Preseason Top 10 Running Backs for the 2026 NFL Draft

1. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)

Coming off a National Championship appearance, Love is poised to dominate College football this year. His 2024 season was very productive, he had 1,100 yards along with 19 total touchdowns. Entering his second full year of starting, he is expected to become more versatile by playing in the slot. His skill set is a combination of physicality with the ball in his hands, and the ability to make sharp cuts and accelerate for big runs. He has patience, vision and determination when running the ball. The only thing holding Love back this year, is his struggles with knee injuries, as it limited him in multiple games this season.

2. Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)

With the decision to return to school, and compete for a title and raise his draft stock, Nicholas Singleton will be looking to be RB1 after this year. He has potential to be a 3 down back in the NFL. He has great size, listed at 6’0 230 lbs. His burst of acceleration through the hole makes him dangerous in zone and gap schemes.

3. Makhi Hughes (Oregon)

The Tulane transfer is the new RB1 for Oregon. Hughes has the natural ability to make people miss, and run through the tackles. Along side Noah Whittington, and a high powered offensive line, the Oregon run game will be elite. Hughes had 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns this past season, and 1,300 and 7 tds the year prior. Makhi Hughes is the next Oregon running back to be selected in the NFL Draft.

4. Kaytron Allen (Penn State)

Treyveon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins proved there can be 2 high drafted running backs on one team. Singleton and Allen are the next guys up. Allen is a similar player to Singleton, he can run through tackles, and is a one cut downhill runner. He is a classic work horse back, and shows huge NFL potential.

5. Jonah Colemon (Washington)

Coleman is a bruiser back, he has quick feet and agile movements. He breaks tackles very efficiently, and can explode through the hole. He transferred from Arizona in 2024, and in one year at Washington he ran for 1053 yards and 10 touchdowns.

6. Darius Taylor (Minnesota)

Darius Taylor is a very talented back for the Golden Gophers. He is elusive, strong and has the ability to bouce off tacklers. He is very good in space, as he can run away from defenders using his long strides, and aggresive running style. He had 986 yards on the ground along with 10 touchdowns, he is expected to have a monster season for Minnesota this year.

7. Quintrevion Wisner (Texas)

The Junior Texas back took on a bigger role this past season with C.J Baxter getting injured. He emerged as their #1 back, rushing for 1064 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is a huge threat in the pass game, with 44 receptions, 311 yards and 1 touchdown. He is a great size, listed at 6’0 200 lbs, and uses his body to run through defenders and make big plays. He will be a key weapon for the talented Longhorns this season.

8. Jaydn Ott (Oklahoma)

Recently transferring to Ou from Cal, Ott is the new threat on the ground for the Sooners. He brings speed, elusiveness and the catching threat out of the backfield. He has patient running to find the hole, and good vision and acceleration to create chunk plays. He had a disappointing 2024 season, but his 2023 season was elite, rushing for 1305 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hopefully he can bounce back with Oklahoma and have another monster year.

9. Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M)

In 2024, Moss only played 8 games before he missed the remainder of the year with a undisclosed knee injury. Throughout those 8 games, he was one of the top running backs in the SEC, he ran for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns. Moss is a juiced up runner who will run past the second level of defenders.

10. Mark Fletcher Jr (Miami)

Fletcher is a young, big and powerful back. He does not have long full feild speed, but can hit the whole hard and cause big plays to happen. He is dangerous on the goal line, scoring 9 touchdowns in 2024 as the RB2. He also serves as a great blocker in pass protection, which NFL teams value in running backs.