his speed, as both his top-end burst and acceleration appear to be below average by NFL standards. He projects as a strong power back in a two-back committee, with most of his production likely to come between the tackles.

Quinten Joyner, Texas Tech

Strengths

• NFL-level top-end speed
• Very quick feet — effective with jump cuts and jukes
• Playmaker mentality makes him a natural candidate for a high missed tackles forced per attempt average
• Has the baseline for pass protection (effort and vision), but needs to clean up technique
• Limited receiving production, but shows the tools to contribute in that area

Weaknesses

• Vision is generally good, but he can be more decisive, especially behind man and gap concepts
• Undersized for an NFL running back
• Lacks strength in pass protection

Scouting Summary

Joyner is a bit undersized by NFL standards, but he brings a strong skill set heading into his first draft-eligible season. His quick footwork and playmaking mentality contribute to consistently high missed tackles forced per attempt numbers — a strength that stood out in 2024. His sprinter background translates to impressive top speed when he finds open space, and he displays good balance and effort to fight for yards after contact. In pass protection, he shows willingness and decent vision, but needs to improve technique and strength. Though his receiving production has been limited, Joyner has the athleticism and upside to develop into a useful option in the passing game.

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C.J. Baxter, Texas

Strengths

• Ideal build for an NFL running back
• Smooth and explosive movement when healthy
• Good balance for a back over six feet tall
• Soft hands as a receiver

Weaknesses

• Indecisive when approaching defenders
• Must return to form following ACL tear
• Lacks awareness, technique, and confidence in pass protection

Scouting Summary

Baxter has the build and athletic traits of a future NFL contributor. However, there’s limited film to evaluate — he looked inexperienced as a true freshman in 2023 and missed all of 2024 due to injury. At this stage, he’s a high-upside, “wait and see” prospect whose 2025 return will be key in determining his draft outlook.

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Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

Strengths

• NFL-level top speed
• Strong receiving production in 2024
• Only one career fumble on over 375 carries
• Light for a pass protector, but shows good vision and takes pride in the role
• Agile athlete with quick feet

Weaknesses

• Likely won’t generate much yardage after contact
• Needs to play faster more consistently; straddles the line between patience and hesitancy

Scouting Summary

As a smaller back, Claiborne can cover ground quickly when he sees daylight and can be a home run threat if he gets to the edge. However, Wake Forest’s long mesh RPO scheme makes it difficult to fully evaluate his vision in man or gap concepts. He’s an agile athlete with the ability to force missed tackles and run clean routes out of the backfield, though his tempo sometimes borders on hesitation. Claiborne doesn’t break many tackles when defenders square him up, so avoiding contact is key to his success. He also offers upside as a receiver and pass protector on third downs.

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Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Strengths

• Determined running style; unfazed by contact
• Pinball-type runner who generates yards after contact
• Effective one-cut ability behind zone-blocking schemes

Weaknesses

• Limited involvement in the passing game to date (four drops on 26 targets in 2024)
• Efficiency scores — missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt — are lower than ideal
• Tends to dip his head and eyes into contact rather than looking to avoid it

Scouting Summary

Hughes has a determined running style that could help him earn a spot on an NFL roster. He doesn’t shy away from contact and often bounces off defenders to create extra yardage. However, his efficiency numbers — particularly missed tackles forced and yards after contact per attempt — are lower than expected given his play style. He’s also been minimally involved in the receiving game. To separate himself in this class and at the next level, he’ll need to become more dynamic and contribute more consistently as an all-around back.

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Kaytron Allen, Penn State

Strengths

• Speed and acceleration appear adequate for the NFL
• Good physical build for the next level
• Displays some wiggle when approaching tacklers
• Has consistently averaged over 3.0 yards after contact per attempt throughout his career
• Strong leg drive allows him to run through arm tackles

Weaknesses

• Lacks a true “getaway” gear in open space
• Takes a split second too long to decide on lateral moves
• A bit stiff in terms of elusiveness
• Limited production as a pass catcher
• Needs to stay more square and keep his feet active in pass protection

Scouting Summary

If you view Allen through the lens of a power back, there’s a lot to like. He converts speed to power well and uses a strong leg drive to fight through arm tackles, making him effective in short-yardage situations. However, he lacks the top-end speed to fully capitalize when he breaks into space. While he’s built like an NFL running back, he may need to improve his elusiveness and become more of a factor on third downs — both as a receiver and in pass protection — to earn a lead role at the next level.

Strengths

• Quick acceleration with strong top-end speed (track background)
• Showed excellent contact balance in 2024
• While pass protection grades were poor in 2023 and 2024, he flashes promise with physicality and footwork

Weaknesses

• Limited experience and efficiency as a receiver (four drops on just 33 career targets)
• Could play with a quicker pace behind the line of scrimmage

Scouting Summary

Moss has a track background that clearly translates to the football field when he gets into open space — especially on outside zone runs. His yards after contact and overall balance improved significantly in 2024. While he hasn’t been a major factor in the passing game and has struggled in pass protection, there’s potential in both areas. His return from a knee injury will be a key factor, but Moss has an NFL-caliber skill set — even if his role ends up being that of a rotational back.

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Quintrevion Wisner, Texas

Strengths

• Plays the position with a chip on his shoulder
• Smooth one-cut style fits well behind man/gap and inside zone blocking
• High receiving involvement early in his career (though most targets had an average depth of target behind the line of scrimmage)
• Stronger through contact than his weight profile suggests
• Consistently runs with good ball security technique

Weaknesses

• Not especially creative in forcing missed tackles
• Recorded just one run over 20 miles per hour in 2024
• Tends to lunge in pass protection

Scouting Summary

Wisner plays like he has something to prove every time he touches the ball. He runs with more power than his listed weight would suggest and thrives in one-cut scenarios behind man/gap and inside zone schemes. As an underclassman, his approach emphasized ball security and north–south efficiency rather than creativity and elusivity. He also shows some potential as a third-down back, though he’ll likely need to improve his strength and pass protection technique to fully earn that role.

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Strengths

• One of the highest career missed tackles forced per attempt averages on record (0.47 over four seasons)
• Relies heavily — and effectively — on a nasty stiff arm
• Reaches top speed within three steps
• Very high PFF rushing grades across all four collegiate seasons

Weaknesses

• Three fumbles in 2024
• Explosive, but runs with short stride lengths
• Vision can be inconsistent in open space; not particularly patient
• Virtually no receiving production throughout his college career
• Pass protection traits are there, but he lacks the anticipation to pick up blitzers reliably

Scouting Summary

As a pure runner, Stewart is absolutely NFL-caliber. Though listed at 5-foot-8 with shorter strides, he accelerates quickly and runs with a powerful frame. He bounces off contact, uses his stiff arm aggressively, and boasts a career missed tackles forced per attempt rate of 0.47 — an elite figure over four seasons. However, his vision and anticipation remain inconsistent, both as a runner and in pass protection. Stewart also brings minimal value as a receiver, which could limit his role early in an NFL offense.

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Darius Taylor, Minnesota

Strengths

• Patient, one-cut running style
• Exceptionally quick and light on his feet — like a walking jump-cut drill at the line of scrimmage
• Excellent vision to sift through traffic and locate open space
• High-volume receiving workload out of the backfield in 2024

Weaknesses

• Top-end speed and acceleration are well below NFL standards
• Recorded multiple drops in 2024

Scouting Summary

Taylor’s patient, one-cut style fits well behind man or gap schemes, with some effectiveness in inside zone as well. He has strong vision and quick feet, allowing him to sort through chaos at the line of scrimmage. As a receiver, he brings plenty of experience and solid career grades. His primary limitation is athleticism — while he’s quick and balanced, his top speed and explosiveness fall well short of NFL expectations.

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Dean Connors, Houston

Strengths

• Strong missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt numbers in 2023
• Very good game speed scores (above 94.0) in both 2023 and 2024, with 10 runs exceeding 20 miles per hour
• Legitimate receiving threat — even lines up in the slot
• Solid baseline for pass protection at the NFL level

Weaknesses

• Four fumbles across the 2023 and 2024 seasons
• Short stride length limits his top-end speed in the open field
• One-cut decisions take more than one step, which can disrupt timing behind zone-blocking schemes

Scouting Summary

Connors brings a blend of track speed and receiving ability that gives him clear NFL potential in a committee backfield. His missed tackles forced and yards after contact metrics were strong in 2023, though they dipped in 2024. While his pass protection remains a bit inconsistent, he shows a solid foundation. As a runner, his delayed one-cut style is better suited to man or gap schemes than mid or outside zone. He projects as a versatile third-down specialist with real impact potential in the passing game — including split-out receiver usage.

Dante Dowdell, Kentucky

Strengths

• High-energy running style despite a 225-plus-pound frame
• Brings the right attitude and pride to pass protection
• Earned an 87.3 PFF rushing grade in third-and-short situations

Weaknesses

• Lacks creativity as a runner — tends to put his head down and run straight ahead
• Brings energy to pass protection, but needs more control and technique
• Minimal receiving usage (one drop on just eight targets in 2024)

Scouting Summary

Dowdell is a big back who checks all the boxes you expect from that archetype — reliable in short-yardage situations and brings physicality in pass protection. That combination should earn him a draft selection and a legitimate shot in the NFL. However, to grow into more than a niche role, he’ll need to become more dynamic and versatile on early downs in a committee backfield.

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Justice Haynes, Michigan

Strengths

• Good overall build for the NFL level
• Highly accomplished high school background
• Rocked-up frame built to take — and deliver — punishment

Weaknesses

• Lacks creativity in his running style, possibly due to limited starting experience
• Has shown signs of hesitation or lack of confidence when starting games

Scouting Summary

Haynes easily passes the “off the bus” test for an NFL running back, with solid size and a well-developed frame. He has the body type to lower his shoulder and run through contact, supported by a decent yards after contact per attempt average. However, his limited playing time likely contributes to some of his current drawbacks — including a straightforward running style that lacks creativity and hesitation in early game reps. When confident, he’s capable of impressive runs. A larger role at Michigan could reveal the next step in his development.

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Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

Strengths

• Tougher to bring down than his measurables suggest
• Very good lateral quickness to make defenders miss
• Top-end speed projects as well above average for the NFL
• Just one fumble on 450 career carries
• Strong receiving production from 2022 to 2024 — over 500 receiving yards at Pitt in 2024
• Has special teams experience, including punt return duties in high school and at Pittsburgh

Weaknesses

• Extremely undersized for the NFL (5-foot-8, 175 pounds)
• Yards after contact per attempt dipped below 3.0 in 2024

Scouting Summary

At 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, Hammond is the latest case study in the question: How small is too small for an NFL running back? Despite the size concerns, he’s been consistently productive — surpassing 800 rushing yards in each of the past three seasons — while also contributing significantly as a receiver and return specialist. History hasn’t been kind to backs of this size in the pros, even those with elite college production like Donnel Pumphrey. Still, if Hammond continues to produce at a high level, he could warrant a late Day 3 flier as a change-of-pace back and special teams contributor.

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Hollywood Smothers, North Carolina State

Strengths

• Excellent acceleration from 0 to 60
• Fluid lower body allows for strong balance after contact
• Can “get skinny” between blockers and slip under arm tackles
• Good vision behind zone-blocking schemes to locate daylight
• Reliable receiving production in 2024 (though his average depth of target was low)

Weaknesses

• Not as twitchy or agile as expected for his size
• Top-end speed looks decent, but not exceptional

Scouting Summary

Smothers has strong vision and balance behind zone-blocking schemes. While his frame isn’t physically imposing and his top speed doesn’t stand out, he runs with good shiftiness and core strength, allowing him to stay upright and gain yards after contact. He’s also a reliable receiver out of the backfield and could thrive as a change-of-pace option in the right system.

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Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami (FL)

Strengths

• Decent downhill speed
• Already one of the best pass-protecting backs in the class, based on underclassman tape

Weaknesses

• Very limited receiving usage in his first two seasons
• Lacks agility and lateral balance
• Doesn’t play as powerfully through contact as his frame suggests

Scouting Summary

Fletcher has earned strong PFF rushing grades over the past two seasons as a spot starter. His standout trait so far is his pass protection — he’s already among the best backfield blockers in the country and this draft class. However, he lacks the quickness and balance to make sharp cuts or sudden moves in space, and his physicality at contact doesn’t quite match his build. To elevate his draft stock, Fletcher needs to seize a lead-back role in 2025 and prove he can be more than just a third-down, pass protection specialist.

Bryson Washington, Baylor

Strengths

• Head-down, north–south running style
• Will lower his shoulder into contact against any defender
• Not flexible, but light on his feet for his frame
• Holds his ground in pass protection

Weaknesses

• Battering-ram approach limits yardage — tunnel vision leaves opportunities on the field
• Stiffness as a runner shows when asked to move laterally
• Lacks patience and tempo as a ball carrier
• Needs lighter feet and better anticipation in pass protection to handle third-down responsibilities

Scouting Summary

Washington runs with zero fear — he’s trying to hit top speed quickly and lower his shoulder with maximum power. He plays the position like someone who’s been on the defensive side of the ball, which makes sense given his background as a safety. That mindset is both a strength and a weakness. While his physicality is admirable, his lack of vision, patience, and tempo often leaves yards on the field. If he can improve his feel for space and develop more of a playmaker’s mentality, Washington could rise as a physical depth option in this class.

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Jahiem White, West Virginia

Strengths

• Strong rushing efficiency in 2024 — missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt
• Decent lateral quickness behind man and gap scheme blocking concepts

Weaknesses

• Short stride length limits top-end speed
• Low receiving production (two drops on just 28 targets in 2024)
• Inconsistent in pass protection — slow footwork

Scouting Summary

White shows good vision and fits well behind man or gap scheme blocking, supported by encouraging rushing efficiency in 2024. However, he’ll need to build a more robust overall profile to overcome size concerns — at 5-foot-7, his short stride length limits his explosiveness and top speed. He must also improve in third-down areas, particularly in pass protection and receiving, to earn a depth role at the NFL level.

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Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech

Strengths

• Low center of gravity allows him to run through arm tackles
• Good first-step explosiveness
• Quick feet for jump cuts at the line of scrimmage
• Vision is generally quick enough to find the right rushing lane
• Explosive one-cut ability, especially behind inside zone-blocking concepts

Weaknesses

• Low receiving production despite a wide receiver background
• Short stride length limits top-end speed
• Overall athleticism is below average for the pro level
• Ball security concerns: four fumbles and seven drops across 2023 and 2024

Scouting Summary

Haynes, a former wide receiver who transitioned to running back in 2023, brings a compact frame and short-area explosiveness as his top traits. Despite his receiving background, his production in that phase has been limited, and he’s struggled with ball security — both in terms of fumbles and drops. His top-end athleticism also appears below NFL standards for the position. To carve out a role at the next level, Haynes may need to lean more heavily into his receiving skill set and refine his technique in that area.

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Noah Whittington, Oregon

Strengths

• Can get skinny through traffic with a smaller build
• Just one fumble on over 400 career carries

Weaknesses

• Will be one of the older prospects in the 2026 draft class
• Top-end speed is below average for the NFL level
• Suffered an ACL tear in 2023
• Very low rushing efficiency — missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt — over the last four seasons
• Limited receiving production throughout his career
• Often overpowered in pass protection

Scouting Summary

Whittington enters the 2025 season as one of the older backs in the 2026 draft class, dating back to the 2020 recruiting cycle. He’s posted decent rushing production at both Western Kentucky and Oregon, but lacks the physical and athletic traits that typically translate to NFL success. He’ll need a standout season to improve his stock and separate from a deep group of prospects.

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A’Marion Peterson, UTSA

Strengths

• Well-built frame for the pro level
• Shows good first-step explosiveness when running with confidence

Weaknesses

• Minimal playing time during two years at USC
• Vision is inconsistent when identifying open rushing lanes
• Too often runs into contact instead of avoiding it

Scouting Summary

Peterson’s scouting profile remains incomplete due to a limited sample size at USC. While he has the build and flashes some burst, it’s difficult to evaluate his full skill set without meaningful reps. His transfer to UTSA presents an opportunity for increased volume and a more accurate projection moving forward.

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