As prominent as the pass has become, the running game still matters in college football. Look no further than the fact that eight of the 12 teams in the 2025 College Football Playoff — including all four semifinalists — finished in the top third of the FBS in rushing success rate, according to TruMedia.
Having a good running game counts, and quality running backs are needed for that. They can also be a relatively scarce commodity in the transfer portal. As one general manager told The Athletic, “most teams use at least two backs regularly, and there aren’t 272 good running backs out there.”
We won’t rank that many, but instead rank the top 20 who transferred this offseason, taking into account players’ abilities, resumes and the impact they could make with their new teams in 2026.
Note: MPH numbers are from SportSource Analytics and Tracking Football.
1. Caleb Hawkins, North Texas → Oklahoma State
Height/weight: 6-0/219
Years remaining: 3
Key 2025 stats: 231 attempts, 1,434 yards, 25 TD; 32 receptions, 370 yards, 4 TD
What you should know: Hawkins is a big, physical, downhill back. He dazzled as a true freshman when the Mean Green simply gave him the ball and let him work in between the tackles. He was one of the nation’s most productive backs, leading the FBS in touchdown runs and finishing fifth in rushing yards. And he averaged 4.57 yards per rush after first contact, 10th-best in the FBS, per TruMedia. He should enjoy a smooth transition to the Big 12, especially surrounded by so many of his former North Texas teammates and coaches in Stillwater. “He’s going to come in and be one of the best running backs in the Big 12 on Day 1,” a Group of 6 general manager said.
This play by Caleb Hawkins received the highest possible grade in PFF’s system (+2).
Oklahoma State’s newest star tailback is my #3 RB in college football entering 2026.
pic.twitter.com/OV3NAC2yeA
— Max Chadwick (@CFBMaxChadwick) February 23, 2026
2. Hollywood Smothers, NC State → Texas
Height/weight: 5-11/195
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 160 attempts, 939 yards, 6 TD; 37 receptions, 189 yards, 1 TD
What you should know: The 2025 first-team All-ACC pick brings a diverse skill set to Austin. He’s quick and shifty, with the vision and elusiveness to find yards between the tackles but the speed and acceleration to quickly get to the outside and eat up chunks of yardage. He’s also a capable receiver — his 37 receptions last year were tied for 10th-most among FBS running backs. His four rushes of 50-plus yards in 2025 were tied for third-most among running backs. That kind of explosiveness is something Texas’ run game lacked last year, and injecting it into Steve Sarkisian’s offense will go a long way toward making the Longhorns more productive and dangerous.
3. Raleek Brown, Arizona State → Texas
Height/weight: 5-9/191
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 186 attempts, 1,141 yards, 4 TD; 34 receptions, 239 yards, 2 TD
What you should know: Brown, like Smothers, is a terrific combination of speed and versatility. He was the fastest running back in the 2026 transfer portal (Brown’s 2025 peak was 22.88 mph), and how Arizona State used him offers a hint at how the Longhorns will utilize both Brown and Smothers. Brown lined up not only in the backfield, but at slot receiver and outside receiver, plus he returned punts and kicks on special teams. Texas’ transfer pair adds real juice to the offense: The two fastest RBs in the Power 4 last season, based on the average of their top five speed recordings in 2025 games, were Brown (21.76 mph) and Smothers (21.47 mph).
4. Justice Haynes, Michigan → Georgia Tech
Height/weight: 5-11/210
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 121 attempts, 857 yards, 10 TD
Haynes was constructing a terrific 2025 season, with six 100-plus-yard rushing performances in his first seven games, before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. A fully healthy Haynes should make a massive impact on Georgia Tech’s 2026 offense. He excels between the tackles, can bounce it outside, quickly accelerates to run away from defenders and has the physicality to avoid going down on first contact.
5. Adam Mohammed, Washington → Cal
Height/weight: 6-0/220
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 106 attempts, 523 yards, 5 TD; 17 receptions, 138 yards
What you should know: Mohammed showed a ton of promise in his second year with the Huskies behind Jonah Coleman. He is a do-it-all back who can run, catch and return kicks. He runs with power and purpose and was expected to take the lead running back role at Washington in 2026 before he hit the portal. He’ll be the primary back now for Cal, filling an area of need for the Bears after the departures of Kendrick Raphael and LJ Johnson Jr.
6. Quintrevion Wisner, Texas → Florida State
Height/weight: 6-0/201
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 131 attempts, 597 yards, 3 TD; 22 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD
What you should know: It wasn’t that long ago that Wisner was the SEC’s third-leading rusher (he led Texas with 1,064 rushing yards in 2024). His 2025 follow-up was underwhelming in part because he was banged up (he missed three games and wasn’t 100 percent for some others) and played behind an offensive line that underperformed early and took a while to jell. But as he showed in the regular-season finale against Texas A&M (19 rushes, 155 yards), he’s a smart, shifty runner.
7. Cam Cook, Jacksonville State → West Virginia
Height/weight: 5-9/202
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 295 attempts, 1,659 yards, 16 TD; 30 receptions, 286 yards
What you should know: Cook, a third-team Associated Press All-American, led the FBS in rushing yards last season and helped lift the Gamecocks to an appearance in the Conference USA title game. Now he is moving back to the Big 12, where he began his career (Cook originally signed with TCU and spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons there). He is a first down waiting to happen: He led the nation with 53 rushes of 10 or more yards in 2025, according to TruMedia. He’ll be surrounded by some familiar faces, too: Two of his Jax State offensive line teammates — Cam Griffin and Amare Grayson — and former Jax State offensive line coach Rick Trickett all made the move to Morgantown, as well.
8. Wayne Knight, James Madison → UCLA
Height/weight: 5-7/190
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 207 attempts, 1,373 yards, 9 TD; 40 receptions, 397 yards, 1 TD
What you should know: The Bruins needed an injection of production into the running game, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava served as UCLA’s leading rusher and no Bruin back reached 400 rushing yards. Enter Knight, a second-team AP All-American who popped off for more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage. He has real burst, is hard to bring down and averaged 6.6 yards per rush, 12th-best in the FBS. Knight is one of 10 former JMU players to follow Bob Chesney to Westwood, and arguably the most important.
WAYNE KNIGHT UP THE MIDDLE, AND HE IS GONE ‼️#GoDukes | @Wayneknight25 pic.twitter.com/Lfi2Ru46gn
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) November 22, 2025
9. Carson Hansen, Iowa State → Penn State
Height/weight: 6-2/220
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 188 attempts, 952 yards, 6 TD; 19 receptions, 134 yards
What you should know: Hansen is one of the nearly two dozen Cyclones who followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, and he will serve as a key cog in the offense, just as he did in Ames. He led Iowa State in rushing each of the past two seasons and proved to be a workhorse, carrying the ball 16 times or more in eight of the 11 games he played, including 22-plus in the last three. He finished 2025 with five consecutive 100-yard games, and though he’s not a home run hitter, his toughness, physicality and persistence enable him to consistently move the chains. Hansen should make a solid pairing with James Peoples, a transfer from Ohio State who is joining him in the Penn State backfield and will serve as the lightning to Hansen’s thunder.
10. Bryson Washington, Baylor → Auburn
Height/weight: 6-0/216
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 154 attempts, 788 yards, 6 TD
What you should know: Washington burst onto the scene in 2024 as Baylor’s leading rusher, with 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. He had three 100-yard performances in his first four games of 2025 but was banged up for portions of the season and saw his carry totals dip as a result. He has a physical, relentless running style and doesn’t shy away from contact, often picking up extra yardage after the fact. With Auburn’s running back depth — the Tigers return 2025 leading rusher Jeremiah Cobb and also signed transfers Nykahi Davenport (USF) and Tae Meadows (Troy) — Washington won’t have to carry an overwhelming workload.
11. Turbo Richard, Boston College → Indiana
Height/weight: 5-9/204
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 145 attempts, 749 yards, 9 TD; 30 receptions, 213 yards, 2 TD
What you should know: Richard is a stocky, versatile and tough back. His strong lower body makes it a chore to bring him down and makes him a strong short-yardage option. He also proved to be an effective weapon as a pass catcher for BC last year. It’s not hard to picture Richard thriving at Indiana, where he’ll be surrounded by more talent.
12. Makhi Frazier, Michigan State → Ole Miss
Height/weight: 5-10/225
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 116 attempts, 520 yards, 2 TD
What you should know: Frazier led the Spartans in rushing last season and is one of three transfers Ole Miss added at the position to support returning star Kewan Lacy. He should be more than up to the task. Frazier is a smooth, elusive back with good contact balance who picks up steam quickly. He should be a strong complement to Lacy in the Rebels’ backfield.
Makhi Frazier with the 49-YD gain for @MSU_Football!
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/Tx6icveTTp
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 26, 2025
13. Abu Sama III, Iowa State → Wisconsin
Height/weight: 5-11/211
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 140 attempts, 732 yards, 5 TD.
What you should know: Despite sharing a backfield with Hansen, Sama received plenty of work and did a lot with it. In three seasons, he has compiled 1,933 rushing yards and averaged 5.6 yards per rush. He hits holes quickly and has good vision and burst. Sama also has no problem putting his head down and grinding out the tough yardage. Pairing him with new Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph, who is a dynamic runner, should only open running lanes further for him in Madison.
14. Jahiem White, West Virginia → North Texas
Height/weight: 5-7/187
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 24 attempts, 133 yards, 3 TD
What you should know: White was off to a promising start before his 2025 season was cut short by a knee injury in a Week 2 loss to Ohio. Going into last season, he was a preseason All-Big 12 pick and had turned in 2,052 yards from scrimmage combined in his first two seasons. White is a small but speedy and slippery runner who is difficult to corral. He reunites with his former head coach, Neal Brown, and position coach, Chad Scott, at North Texas, where — if healthy — White should shine in the American.
15. CJ Baxter, Texas → Kentucky
Height/weight: 6-1/230
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 54 attempts, 196 yards; 12 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD
What you should know: Baxter was a Day 1 starter at Texas as a true freshman and displayed enticing potential, but injuries have disrupted his last two seasons. He missed all of 2024 with a knee injury and missed four games in the middle of the 2025 season. But even when he played, his workload was lighter than in 2023. Kentucky is betting on a healthier, reinvigorated Baxter, two years removed from knee surgery. If he can recapture his original form, he’ll be a steal for Will Stein’s Wildcats.
16. Cam Edwards, UConn → Michigan State
Height/weight: 5-11/206
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 210 attempts, 1,240 yards, 15 TD; 19 receptions, 187 yards, 1 TD
What you should know: Edwards is an explosive runner who runs strong, blowing through arm tackles with relative ease. He increased his production throughout his UConn career, rushing for 618 yards in 2023 and 830 yards in 2024 before notching his career high last year. He also saw his yards per rush tick up each of those years and hit 5.9 per attempt last season. He figures to be a key cog in the rebuilt running game for the Spartans.
17. Makhi Hughes, Oregon → Houston
Height/weight: 6-0/210
Years remaining: 1
Key 2025 stats: 17 attempts, 70 yards
What you should know: A year ago, Hughes was considered the top running back in the portal and a prize acquisition for Oregon. At Tulane, he rushed for 1,378 yards in 2023 and 1,401 yards in 2024, totaling 22 rushing touchdowns. But he got lost in the shuffle in Eugene and didn’t see the field much. Reuniting with the staff he thrived under makes plenty of sense here. Willie Fritz, who turned Houston around in his second year, has a void to fill in the backfield with the departure of Dean Connors. Hughes feels like a perfect fit, especially since he’ll play for the same offensive coordinator he did in 2023 (Slade Nagle).
18. James Peoples, Ohio State → Penn State
Height/weight: 5-10/210
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 61 attempts, 344 yards, 3 TD
What you should know: Peoples was the Buckeyes’ third-leading rusher in 2025 but should see more opportunity at Penn State and get a workload similar to what Sama did next to Hansen at Iowa State. Peoples averaged a solid 5.6 yards per rush, second-best among Ohio State’s running backs last year. If he can extrapolate that production across increased carries, a 700-plus yard season as the No. 2 back isn’t out of the question.
19. Christian Clark, Texas → South Carolina
Height/weight: 6-0/212
Years remaining: 3
Key 2025 stats: 55 attempts, 236 yards, 2 TD
What you should know: Clark’s a tough, decisive runner who can scoot. He missed his true freshman season with an injury and was part of a crowded depth chart at Texas last year. But he showed promise in his lone start, in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. He racked up 105 yards on 20 carries, providing a hint of what could be on the horizon for him in an expanded role as he joins LaNorris Sellers and new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles at South Carolina.
20. Dylan Edwards, Kansas State → Kansas
Height/weight: 5-9/175
Years remaining: 2
Key 2025 stats: 34 attempts, 205 yards, 2 TD.
What you should know: Can Edwards finally put it all together? He showed electric potential in his college debut against TCU back in 2023 and, though he has flashed that ability at times since — he ran for 166 yards in a win over UCF last year — he hasn’t been able to find consistency. He battled through injuries in his short time at K-State and eventually left the team in November. But the talent is still there. He’s still a speedy, elusive runner who can be used in the running game, in the passing game and on special teams. He’s the kind of weapon who offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki should be able to utilize in a major way.