RBU: Schools That Produce the Best Running Backs in the NFL

With QBU and WRU already in the books, today we highlight the running back position. Where does your favorite program rank on the RBU pantheon? Check it out below!

One position that is becoming increasingly less valued in the NFL is running back. Sure, the top-tier guys all land comfortable second contracts, but the shelf life for an NFL running back is minuscule. The average span of an NFL career for ball carriers is a shade over 2.5 years. That’s it. Similar to a comet flying through the night sky, running backs come and go before you even notice they were there. Seven running backs have gone in the first round over the past five drafts, although the 2022 NFL Draft did not see a single one go in the opening round.

Taking a look at the top rushers of this past season, all of them are young and still on their first or second contract. Guys like Jonathan Taylor and Najee Harris are both still on their cheap rookie deals, giving their teams incredible return on their investment already. High-paid guys like Joe Mixon, Ezekiel Elliott, and Dalvin Cook showed up as well, making their respective front offices look brilliant. It may not be a truly sought-after position, but the group still features some of the biggest stars in the sport.

RBU: Which School Takes the Top Spot in the RBU Rankings?

Some came out of obscurity, taking unconventional routes to the NFL. Austin Ekeler (Western Colorado), Aaron Jones (UTEP), Elijah Mitchell (SMU), and James Robinson (Illinois State) all hail from non-traditional power five programs. Speaking of power five, a few schools didn’t quite make the cut but I must mention Christian McCaffery (Stanford), considering he is one of the best players in the league when healthy. As you can tell, running backs can come from anywhere to find success in the NFL.

In this article, I have compiled a list of 12 programs. Six honorable mentions and then the top six ranked in order from worst to best. As always, this is my interpretation and I love any feedback. Tell me what I got right and where I got it wrong. Things begin with the honorable mention section! In this section, the order is not as set in stone.

HM: North Carolina Tar Heels

•Javonte Williams (Broncos)

•Michael Carter (Jets)

•Ty Chandler (Vikings)

•Giovani Bernard (Buccaneers)

With youngsters Javonte Williams and Michael Carter entering year two in the NFL, and 2021 draft pick Ty Chandler adding his name to the fold, there’s a chance that the UNC Tar Heels ascend the list in the coming years. As of right now, though, Giovani Bernard still has the best track record of the bunch. He played a big role for some Bengals’ playoff teams in past years, but he may not even make the final roster for the Buccaneers in 2022. Williams, Carter, and Chandler all find themselves in a running back committee, though to varying degrees. Chandler has no chance, barring injury, to supplant Dalvin Cook on the Vikings and with the arrival of Breece Hall, Carter is not going to get near the number of touches as he could. Javonte Williams is a different story. He’s also in a committee, but he’s very clearly the top guy on that committee. As productive as Melvin Gordon was in 2021, it’s time to take the training wheels off of Williams. The future of this program in RBU discussions lies squarely on the back of No. 33 on the Denver Broncos.

HM: Iowa State Cyclones

•David Montgomery (Bears)

•Breece Hall (Jets)

Speaking of Breece Hall, the Iowa State Cyclones check in next on the honorable mentions list. Hall has yet to take a snap in the NFL, so some projecting is involved here, but the New York Jets spent valuable draft capital on him, and for good reason. Hall tallied 50 rushing touchdowns and nearly 4000 yards on the ground throughout his three-year career at Iowa State. If he can mix in pass catching in the NFL, as he did last year with the Cyclones, the sky is the limit in terms of Hall’s ability to be a feature back in the league. David Montgomery is much more established than Hall, but he has a clear ceiling given the current state of the Chicago Bears. The team is unlikely to be competitive again during Montgomery’s prime, but hopefully, his talent will shine through and allow him to put up strong numbers as the starter nonetheless.