Beyond Jeanty: Under-the-Radar Running Backs to Watch in the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL season saw a resurgence of the running back position, with established stars like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry having stellar years after joining new teams. As the league increasingly values versatile and explosive backs, the 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a goldmine for teams seeking to bolster their ground game. While Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty has garnered significant attention as a potential first-round pick, a stable of talented, yet under-the-radar running backs are poised to make a splash at the next level.
The Jeanty Factor: A Star at the Forefront
Before diving into the underdogs, it’s important to acknowledge the impact of Ashton Jeanty on this year’s running back class. Some analysts are calling Jeanty the best running back prospect they’ve scouted in the last decade, even better than Ezekiel Elliott. Jeanty’s compact build (5’8 1/2″, 211 lbs) belies his explosive power and exceptional balance. In 2024, he led the NCAA with 2,601 rushing yards and averaged an impressive 7.0 yards per carry. Jeanty’s ability to create yardage independently of his blocking is a highly coveted trait, drawing comparisons to Alvin Kamara and LaDainian Tomlinson. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com notes that Jeanty has the talent and skill set to become the face of an NFL offense, highlighting his potential as a future All-Pro.
Omarion Hampton: The North Carolina Powerhouse
While Jeanty is getting a lot of attention, Omarion Hampton from North Carolina is another name frequently mentioned among the top running back prospects. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 221 lbs, Hampton possesses a rare combination of size, explosiveness, and lower-body strength. Hampton is a productive slasher-type runner who excels in zone schemes. His powerful running style and ability to break tackles make him a force to be reckoned with.
TreVeyon Henderson: The Ohio State Playmaker
TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State is another running back to watch in the 2025 NFL Draft. Henderson is a dynamic playmaker with exceptional speed and agility. Henderson’s versatility extends to the passing game, where he demonstrates reliable hands and excels as a blocker in pass protection. His ability to contribute on all three downs makes him a valuable asset for any NFL team.
Quinshon Judkins: The Aggressive Runner
Quinshon Judkins, also from Ohio State, is a strong, north-to-south runner with impressive speed-to-power. Judkins is comfortable running in tight quarters, breaking tackles with a combination of agility, acceleration, and contact balance. Over his three-year career, Judkins forced 197 missed tackles. His burst allows him to steal the corner, and his 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine further solidified his athleticism.
Kaleb Johnson: Iowa’s Zone Runner
Kaleb Johnson from Iowa is a smooth operator with good speed and vision. Johnson thrives as a zone runner and routinely breaks through tackles. He runs with great tempo to the hole and gets skinny through it. Johnson amassed 1,060 rushing yards after contact in the FBS last season.
Cam Skattebo: The Toughest Runner
Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo plays the game with a massive chip on his shoulder. Skattebo has outstanding core strength and excellent balance, allowing him to break multiple tackles on a single run. He is the first FBS player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to have at least 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season.
DJ Giddens: The Breakaway Threat
DJ Giddens from Kansas State opened eyes at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.43 40-yard dash. Giddens finished No. 4 in breakaway yards and No. 2 in breakaway rate last season. Giddens, Jeanty, and Johnson were the only three backs in the country last year to average more than 4.0 yards after contact per attempt with above a 50% breakaway rate.
Dylan Sampson: The Touchdown Machine
Dylan Sampson from Tennessee earned Associated Press All-American honors in 2024. He set a school record with 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024, ranking fourth in the FBS. Sampson also set school records with 1,491 rushing yards and 132 points scored. Sampson became the first SEC running back to record 20+ rushing touchdowns in a season since Najee Harris in 2020.
Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks: The Versatile Pass-Catcher
Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks from USC is a versatile running back with a knack for catching passes. Marks has natural hands and can run all the routes from the backfield. Marks has the speed and athleticism to create a true mismatch and routinely beat linebackers in coverage. Once he has the ball in his hands, Marks turns into a dynamic playmaker who will slip past defenders with ease.
Montrell Johnson Jr.: The Solid All-Around Back
Montrell Johnson Jr. from Florida is a running back with good size and speed. He has solid patience and good vision. He is capable of using a jump cut to get to the correct gap and can get skinny to fit through small holes. He has good speed and will lower his shoulder on the second level. As a receiver, he showed good hands, can adjust around his frame, and can create after the catch.
Corey Kiner: The Awareness and Toughness
Corey Kiner from Cincinnati is an average athlete, but his awareness and toughness make him a running back coach’s dream. He has a complete rushing skillset and already plays the game at a professional level. He has absurd power and contact balance for a 208-pound back, routinely lowering his shoulder and steamrolling linebackers in the open field.
Damien Martinez: The Physical Runner
Damien Martinez from Miami is a physical runner with the ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact. Martinez runs a 4.51 40-time. All three years in college he’s rushing for nearly a thousand total yards on very limited carries, averaging nearly seven yards per carry.
Devin Neal: The Explosive Playmaker
Devin Neal out of Kansas is an explosive playmaker with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. At the NFL combine runs a 4.58 40-time. His short area quickness his burst his jumps to the combine in the 83rd percentile.
The Depth of the 2025 Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft boasts a remarkable depth of talent at the running back position. Beyond the headliners, several other backs possess intriguing skill sets that could translate to success at the next level. Bhayshul Tuten from Virginia Tech, RJ Harvey from UCF, and Devin Neal from Kansas are just a few names to keep an eye on as the draft approaches.
With the NFL trending towards a more balanced offensive approach, these under-the-radar running backs offer teams a chance to find valuable contributors who can excel in various roles. As the draft process unfolds, expect these players to rise up the boards and potentially become key pieces for their respective teams.