ESPN Ranks The Top-10 Running Backs For The 2026 Season

ESPN writers Eli Lederman and Max Olson recently ranked the Top-10 running backs for the upcoming college football season, which featured five players from the SEC:

1. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
2. Jadan Baugh, Florida
3. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
4. Mark Fletcher Jr., Miami
5. Isaac Brown, Louisville
6. Hollywood Smothers, Texas
7. Raleek Brown, Texas
8. Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech
9. LJ Martin, BYU
10 (tie). Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
10 (tie). Nate Sheppard, Duke

Also receiving votes: Nate Frazier, Georgia; Antwan Raymond, Rutgers; Jordan Marshall, Michigan; Bo Jackson, Ohio State; Jeremiah Cobb, Auburn; DeSean Bishop, Tennessee; Waymond Jordan, USC; J'Koby Williams, Texas Tech; Turbo Richard, Indiana; Adam Mohammed, Cal; Caden Durham, LSU; Wayshawn Parker, Utah; Cam Cook, West Virginia; Dylan Riley, Boise State