College Football's Pre-Spring Rankings: Top 10 Running Backs for 2026
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With six of the nation’s top 10 rushers returning, the 2026 college football season is loaded with proven talent at the running back position. Headlining the list of stars in the backfield are two from the SEC. Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss‘ Kewan Lacy take the top two spots in the early top-10 running backs for ’26.
However, the gap between Hardy and Lacy and the other names in the top 10 is small. Caleb Hawkins transferred to Oklahoma State after a standout season at North Texas and should immediately become one of the Big 12‘s top playmakers. Louisville’s Isaac Brown is poised to return as one of the nation’s top rushers with a full offseason to heal from a leg injury suffered during the ’25 campaign. Florida’s Jadan Baugh is another name that could challenge for No. 1, especially with new coach Jon Sumrall adding one of the top offensive play-callers in the nation in Buster Faulkner.
With spring practice underway or coming soon for all 138 teams, Athlon Sports ranks the top 10 running backs returning in college football for 2026. Keep in mind, this list will change several times during the offseason with names moving up and down based on spring performance, offseason evaluation, and other factors before the start of next year.
College Football’s Pre-Spring Rankings: Top 10 Running Backs for 2026
The Next Tier: DeSean Bishop, Tennessee; Wayne Knight, UCLA; Darius Taylor, Minnesota; Evan Dickens, Boston College; Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame; Malachi Hosley, Georgia Tech; Hollywood Smothers, Texas; Raleek Brown, Texas; Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech; Nate Sheppard, Duke; Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech; Nate Frazier, Georgia; Jordan Marshall, Michigan
10. Bo Jackson, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins left big shoes to fill in Ohio State’s backfield last season. However, Jackson quickly emerged from a crowded competition as the Buckeyes’ best option and finished with 1,090 yards and six touchdowns. The former four-star prospect should be even better in ‘26.
9. Cam Cook, West Virginia
Cook led the FBS in rushing yardage (1,659) and yards per game on the ground (127.6) at Jacksonville State last season. The Texas native should be a strong fit for coach Rich Rodriguez’s offense and marks a return to the power conference ranks. Cook previously spent two seasons at TCU (2023-24) and ran for 518 yards over 135 carries.
8. Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
With quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis departing, Raymond will shoulder even more of the offensive workload for coach Greg Schiano in ‘26. In his first season as the go-to back for the Scarlet Knights, Raymond successfully filled the void left behind by Kyle Monangai’s departure to the NFL. Over 12 games, he ran for 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns and added 18 catches for 225 yards. Raymond also tied for first in the Big Ten with 36 runs of 10-plus yards.
7. Mark Fletcher, Miami
Fletcher’s play was a driving force in Miami’s run to the national championship game. The Florida native finished ‘25 with 1,192 yards and 12 rushing scores, with a good chunk of the damage coming in the playoff. Fletcher ran for 172 yards against Texas A&M, 90 versus Ohio State, posted 133 against Ole Miss, and recorded 112 yards and two touchdowns versus Indiana in the national championship.
6. LJ Martin, BYU
A shoulder injury will sideline Martin this spring, but the Texas native is expected to be at full strength in time for the ‘26 opener. Martin has led BYU in rushing yardage in each of the last three years, including a 1,305-yard campaign in ‘25. He also added 36 receptions for 255 yards last fall.
5. Jadan Baugh, Florida
After rushing for 673 yards and seven scores as a freshman in ‘24, Baugh was even better last year. The Georgia native was the centerpiece of Florida’s offense, running for 1,170 yards and eight scores. He also added 33 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Baugh’s 1,170 yards marked the first 1,000-yard season for the Gators since Kelvin Taylor eclipsed that mark in ‘15.
4. Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
Hawkins followed coach Eric Morris and quarterback Drew Mestemaker to Oklahoma State after a breakout freshman season at North Texas. In 13 games with the Mean Green, Hawkins ran for 1,434 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was also a key cog in the passing attack with 32 receptions for 370 yards and four scores.
3. Isaac Brown, Louisville
Injuries robbed Brown of an opportunity to follow up a standout freshman season (1,173 yards and 11 touchdowns) with an even better sophomore campaign. The Florida native still averaged 8.8 yards per carry over nine contests but was held to 884 yards and seven scores. Brown has also accumulated 43 catches over the last two seasons.
2. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
Lacy delivered a breakout campaign in his debut with the Rebels and was a key cog in Ole Miss’ deep playoff run. The Missouri transfer toted the rock 306 times (most by a player in college football last season) for 1,567 yards and 24 scores. Lacy topped the 100-yard mark seven times, including a 224-yard effort against Florida on Nov. 15.
1. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
Hardy transferred to Missouri after a standout freshman season at ULM in ‘24. The Mississippi native didn’t miss a beat in the SEC last season, leading the conference with 1,649 yards on the ground and averaging 126.9 rushing yards a contest. Hardy scored 16 times on the ground and also compiled 1,181 yards after contact (per PFF) last fall.
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Related: College Football’s Pre-Spring Rankings: Top 10 Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2026
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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