The running backs returning to school next year in my opinion is top notch. If a position is going to knock the quarterback off the Heisman pedestal it is going to be a running back. This list was very difficult to make as I could name 15-20 different running backs that could be on this list. Below are my Top 5 returning running backs for the 2023-2024 season. (P.S.A. it’s actually 7)
The first running back on my list is someone who I think is going to take a massive leap this season, which is saying something because he rocketed onto the scene last season. That running back is “Rocket” Raheim Sanders. Sanders, who earned the nickname Rocket by one of his coaches after he took an outside run for a touchdown, is a massive running back standing at 6-2 and weighing in at 227. While he may tower over some with that stature he plays like he’s much smaller. The fluidity that Sanders plays with is incredible, and the way he can change direction is literally a cheat code. Sanders led the Razorbacks in rushing with 1443 yards and 10 touchdowns. With KJ Jefferson returning I believe that Sanders has the potential for an even bigger role next season as many scouts want to see Jefferson focus on passing more than rushing. I believe that Sanders will be RB1 all season and may even finish next year with a trip to New York.
The second running back on the list is actually one of the top returning rushers from last year, and just transferred to a Power 5 school. A lot of people may have never heard of this back but I expect big things from him on a bigger stage and that running back is Carson Steele. Steele played for Ball State last year and rushed for almost 1600 yards and topped it off with 14 touchdowns. Steele is a real shifty running back and can make a play at any second because of it, but what really sets him apart is he can also run for power. This was evident against Toledo last year when he rushed for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns. The true question will be if he can carry over this success to the PAC-12 when he plays for UCLA. Teaming with Colin Scheele I expect UCLA to make a strong push for the conference title and either finish in the playoffs or the Rose Bowl.
My next running back is actually a tandem, not just any tandem but one that finished with close to 2500 yards and 25 touchdowns. This tandem is Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards of the University of Michigan. Corum really took a leap last season and almost doubled his total from the year prior. Corum is the lightning of this duo, as he is able to squeeze through any hole and next thing you know he is 30 yards down the field and there’s no way to catch him. I truly believe that if he had not dealt with injuries towards the end of the season he would have been invited to New York. His running partner is Donovan Edwards. Edwards really took advantage of his increased role in the offense rushing for almost 1000 yards and adding 7 touchdowns. Edwards, who is the thunder, really has a knack for breaking tackles and powering his way into the endzone. Behind the reigning Joe Moore Award winning offensive line I wouldn’t be surprised if both of these backs finish with over 1000 yards rushing and double digits touchdowns.
I have a second tandem on my list and coincidentally it is from the rival of the previous backs. This next tandem is TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams from Ohio State. While I personally think these running backs are carbon copies of each other I still believe that they are some of the best in the country. TreVeyon burst onto the scene as a freshman when he averaged almost 7 yards per carry and finished with 1300 yards and 15 touchdowns. Last year due to injuries he took a step back and only averaged 5.3 yards per carry and finished with 571 yards and 6 touchdowns. With TreVeyon being injured it allowed Miyan Williams to step up and he did not disappoint. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 825 yards and 14 touchdowns. With both backs healthy Ohio State easily has two top 50 prospects in next year’s draft. I truly believe that with uncertainty at Quarterback that the Buckeyes will ride the legs of these 2 backs to an undefeated season and a College Football Playoff berth once again.
The final running back on the list comes from what I personally think is RBU, as they continuously produce running backs. This back is Braelon Allen out of Wisconsin. Allen is a machine when it comes to running. He has such a thick frame that it is impossible to tackle him one-on-one and if you try, you’re shortening your career. Over the last 2 seasons Allen has averaged 1300 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he continues with those numbers he will be in the top 10 in school history for both stats, with the likes of Melvin Gordon, James White, and Jonathan Taylor. With an “average” season from Allen I think that he will be one of the best running backs to ever play for this school. The true question will be how he fits in in Luke Fickel’s offense. Last year at Cincinnati, Fickel didn’t have a back finish in the top 50 rushers.
Other Backs to Watch: Will Shipley (Clemson), Frank Gore Jr. (Southern Miss), Trevor Etienne (Florida), Nick Singleton (Penn State), Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
