2025 NFL Draft: Running amok?

After coming off of a slim running back class in 2024, the 2025 draft includes more runners than usual as potential first or second-round picks. Optimistically there could be as many as seven good enough to go in the first two rounds. Realistically, there could be five, still a big number for that position these days.

My favorites are Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina). All are coming off productive campaigns in 2023 and, if they declare, project to be among the top backs of the 2025 draft.

Others of note rated in the top seven RBs by NFL Draft Scout are little Ashton Jeanty (5-8, 210, Ohio State), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State), Jordan James (Oregon) and Jaydn Ott (California).

Here is link to current ratings by NFL Draft Scout on the 2025 Class

Let’s drill down into the trio I like the best.

RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State, Jr., 6-1, 211, 4.50 40 (est)

OVERVIEW

Ollie Gordon is viewed by most as the best back in the country heading into the 2024 season. His spectacular 2023 warrants that assessment after he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 TDs and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. If he can replicate or even outdo his production from last year, we could see him make a big push for being first-round next spring.

Gordon was a 4-star recruit from Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Trinity High School. Gordon earned a number of awards for his 2023 performance, such as the Doak Walker Award, unanimous All-American honors, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (Coaches & AP), Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, First-Team All-Big 12 honors (Coaches & AP), Maxwell Award semifinalist, Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist, and he finished seventh in the Heisman voting.

ANALYSIS

Strengths

Gordon has the build/frame you look for in a bell-cow back who can carry an offense. He makes quick decisions at LOS, and he has great front-side and backside vision anchored by a sneaky jump cut to avoid an initial defender. He shows quality footwork around the line and can plant and change direction in a blink. Gordon runs with satisfactory contact balance to consistently power through arm tackles, and he does a great job finishing by falling forward at the end of runs. Gordon’s deceptive long speed and acceleration can fly under the radar. Although he is a taller back, he is able to outrun a defense when finding space at the second level.

While Ollie is not a blur in space, his lateral agility and overall athleticism are satisfactory; he is able to work in space well enough to make defenders with lazy angles and technique miss him. Gordon is not the kind of receiver who will give LBs nightmares and create mismatches coming out of the backfield, but he does show soft hands and can pick up chunk yards if you don’t account for him as a check-down option.

Weaknesses

While his overall vision is good for making quick decisions, he needs to develop more patience and a better understanding of how to manipulate defenders and set up cut-back lanes when the initial lane isn’t there. Because Gordon is a taller back, he does have a tendency to run with a high pad level, which affects his leverage when bracing for a hit or attempting to roll off tackles. While serving as a valuable check-down option, he may struggle to become anything more than that; his route running and separation quickness are so-so, making it difficult for him to run complex routes effectively.

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RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, Jr., 5-11, 219, 4.52 40 (est)

OVERVIEW

Quinshon Judkins is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with 15+ plus rushing TDs as an Ole Miss Rebel. While there are concerns about whether he can be a true workhorse back at the next level, that collegiate production is undeniable and has probably helped cement his case as being the top back in the country. After transferring to Ohio State, however, Judkins now must share the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson, so it will be interesting to see how many touches he’ll get in 2024. Yet, if he produces at the level he did while at Mississippi, Judkins will generate legitimate buzz heading into next year.

Judkins was a unanimous 3-star recruit from Pike Road, AL, and was selected to the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game in high school. At Ole Miss last year, he ran for 1,158 yards on 271 carries, averaged 4.3 yards per carry, and rushed for 15 touchdowns. He earned numerous honors in 2023, including All-SEC First Team, All-SEC Second Team. He was a Conerly Trophy finalist, and landed on the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, and Doak Walker Award watch lists.

ANALYSIS

Strengths

Quinshon Judkins is a patient runner with good vision. He carries out his initial path very well and looks to get upfield to pick up yards. He is proficient in zone concepts with a feel for open lanes, and he consistently shows good decision-making. He demonstrates satisfactory footwork to open and redirect when eluding defenders around the LOS and in space.

While he is not the biggest or strongest back, Judkins is a physical runner who rolls off of tackles well and fights for every inch. Judkins has that finishing mentality that can frustrate defenders who don’t properly square him up. He has an exceptional ability to run through arm tackles and is good at finishing off runs. He is also a solid check-down receiver out of the backfield, shows reliable hands as a receiver and can pick up quality yards when he turns upfield.

Weaknesses

Judkins is a back who thrives on his vision, taking what’s available, using cutback lanes well, and manipulating defenders with hypnotic footwork. But there is really no long speed or burst when hitting the second level, as he lacks the extra gear that would make him a constant threat to beat defenders to the edge. His lateral/one-cut ability in tight space makes defenders miss, but he seems stiff below the waist and is, therefore, less able to plant and change direction effectively in open space. While he is a good check-down option, he likely won’t offer much more than that for an NFL passing game, as his separation quickness and overall route running are subpar. Being a smaller back limits Judkins in pass protection, and he is consistently outmatched against front-seven defenders.

RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, 6-0, 220, Jr., 4.44 40 (est)

OVERVIEW

Hampton burst onto the scene in 2023, but with only that one year of production, some may be skeptical of him as a legitimate prospect. With QB Drake Maye now in the NFL, we will now get a look at Hampton without a blue-chip prospect at quarterback to keep defenses honest. Hampton must prove he can be the focal point of an offense and put up similar production against the loaded boxes he will likely face in 2024.

Hampton played his high school ball at Cleveland High School in North Carolina, where he was a 4-star recruit, prior to committing to UNC. Hampton had a monster 2023 campaign, finishing with 1,504 rush yards on 253 attempts (5.9 average) and 15 rushing touchdowns. Hampton also walked away with a plethora of awards and honors after the season: Walter Camp First-Team All-American, Second-Team AFCA All-American, Second-Team AP All-American, Second-Team Sporting News All-American, Second-Team CBS Sports All-American, 2023 First-Team All-ACC and AP First-Team All-ACC. And he was a finalist for the 2023 Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s best running back.

ANALYSIS

Strengths

At 6-0, 220, Hampton is built like a mid-sized automobile and has that workhorse frame teams look for in the back. Around the LOS, he displays a blend of patience and vision. He lets lanes develop and then has a knack for finding the daylight. Hampton shows initial front-side vision and a feel for cut-back lanes. Hampton has refined footwork to alter his route at the LOS, showcasing an effective jump-cut that allows him to get to the second level.

When he does find a crease, Hampton has a burst, and he hits second gear quickly. He also shows exceptional contact balance and physicality as he bounces off defenders, leaving multiple would-be tacklers with nothing. He isn’t the most elusive in space but moves well for a man of his girth. As with Gordon and Judkins, Hampton is a reliable check-down alternative, and with his combination of speed and power, he’s tough to bring down. In pass pro, Hampton is stout and is not only willing to take on blocks but has the frame and strength to match up with linebackers and defensive linemen.

Weaknesses

He will need to become better at manipulating running lanes at the LOS; he lacks consistency in creating openings when no holes initially exist. Although Hampton shows soft hands as a pass catcher, he lacks versatility in the passing game — he is not the type of receiver who can line up in multiple spots and create mismatches.

SUMMATION

Ollie Gordon, Quinshon Judkins and Omarion Hampton are my picks as the top three running backs in college football heading into 2024. Each has his own unique set of abilities:

—Gordon is that long, lean speed back who can go the distance on any play. At this point, I think Gordon should be viewed as the top back in the country and the projected first RB taken in the next draft. While he has room to improve — lowering his pad level and playing with more physicality, for example — Gordon does have all the earmarks of an NFL franchise back.

—Judkins put together two stellar seasons. Though a bruiser between the tackles, Judkins is not a big back, and his diminutive size could limit his ability to find extended playing time, relegating him to a committee role at the next level.

—Hampton should not be slept on. With a combination of size and speed to run through or by you, he has all the makings of a workhorse back and is a guy you can lean on to carry a running game. If Hampton replicates or exceeds his 2023 season, we will have no choice but to consider putting him near the top of next year’s considerably talented running back group.

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