By Tony Thomas
The Group of Five (G5) teams have talented players at all positions, especially at running back. Three ball carriers on this list averaged a whopping six yards per carry in 2023. Here are five running backs that will show why the Group of Five teams are as talented as any in college football.
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State Broncos
5’9”, 210 lbs.
Ashton Jeanty ran his way to the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year and All-American honors in 2023. Jeanty rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging over six yards per carry. That was good enough for #7 in the FBS. In addition, Jeanty showed off his pass catching skills by hauling in 43 passes for 569 yards and five more scores.
That man @AshtonJeanty2 can play ball
Elite dual-threat ability who was a converted WR with elite hands and is so elusive in space
One of the best RBs in the 2025 class mark my words 🎯#NFLDraft2025pic.twitter.com/D3k6p5GpkR
— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) February 29, 2024
Jeanty posted six games over 100 yards rushing, including 205 yards and two touchdowns in a win over San Diego State, and 212 yards and three scores in a 1-point loss to Colorado State.
Against Memphis, Jeanty accounted for four touchdowns (two rushing, to receiving) in a 3-point loss. In the Air Force game, Jeanty rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, and gained 118 yards receiving yards and a score in a 27-19 win. In addition, Jeanty scored three rushing touchdowns vs. North Dakota.
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What will Jeanty do for an encore? We shall see, but the Broncos success in 2024 will most certainly be centered around Jeanty.
Quinton Cooley
Liberty Flames
5’7”, 210 lbs.
The leading rusher on the #1 rushing offense in college football in 2023, Quinton Cooley totaled 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns, and averaged 6.34 yards per carry. Those numbers were good enough for #15 in the FBS.
Terrific example of inline blocking by Liberty TE (#15) Bentley Hanshaw on both of these runs from Quinton Cooley 😤 pic.twitter.com/lERKIz5rhd
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) October 11, 2023
Cooley posted seven games of over 100 yards rushing, including four in a row. Three times last season, Cooley scored three rushing touchdowns in a game, on his way to earning 1st Team All-Conference USA honors.
With the return of Cooley and QB Kaidon Salter, head coach Jamey Chadwell and the Flames should have the top rushing attack in college football in 2024.
Ismail Mahdi
Texas State Bobcats
5’9”, 180 lbs.
Ranked #13 in the FBS at 102 rushing yards per game last season, Ismail Mahdi rushed for 1,331 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry. In addition, Mahdi gained 563 yards on kickoff returns and a touchdown. Mahdi posted four games of over 100 yards rushing, including 216 yards on 21 carries (10-yard average) and two touchdowns in a 35-24 win over Nevada.
On the road at Southern Miss, Mahdi took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a house call and an early 7-0 lead. To pour salt into an already open wound, Mahdi scored three rushing touchdowns in a 50-36 win over the Golden Eagles at The Rock in Hattiesburg.
Texas State RB Ismail Mahdi 100-Yard Kickoff Return Touchdown! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WqZRE4vhFa
— LIGHT ON COLLEGE SPORTS (@LightOnSports) September 30, 2023
For his efforts, Mahdi earned 1st Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as an all-purpose player. With Mahdi’s return and the addition of QB Jordan McCloud (transfer from JMU), the Texas State offense under head coach GJ Kinne should be firing on all cylinders on Saturdays this fall.
Makhi Hughes
Tulane Green Wave
5’11”, 205 lbs.
As a true freshman in 2023, Makhi Hughes rushed for 1,378 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers were good enough for #21 nationally. Hughes recorded seven games over 100 yards rushing, including six in a row. Against UAB, Hughes scored two rushing TDs. In a win over UTSA, Hughes rushed for a season-high 166 yards.
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For his efforts, Hughes earned 1st Team All-AAC honors. This coming season, Hughes should pick up where he left off in 2023, cracking the century mark on a consistent basis.
Mario Anderson
Memphis Tigers (transfer from South Carolina)
5’9”, 208 lbs.
In one season at South Carolina, Mario Anderson led the Gamecocks with 707 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Anderson rushed for over 100 yards in two games last season, 101 yards and a TD in a 41-20 loss to Tennessee, and 102 yards and 1 TD in a 47-6 win over Vanderbilt.
South Carolina ties it up with Florida thanks to this Mario Anderson TD 💪#SEC #CollegeFootball #SpursUp
pic.twitter.com/iUS2Rh1OMZ— Back Home Sports (@BackHomeSports) October 14, 2023
Anderson will be a talented compliment to veteran QB Seth Henigan and his experienced corps of wide receivers come this fall.
