By Patrick Weider
The Big Ten’s ground-and-pound conference still exists, producing many top running backs each year. Next season, there will be plenty of fresh faces at the running back position, but the talent is still very much there. Below are the top 10 running backs in the Big Ten returning next season.
Watching #PennState RB Nicholas Singleton I think there are several paths to him being a useful complement in NFL backfield
— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) May 13, 2025
🏃♂️ Unique speed in open field for size
➕ Good flashes on 3rd down
🦁 KR with traits to cover kicks
Want to see him create more yards for himself in '25 pic.twitter.com/3ltYSURA56
1. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Penn State has a dynamic duo of Singleton and Kaytron Allen. I went with Singleton for the top spot because he is the more explosive of the two Penn State running backs. He averaged an eye-popping 6.4 yards per carry. Singleton is a talented running back who is a home run hitter every time he touches the ball.
All you need to know about Kenneth Grant is him chasing down Kaytron Allen on this play that's singed into my memory foreverpic.twitter.com/Zhfhiz9OPv
— Joey Gulino (@JGulinoYahoo) April 25, 2025
2. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Allen is the other Penn State running back, but he is equally as talented as running back as Singleton. Not as explosive as Singleton, but still a great running back. Just like Singleton he came back to college to try to win a conference and a national championship.
3. Jonah Coleman, Washington
After transferring from Arizona Coleman had a good year running the ball for Washington in 2024. He rushed for 1,053 yards and had 10 touchdowns. He has a chance to be even better next year.
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4. Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Taylor has been a consistent running back for the Gophers over the last two seasons. He rushed for 799 yards in 2023 and 986 yards in 2024. He could be a candidate to greatly improve those numbers next year.
Not enough people are talking about how good Justice Haynes is going to be for Michigan. Looked like a beast as a freshman against the eventual Champs. Roll Tide fans were begging for him to get more carries that game. pic.twitter.com/cfY6pM5v9n
— Michigan Diehards (@Diehardsport) May 2, 2025
5. Justice Haynes, Michigan
Haynes transferred to Michigan from Alabama in the offseason. He had a productive freshman year at Alabama and is expected to get serious playing time at Michigan after they saw two running backs graduate this offseason.
6. Roman Hemby, Indiana
Hemby has had a productive career at Maryland where he rushed for between 600-900 yards the last three seasons. He has since transferred to Indiana. He is also a good pass catcher as he caught 40 passes last year. He should add a dynamic element to the Indiana team.
James Peoples on Texas Boys flourishing at Ohio State pic.twitter.com/ot2D09HO8K
— Buckeye Backers (@BuckeyeBackers) March 19, 2025
7. James Peoples, Ohio State
This is more of a projection, but Peoples has a chance to be an excellent running back for the Buckeyes. He only rushed for 197 yards last season, but he has a chance to be a good running back. He has a good burst and quickness and should be in line to start for the Buckeyes.
Oregon HC Dan Lanning got one with Tulane transfer RB Makhi Hughes 🦆
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) May 13, 2025
Love his ability to stack his 2nd/3rd step & explode off his plant foot. Top 5 RB🔒
At 210 pounds, he’s proven his durability, averaging 5+ YPC and 250+ carries back to back years. pic.twitter.com/00FxALLb76
8. Makhi Hughes, Oregon
Oregon got a good running back in the transfer portal when they signed Hughes from Tulane. Hughes rushed for 1,401 yards with 15 touchdowns last year. He was a difference maker on the field for the Green Wave and now gets a chance to be the starting running back for Oregon.
9. CJ Donaldson, Ohio State
Ohio State picked up a key transfer in running back Donaldson. He has rushed for more than 700 yards in the last two years for West Virginia, so adding a veteran presence with Peoples should create a good one-two punch at running back for the Buckeyes. This was a good addition to the running back room for the defending national champs.
10. Aidan Laughery, Illinois
Laughery is in line to be the starting running back for Illinois after rushing for almost 600 yards in spot duty. I love his yards per carry, 6.1 ypc, which is impressive.
