Darius Taylor isn't just a name to know in the Big Ten; he’s a name that should be at the top of every serious CFF manager’s queue. Heading into 2025, Taylor is the clear lead back for the Golden Gophers and is positioned as one of the premier running backs in the entire FBS. Taylor is a beast when it comes to yards after contact, accruing 1,317 yards since 2023. Pair that with a high-volume running approach from head coach P.J. Fleck and a nose for the endzone (12 rushing touchdowns), and you have a recipe for success.
Taylor should be considered a first-round pick in all CFF drafts, especially in PPR (points per reception) formats. He's the focal point of the Minnesota offense and possesses the talent and system to be one of the most productive fantasy running backs in the 2025 season. Do not hesitate to build your CFF roster around him.
In 2022 and 2023, Desmond Reid exploded onto the scene at Western Carolina, and after transferring to Pittsburgh in 2024, his FBS debut did not disappoint. Reid immediately established himself as a premier, all-purpose weapon in the ACC. His 183 carries for 963 rushing yards (5.3 YPC) and 5 rushing touchdowns, along with 52 receptions for 579 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns, place him in an elite group when considering all-purpose yards per game (154.91).
While he doesn’t have the largest frame (5’8", 175lbs), offensive coordinator Kade Bell knows how to get Reid into space to take advantage of his big-play ability. Reid’s proven production at the Power Four level, coupled with his versatile skillset and the offensive scheme catering to his strengths, makes him one of the most exciting and valuable players in college fantasy football for 2025.
Dylan Edwards made a good impression as a freshman at Colorado in 2023, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. In 2024, he transferred back to his home state and joined the Kansas State Wildcats to play alongside DJ Giddens. He has now had a year to integrate into the Wildcats' system and is poised to build on his solid 2024 performance. After receiving lead-back duties for the Rate Bowl, his 196-yard and 2-touchdown performance positions him for a breakout year.
Edwards is known for his vision and speed (4.35 forty-yard dash), but he also has a great deal of lower-body strength for his size (500+ lb squat). Head coach Chris Klieman’s teams are built on a strong running game and physical play, and he's shown a willingness to lean heavily on his top running backs. His endorsement of Edwards as an "every-down guy" is a strong positive signal for his fantasy value. Edwards should be a high-value target in CFF drafts for 2025.
Washington had a phenomenal 2024 freshman season and established himself as one of the elite young running backs in the FBS. He broke Baylor's freshman rushing record with 1,028 yards while averaging a solid 5.9 yards per carry. Following his surge in the final 4 games last season (624 yards, 9 TDs), there are high expectations for him heading into 2025.
Baylor returns a decent amount of talent on the offensive side of the ball, including a largely intact offensive line. This continuity should provide a productive environment for Washington to continue pushing the envelope. Washington is locked in as Baylor's lead back and should handle a significant workload in 2025.
Henderson is another one of our favorite assets, breaking the 1,000-yard threshold for the 2024 season. His efforts earned him a third-team All-MAC selection. He was particularly solid towards the end of the year and even had a decent presence in the passing game (19 receptions, 243 yards).
A combination of returning production in the offensive line, a system that favors a ground-and-pound approach (58% rush rate), and an ability to support the passing game all bode well for Henderson. He eclipsed more than 20 carries several times in 2024 and should continue to see that volume as their clear-cut lead back in 2025.
Isaac Brown didn’t just turn heads in 2024; he blew away all expectations. Brown finished the year with 1,173 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, while also putting up 30 receptions for 152 yards and another score in the passing game. As the 2024 ACC Rookie of the Year, expectations are high.
Brown and Duke Watson form a sensational one-two punch, but it’s pretty clear that the former is still the lead back. Expect Brown to see a significant workload in both the running and passing games. He is a must-target running back in nearly all college fantasy formats.
Makhi Hughes established himself as one of the premier running backs in the AAC in 2024 for Tulane, building on a strong freshman campaign. The pure volume of carries given to Hughes showcased that he is a powerful and reliable running back with excellent vision, patience, and a strong ability to break tackles.
While transferring to Oregon and thus the Big Ten presents a challenge in replicating his 2024 metrics, Hughes should still be a focal point of the Ducks' offense. Although running backs coach Ra'Shaad Samples is quoted as saying, "expect multiple guys to play a bit more," Hughes is still the Ducks' back you want to roster.
As a three-star recruit, Bryson Donelson chose to stay close to home and committed to Fresno State, despite receiving offers from Boise State, Washington State, and Boston College. He had a phenomenal freshman year, earning 6.0 yards per carry on 77 attempts following injuries in the Fresno backfield. This performance and experience have significantly increased his value during the offseason.
Donelson possesses a physical running style and has demonstrated big-play ability. With good size and speed, expect him to frequently break tackles and make it to the second level of the defense. Donelson should take the lead role and play a big part in the Fresno backfield in 2025.
After transferring to Oregon State from Colorado, Anthony Hankerson took on the lead role following the departure of Damien Martinez and an injury to Jam Griffin. Hankerson didn't look back, averaging nearly 20 carries per game and amassing 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, along with 27 receptions.
Oregon State is going through a transitional period, and the Beavers' offense will be looking for stability. Hankerson provides a reliable and productive weapon on the ground, and he will be facing one of the weaker schedules in the FBS. With a knack for finding the end zone, "Hank" should absolutely be considered a top-tier running back for the 2025 season.
Demond Claiborne was, quite literally, THE offense for the Demon Deacons last year. He amassed 1,580 all-purpose yards, gaining 1,049 on the ground and 254 through the air. He became the first Wake Forest running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since 2018.
You would be hard-pressed to find a better fantasy floor from another top-tier running back heading into this year. The coaching staff has mentioned that they plan to get Claiborne the ball more in the passing game, which can only help his fantasy output, especially in PPR formats. Despite bringing in a new play-caller in Rob Ezell, there is no reason to believe that Wake Forest won’t continue to lean on its best offensive asset in 2025.
In a rotational role at USC in 2024, Quinten Joyner still managed to produce some excellent explosive plays. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry on 63 touches while hauling in 12 receptions for 89 yards through the air. His big-play ability and long touchdown runs are why he is receiving a lot of hype this offseason.
Moving over to the Texas Tech Red Raiders for 2025, Joyner should be the primary running back. His track-like speed combined with good vision and ability to break tackles positions him to break into the RB1 conversation in most college fantasy football formats.
Explosive is probably the best word that describes Jeremiyah Love. His 2024 campaign catapulted him to the top of the list of elite running backs in the nation. With a knack for the endzone, Love racked up 1,125 yards on only 163 attempts. He also added 28 receptions for 237 yards through the air.
Love has an ideal frame for a three-down back and can break loose on any given play. Look for Notre Dame to put Love on the field early and often, as he may have one of the best cases for the Heisman from the running back pool in 2025. Do not hesitate to draft Love in the 1st or 2nd round of most college fantasy formats.
As a freshman in 2024, Ahmad Hardy was simply sensational at Louisiana-Monroe and likely won you some leagues if you had him rostered. As Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, he accumulated 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground and tacked on 8 receptions for 72 yards through the air. He was the epitome of an every-down back.
Hardy should be the lead back coming into the year for the Tigers and handle the majority of the workload. Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s zone-blocking scheme aligns well with Hardy’s running style. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect Hardy to get close to 1,000 yards on 200 attempts in 2025. He should be on rosters in every league and format as a high-end RB2.
While we saw a step back in efficiency from Jahiem White’s 2023 yards per carry, he still managed to maintain 5.7 yards per carry in 2024 while carving out a larger workload with the Mountaineers. He certainly shouldn’t be considered an elite pass-catcher, but he has good hands, catching 19 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.
There is reason to be excited as we enter this year, with the Mountaineers bringing in Rich Rodriguez as their new head coach. Rodriguez is known for his spread-option scheme, focusing heavily on the run game. Combine that with White’s speed and 35% missed tackle rate in 2024, and you have the ingredients for a top-end fantasy back.
Dylan Carson may be the next in a long line of hyper-productive fullbacks out of Air Force. Carson wrapped up his junior year with 600 yards and five touchdowns despite missing early parts of the season due to injury. During the final four games of the year, Carson amassed 447 yards and all five of his 2024 touchdowns.
Even with very few touches through the air, Carson should still be considered a high-floor running back target through volume alone. Head coach Troy Calhoun’s triple-option offense is a fantasy goldmine from a scheme perspective, and Carson should be its beneficiary. As long as Carson can stay healthy, he is a must-target for any CFF manager looking for a reliable, high-volume running back.
Sieh Bangura’s path to Ohio has looked more like a circle than a straight line. After a highly productive stint with the Bobcats in 2022 and 2023, Bangura took his talents to the Big Ten, where he was unfortunately buried on the depth chart in a deep Minnesota backfield. He’s now looking to pick up where he left off with Ohio in 2025.
Bangura didn’t return to Ohio to sit on the bench and should be considered the lead back. Expect Bangura to receive around a 40% share of the touches in 2025, running behind an offensive line that is regularly one of the best in the MAC. Bangura not only has a high fantasy floor but also a relatively high upside. Assuming he starts the year with full health, he should unquestionably be considered an RB2 for full FBS leagues.
After a shortened 2024 season due to injury at Kentucky, Chip Trayanum decided to enter the transfer portal. Moving down in competition from the SEC to the MAC is one of the many reasons Trayanum is an appealing fantasy option. His imposing size should lead to lopsided matchups against smaller defensive opponents.
The 2024 season was disappointing for the Toledo backfield, but the addition of Trayanum has reinvigorated their enthusiasm. Reports out of spring practice have him pegged as a key part of the Rockets' offensive success in 2025. His ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact should be something all fantasy managers will want on their rosters.
Nick Singleton is undoubtedly one of the most talented running backs coming into his senior season. Singleton has both home-run speed and workhorse potential. Despite sharing the backfield with another also-talented back in Kaytron Allen, Singleton’s output seemingly increased from the elevated competition in the latter part of the season and into the playoffs.
Expect that momentum to continue into the 2025 season. Penn State not only has a National Championship in its sights, but Singleton is also well-positioned to be a longshot for the Heisman Trophy. With multiple returning starters on the offensive line and Andy Kotelnicki’s creative offensive scheme, expect Singleton to frequently get the ball in space and turn those opportunities into fantasy fireworks.
Heading into the 2024 season, nearly every fantasy player was ready to crown CJ Baxter as the lead running back for the Texas Longhorns. But as football often goes, the injury bug bit the backfield hard. Just when things looked bleak, the door swung open for Tre Wisner, and he didn't just walk through it — he kicked it down. Seizing his chance, he piled up over 1,000 yards rushing and became a reliable target out of the backfield, adding another 311 yards through the air. That’s the kind of breakout performance that firmly plants a player among the SEC's best.
Wisner certainly won’t be overlooked coming into this season. With CJ Baxter still showing lingering signs of injury, one can expect Wisner to get the nod to start the season. Once he has the job, as long as he continues to build on his performance last year, head coach Steve Sarkisian would be hard-pressed not to ride the hot hand. Wisner is one running back that continues to climb the CFF draft rankings.
Although Kamari Moulton was overshadowed by a phenomenal performance by teammate Kaleb Johnson in 2024, he still left his mark on the season. Moulton managed to put up 5.6 yards per carry on 84 carries while adding 3 touchdowns to his resume. He had just enough usage to show off both his efficiency and big-play ability.
Moulton has reportedly put on 12 pounds of muscle in the offseason, putting him in a much better position to take on the workload and strengthen his efforts between the tackles. All signs point to him leading the Hawkeyes’ backfield coming into the 2025 season. Iowa’s offensive scheme is historically conservative, which bodes well for the ground game. With incoming dual-threat quarterback transfer Mark Gronowski’s rushing abilities, it could create more open lanes for Moulton this season.
An injury cut Sire Gaines's 2024 season short, leaving him with a limited amount of playing time. What he showed during that truncated time, though, was quite electric. He saw the majority of his action in the first game of the year, where he ran for 156 yards on only 20 touches. He also finished his high school career with over 3,000 rushing yards and more than 2,000 receiving yards. Needless to say, Broncos fans are excited to see what he can do with a full year under his belt.
Gaines has both the frame and the athleticism to be a top-end running back. Combine that with his speed, high football IQ, and experience as a receiving back, and you have a potential breakout candidate in the making. His health will determine how high he goes in most drafts. If reports indicate that he has returned to full health, expect his value to skyrocket.
Caden Durham started the 2024 season in a more rotational role with LSU but quickly proved to be one of the Tigers’ best playmakers. Durham rushed for 753 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns while adding 260 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving. He showcased his explosiveness in a handful of games last year and is on track to do it again as the Tigers’ lead back.
Head coach Brian Kelly has stated that they need to have a more balanced approach offensively, focusing more attention on the run game. Coming into his sophomore season, Durham looks to play a key part in that mission. Durham is another top option when looking for a dual-threat running back that can perform both on the ground and in the air. Especially in a PPR format, Durham should be considered an elite option.
The general opinion on the Washington offense is fairly elevated coming into the 2025 season, and Jonah Coleman is a key part of why. Coleman was a beast for the Huskies last year, consistently providing tough, downhill rushing success. He capped off his 2024 season with a total of 1,053 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. His physical running style and ability to break tackles made him a problem for most defenses he faced.
While Coleman is considered more of a bruiser with exceptional contact balance, he’s also an underrated receiver who is more than capable of catching the ball out of the backfield. With his extensive experience and familiarity with the scheme, expect Coleman to be the focal point of the offense. Fantasy managers should have Coleman near the top of their rankings. Draft him with confidence as an RB2 in most formats, knowing he should be one of the most predictable running back producers in 2025.
Waymond Jordan makes his way to Southern California with a solid resume and high expectations. Jordan transferred into USC from Hutchinson Community College, where he amassed 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns while helping the Blue Dragons capture a national championship.
The Trojan coaching staff has been vocal about their excitement around Jordan’s arrival on campus. Expect him to compete for a significant role in the backfield to help create balance in the USC offensive scheme. Jordan brings a combination of power, proven production, and championship pedigree to the Trojan backfield, making him a player who deserves a roster spot in every CFF league.
Antwan Raymond made an immediate impact for Rutgers in his true freshman season. He finished the 2024 season with 457 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. His potential became evident during the team’s bowl game, where he ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Needless to say, there is reason to be optimistic that Raymond will have a promising career at Rutgers.
Raymond is looking to build on his success in 2025 by leading the Scarlet Knights’ backfield. Expect him to get fed early and often in an offense that historically relies on pounding the rock. With the departure of former starter Kyle Monangai to the NFL, the door is wide open for Raymond to step into a larger role. Expectations are high for Raymond, and with his upside, he should be drafted early in most formats.
