The value of running backs is going up in the NFL. With rookie running backs like Quinshon Jenkins, Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo and Jacory Croskey-Merritt making big impacts in their first seasons in the NFL, that value will continue to rise.
With the college football season past the halfway mark, attention now turns to the 2026 NFL Draft class and which running backs could make immediate impacts at the next level like the rookie running backs getting it done for NFL teams.
2026 NFL Draft running backs: Half backs to fall in love with
The 2026 NFL Draft running back class starts with a player NFL scouts will fall in love with if they haven’t already and that is Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love who is showcasing his top 10 draft pick talent. That is with sharing the rock with Jadarian Price, who together, gives the Fighting Irish the best running back duo in the nation. Are both top 5 worthy as far as half back prospects?
If one player has a say in the power 5, it is Penn State running back Kaytron Allen who has been a bright spot for the Nittany Lions in what has been a lost season. Allen has surpassed Nicholas Singleton as the team's best running back and is showcasing himself as a playmaker to watch the rest of the season.
Beyond Love, Allen and Price, other running back talent is emerging. Which have rushed their way into the power 5?
No. 1: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2025 Stats: Rush Yards: 758 | TD: 9 | Yards Per Carry: 6.1 | Rec: 19 | Rec Yards: 197
Jeremiyah Love is not only establishing himself as the top running back prospect in the country, but one of the top playmakers in the nation. Love got off to a slow start to start the season but has quickly gotten back to the player who helped Notre Dame get to the championship game a year ago. Love dominated in Notre Dame’s 34-24 win over USC rushing for a career-high 228 yards and a touchdown.
Love is all you need 🫶
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 20, 2025
Jeremiyah Love is the AP National Player of the Week #GoIrish☘️ | @JeremiyahLove pic.twitter.com/utSEqN6zEv
The performance earned Love the Associated Press national player of the week for Week 8. Love and the Fighting Irish next take on Boston College in Week 10 of the college football season.
Draft projection: First Round, top 10
No. 2: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington Huskies
2025 Stats: Rush Yards: 568 | TD: 12 | Yards Per Carry: 5.1 | Rec: 23 | Rec Yards: 284
After getting off to a dominant start, Jonah Coleman and the Washington Huskies running game has hit a bit of a wall. That was highlighted on Saturday in the team’s 24-7 loss to the Michigan Wolverines. Coleman rushed for just 50 yards on 16 carries, but did have a touchdown to add to his 12 touchdowns on the season. Despite the rushing woes, Coleman is still one of the top running backs in the nation. Through Week 8, the 5-foot-9, 228-pound back has 568 yards on 112 carries and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also has 23 receptions for 284 yards showcasing his dual threat ability.
Can Coleman get his mojo back? He will answer that question when the Huskies take on Illinois in a matchup of two 5-2 teams.
Draft projection: Second Round
No. 3: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan Wolverines
2025 Stats: Rush Yards: 705 | TD: 8 | Yards Per Carry: 6.7 | Rec: 10 | Rec Yards: 31
Justice Haynes has been one of the most impactful running backs in the nation rushing for 705 yards and 8 touchdowns for Michigan. Sidelined due to an abdominal injury in the Wolverine’s 24-7 win over Washington, Haynes is expected to practice this week and could return in the big rivalry matchup against Michigan State in Week 9. With 383 yards after contact and 21 forced missed tackles, Haynes is a running back most NFL teams will have to watch due to his running style and explosive nature.
Draft projection: Second-Third Round
No. 4: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State Nittany Lions
2025 Stats: Rush Yards: 612 | TD: 9 | Yards Per Carry: 5.2 | Rec: 10 | Rec Yards: 33
This hasn’t been the season many have expected for Penn State. Not only have they fallen out of college football playoff contention, but they have also lost starting quarterback Drew Allar for the season. A player who has stepped up offensively is Kaytron Allen. The 5-foot-11, 217-pound running back is coming off a 145-yard rushing performance in a 25-24 loss to Iowa and continues to rush with force despite his team’s 3-4 record. In all, Allen has 98 carries for 612 yards and 9 touchdowns in taking over top back status from teammate Nicholas Singleton.
Allen and the Nittany Lions have a big matchup against undefeated Ohio State on 11/1. Can Penn State slide into the role of upset kings the rest of the season? If they do, it will be due to the Allen and his explosiveness on the ground.
5. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
2025 Stats: Rush Yards: 539 | TD: 8 | Yards Per Carry: 7.8| Rec: 16 | Rec Yards: 73
Demond Claiborne has been one of the most explosive running backs in the nation. The Wake Forest star is coming off a 144-yard rushing performance against Oregon State. Claiborne has proved he can score from anywhere on the field with longs this season of 86 yards in the team’s 42-10 win over Western Carolina University and 66 yards in the 39-14 victory over Oregon State.
🏆 ACC POTW: RB — Demond Claiborne
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 9, 2025
💥 193 yards & 3 TDs
💥 First FBS player this year with 190+ & 3+ rushing TDs
💥 85-yard TD (longest by Wake since 2019)
💥 19.3 YPC — 3rd-best in school history@WakeFB | @DemonDeacons | #GoDeacs pic.twitter.com/K0zxw2CvyZ
As a shifty runner with great vision, Claiborne should be on the radar for many NFL teams, especially with his home-run potential and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Claiborne and Wake Forest next take on SMU in a Week 9 matchup. Can the exciting running back put together back-to-back big games for the first time this season?
Draft projection: Fourth Round