The 2025 running back class is one of the most loaded position groups in the 2025 NFL Draft, offering a mix of elite prospects and hidden gems. In this article, we’ll break down the top talent in the class, including the best overall player, Ashton Jeanty, and emerging stars like Cam Skattebo, whose breakout performance has turned heads. We’ll also highlight intriguing prospects like a potential sleeper in Miami’s Damien Martinez and the biggest risk in Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II. With a combination of high-end talent and late-round value, this class is packed with players who could make an immediate impact in the NFL.
Previewing the 2025 running back class
Top Player: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty stands out as the top running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a pro prospect, Jeanty demonstrates elite contact balance, highlighted by his astounding 135 forced missed tackles last season. In addition to his dominance on the ground, he’s a dynamic offensive weapon, leading all FBS running backs in receiving yards in 2023 with 569. Jeanty’s dual-threat capabilities make him a standout prospect with the potential to become a perennial Pro Bowler at the next level.
Guy I would stand on the table for: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Kaleb Johnson is a player that NFL Mocks highly values due to his rare blend of size, power, and speed. Last season, he led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,537 yards and averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry, all while consistently facing loaded boxes. Following in the footsteps of last year’s recipient of this recognition, Bucky Irving—who emerged as one of the NFL’s top young running backs with the Buccaneers—Johnson has the tools to become a high-quality starting running back early in his NFL career.
Breakout Player: Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Few players had a more explosive rise this season than Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, who led the Sun Devils from a preseason prediction to finish last in the Big 12 to winning the conference and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Skattebo’s defining moment came in the Big 12 Championship game, where he racked up 450 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns against Iowa State. He capped off the season by earning Offensive MVP honors in the Peach Bowl, becoming the first player in 26 years to win the award on a losing team. Skattebo finished the year with 1,711 rushing yards, 605 receiving yards, and 24 total touchdowns—a dramatic improvement from his 2023 season, when he posted 783 rushing yards, 286 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. His breakout performance not only transformed Arizona State’s season but also established him as one of the most physical running backs in college football history.
CAM SKATTEBO, WHAT A RUN 💪 pic.twitter.com/cVbN94l4xA
— ESPN (@espn) December 7, 2024
Sleeper: Damien Martinez, Miami
This year’s sleeper at the running back position is Miami running back Damien Martinez, who flew under the radar for much of the season due to the stellar play of Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward. However, when given opportunities, Martinez made the most of them, averaging 6.3 yards per carry—marking the third consecutive season he has averaged over 6 yards per carry. As a pro prospect, Martinez is a physical runner at 6-foot and 232 pounds, excelling at breaking tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged 4.46 yards after contact this season. Despite his size, Martinez displays impressive footwork, which, combined with his power and strong vision as a runner, makes him a much better prospect than the seventh-round grade he received from The 33rd Team.
Biggest Risk: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
What makes Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II the biggest risk in this year’s running back class is his significant drop in production this past season. In 2023, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year led the nation in rushing yards (1,732), yards from scrimmage (2,062), 100-yard games (9), 150-yard games (5), 250-yard games (2), and explosive carries of 20+ yards (21), 30+ yards (14), 40+ yards (7), and 70+ yards (2). However, this past season, Gordon managed only 880 rushing yards while averaging a career-low 4.6 yards per carry. Adding to the concerns is an off-season arrest in June for suspicion of DUI. From a skillset perspective, scouts question his upright running style and whether he possesses the speed necessary to break off long runs at the NFL level.