Running To NFL
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft is next month. We are going to take a look at some of the top running back prospects in the draft.
# 1. The top prospect is Ashton Jeanty (Boise State). Jeanty is from Jacksonville, Florida and he went to high school in Frisco, Texas.
Last season he rushed for 2,601 yards, 29 touchdowns and averaged 7 yards per carry.
In 2023 he had 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 43 catches in 2023 and 23 in 2024.
He won the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Unanimous All-American and he finished second in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting.
I think he can be picked as high as 6th by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chicago Bears are picking 10th and they could trade up to pick Jeanty.
# 2. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) should also be selected in the top 15 picks.
The North Carolina native is 6’0, 221 pounds so he has a great combination of size and speed.
He’s been a workhorse for the past two years for the Tar Heels. In 2023 he rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 TD’s. In 2024 he had 1,660 yards and 15 scores, while averaging 5.9 ypc both years.
He had 29 receptions in 2023 and 38 in 2024. He can run and catch passes out of the backfield. I don’t expect him to slip past Dallas who has the 12th pick.
# 3. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) is 6’1, 224 pounds. He rushed for 1,537 yards, 21 scores and averaged 6.4 ypc.
He also had 22 catches for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was a Consensus All-American, First-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
# 4. Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) is a Louisiana native. He’s 5’8, 200 pounds so he’s a smaller back.
Last season he ran for 1,493 yards, 22 TD’s and averaged 5.8 ypc. He also had 19 receptions for 141 yards. He was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-SEC and a Second-team All-American.
# 5. TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) split time last season with Quinshon Judkins.
The senior rushed for 1,016 yards, 10 touchdowns, 7.1 ypc and he had 27 receptions.
Henderson is 5’10 and 202 pounds. This was his first thousand-yard season since his freshman year.
# 6. Brashard Smith (SMU) is a Florida native that transferred from Miami.
He was a wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Hurricanes.
Last year he ran for 1,332 yards, 14 scores and averaged 5.7 ypc. He also caught 39 passes for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Smith is 5’10, 194 lbs. and he’s very explosive. He was named First-team All-ACC.
# 7. Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) is an Alabama native that started his career at Ole Miss.
As a freshman he rushed for 1,567 yards and 16 scores. As a sophomore he ran for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season and split carries with TreyVeon Henderson. In 2024 he had 1,060 yards, 14 touchdowns and he averaged 5.5 ypc. Judkins is 6’0, 220 pounds and he has a nice balance of speed and power.
The depth of the defensive line in this year’s draft class has been primarily what the media has focused on. The running back class has great depth. I think a player drafted in the third round or later can make an immediate impact as a rookie.
