By TJ Chapman
The SEC has produced some of the top running backs in college football history. Players like Herschel Walker, Jamal Lewis, Emmett Smith and Derrick Henry played their college ball in the SEC.
Even with the position arguably being devalued throughout the collegiate and professional ranks, you still need a solid run game if you are going to be successful.
Look no further than the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles who rode the backs of quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley to their championship in February. The last two college football national champions, Ohio State and Michigan, won those championships with stout run games.
It is rare to see a team with one running back who gets the vast majority of the carries. However, even the running back by committee approach needs a standout RB1. If the SEC is going to end their two-year drought of national championships, they will need to do so with a crop of younger running backs. Below are the top 7 running backs in the SEC for the 2025 college football season.
New Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy Last Season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 14, 2025
🐯 89.0 Rushing Grade
🐯 1,346 Rush Yards
🐯 13 Touchdowns
🐯 1,012 Yards AFTER Contact
🐯 93 Missed Tackles Forced pic.twitter.com/4OUKlXQieH
No. 7: Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
Hardy led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing in 2024 with 1,351 yards. Hardy is fast, explosive, strong and he hits the hole quickly and with authority. The only question will be can he handle the jump in competition from the SBC to the SEC. He should flourish in head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s offense.
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© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
No. 6: Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M
Moss led the Aggies in rushing in 2024, gaining 765 yards on the ground. He did this while only appearing in nine games as he left the South Carolina game on Nov. 2 with a season-ending leg injury. If Moss returns to his previous form the Aggies may make a run at the SEC championship game.
#Devy Spotlight: #FloridaGators RB Jadan Baugh
— Cory P. (@FF_Guitarist) April 9, 2025
6-1/230 lbs
Led Florida in rushing as a true freshman
Pretty light on his feet. Does some of his best work behind the LOS. Athleticism concerns will likely follow him, but solid burst & lateral ability. #Devy #C2C pic.twitter.com/f7cp3SBO0g
No. 5: Jadan Baugh, Florida
Baugh is a big back with a lot of speed and patience. Being in the Billy Napier offense he will ultimately split carries with other backs. But expect Baugh to get the majority of the carries, and to make the most of his opportunities. As a true freshman Baugh led the Gators in rushing in 2024 with 673 yards, a claim he should stake again in 2025.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images
No. 4: Nate Frazier, Georgia
Another true freshman who led his squad in rushing in 2024, Frazier burst on the scene in the opening game against Clemson where he rushed 11 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Frazier is fast, shifty and has good vision. He will get the majority of the carries, and I expect him to eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard mark in 2025.
Dante Dowdell turns on the jets for the TD!!! 💨 @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/NMIMk1mpgN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024
No. 3: Dante Dowdell, Kentucky
Another transfer who will be the RB1, Dowdell not only lead Nebraska in rushing yards, but his 12 rushing touchdowns were nine more than the next Cornhuskers rusher. Dowdell is a big back who is explosive, powerful and has very good speed. He split carries at Nebraska in 2024, but he should see the majority of the carries at Kentucky in 2025. The only question is can he handle being RB1?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwqm4PDfb8
No. 2: Caden Durham, LSU
The trend of true sophomore running backs in 2025 on this list is topped by LSU’s leading rusher in 2024. Durham is a smaller back who is fast, shifty, runs hard and fights for every extra yard he gets. Being in the Brian Kelly offense, Durham is also a solid option out of the backfield in the passing game. Durham should eclipse 1,000 yards of total offense for the second straight season in 2025.
🚨 #CFB's Top 5 Fastest Players Of Week 7️⃣:
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 14, 2024
T5.@TexasFootball's Quintrevion Wisner 💨
Starting with a house call 🏠⚡️ 20.9MPH#TexasFootball #SEC #HookEm pic.twitter.com/p6ijcqnHOB
No. 1: Quintrevion Wisner, Texas
Even with splitting time with Jaydon Blue, Wisner led the Longhorns in rushing last season with 1,064 yards. The junior out of Glenn Heights, Texas, is a good-sized back with good hands, vision and speed. He is a hard runner who fights for every yard. With Blue gone to the NFL Wisner will get the majority of the carries in 2025. Expect head coach Steve Sarkisian to rely heavily on Wisner early in the season as Arch Manning takes over as QB1.
Honorable Mentions
Jam Miller, Alabama, a fast, strong runner with good hands in the passing game. Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma, transferred in from California where he had an injury-plagued 2024 season, but led the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023. Rahsul Faison, South Carolina, a Utah State transfer who is explosive, shifty, extremely fast and a tough runner. The jump from the Mountain West Conference to the SEC might prove to be a tough transition. Peyton Lewis, Tennessee, has incredible speed for his size, and while he will see the majority of the carries he will split with DeSean Bishop. Both will get their opportunities in head coach Josh Heupel‘s offense.
