2027 NFL Draft position rankings: Top 10 running backs before 2026 college football

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

2027 NFL Draft position rankings: Top 10 running backs before 2026 college football appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The college football season has officially started, and young players are ready to establish themselves as prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft. A year after there was minimal running back talent in the draft, NFL teams will be excited for a deeper running back class filled with stars and role players alike. So, who are the best running back prospects this season?

10. Daniel Hill, Alabama

Daniel Hill’s numbers are uninspiring through two seasons. He has just 345 career rushing yards so far. Even in a limited role, Hill has still showen big-play ability and the capability of punching the ball into the end zone. He could be one of the most improved players this season while running behind an always great Alabama offensive line.

9. Jordan Marshall

Jordan Marshall didn’t start last season as Michigan’s workhorse back, but when an injury forced him into more action; he proved himself as a legitimate prospect. With only 150 attempts, Marshall was able to rack up 932 yards. With a bigger workload, he seems likely to do so much more.

Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

The fact that Marshall doesn’t have as much wear and tear as some of the other ball carriers in this class can only help his case come draft day, too.

8. LJ Martin, BYU

With a lot of the top running back prospects hailing from powerhouse schools in the SEC, LJ Martin is somewhat of a sleeper prospect. Martin is the star of BYU’s offense and could put up huge numbers this season, though. Martin had 1,305 yards last season, and he punched the ball into the end zone 12 times.

7. Isaac Brown, Louisville

Isaac Brown has yet to be a featured back in Louisville, but he has put up crazy numbers, nonetheless. Brown’s efficiency is particularly impressive, as he averaged 7.1 yards per attempt as a freshman and 8.8 yards per attempt last season. Those marks led the ACC both seasons.

Brown is small at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, though, and he may never become more than a complementary back for that reason. His size hasn’t helped his struggles when it comes to injuries, pass blocking, and running inside the tackles. Brown certainly is a big play waiting to happen, though.

6. Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami

Mark Fletcher has teamed up with a lot of big-name players in recent years. He has received handoffs from Cam Ward and Carson Beck. His senior season will be his time to shine. Fletcher was dominant in the College Football Playoff, and he can carry that momentum this year. The 507 rushing yards Fletcher had in the CFP are the most ever.

5. Raleek Brown, Texas

Of course, the pride of Texas’ offense is Arch Manning, a quarterback vying for the Heisman Trophy and the number one pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The Longhorns have a couple other offensive stars, though, including two running backs transfers with prospect potential. Texas added both Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown to their offense in order to take the burden off Manning’s shoulders and balance out the offense.

It is unclear who will have the edge, but Brown is fresh off a 1,141-yard season with Arizona State and gets the nod over Smothers, who had 939 yards at NC State last year. Brown is a speed threat who really thrives when rushing outside of the tackles.

4. Nate Frazier, Georgia

Georgia has produced a lot of elite running backs in recent years. Nate Frazier is next in line. As a sophomore, Frazier was the lead back for Georgia, and he racked up 947 yards on the ground. Expect those numbers to increase even more as an upperclassman. Like Brown, Frazier is one of the fastest running backs in the nation. His breakaway speed is particularly impressive and could lead to a number of huge gains this season.

3. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

Ahmad Hardy was second in DI last season in rushing yards (1,649). Eleven more yards would have given the Missouri player the rushing title. Even so, he was a more efficient ball carrier (6.4 yards per carry compared to 5.6) than first-placed Cam Cook. Hardy’s elite production was enhanced by 16 scores, and he will likely put up jaw-dropping numbers again as the heart and soul of the Tigers. Hardy is a bowling ball of a ball carrier who defenders have nightmares about attempting to tackle. The concern is that Hardy has been a non-factor in the passing game, but that could be because they lean on him so heavily on the ground.

2. Jadan Baugh, Florida

Jadan Baugh had a five-touchdown game as a freshman that announced his presence to the college football world. The Florida product has only gotten better and more consistent ever since, and that should continue through the 2026 season. Baugh runs with balance and had 1,170 rushing yards last season.

1. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss

Kewan Lacy is the best running back prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft, and he projects as a potential first-round pick. The Ole Miss star burst onto the scene after transferring from Missouri. He put up 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns last season by running with vision and patience, and then using his explosiveness to make the proper cuts when holes opened up. The route running and hands need some work, but as a pure runner, it doesn’t get much better than Lacy.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos