The Big Ten has almost always been synonymous with a ground-and-pound style of play, so it’s no surprise the conference has produced some great running backs over the years.

There was a bit of a mass exodus at the running back position this offseason, but the cupboard isn’t totally bare. Here’s who we believe are the top five running backs in the Big Ten heading into 2026.

5. Caleb Komolafe – Northwestern

Northwestern was in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten and isn’t exactly expected to light the world on fire this year either. However, running back Caleb Komolafe was a nice bright spot for the Wildcat offense last season. As a junior in 2025, Komolafe registered 190 carries for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention in the process.

Komolafe enters 2026 not only as Northwestern’s starting running back, but also the team’s best offensive player. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him top his 190 carries from last season, perhaps getting him over the 1,000-yard mark, something that hasn’t been done by a Northwestern running back since Justin Jackson in 2017.

4. Turbo Richard – Indiana

Indiana has turned into the definitive outpost for transfer portal players in the Curt Cignetti era. After working that philosophy into a national championship in 2025, Cignetti went back to the well to bring in Turbo Richard from Boston College. Richard was one of the breakout stars at running back last year as a sophomore, running for 749 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 213 receiving yards.

Perhaps it’s because he’s coming from a low-level Power 4 program, but Richard might be coming into the Big Ten as one of the more underrated transfer portal additions due to his well-rounded skillset and ability to make plays in the passing game. He’ll be leading the backfield for the Hoosiers alongside Khobie Martin, and despite his bowling ball-like 5-foot-8, 207-pound frame, he’s got speed to burn (as you might expect with a name like Turbo) and the shiftiness to dodge defenders. He might not have the pedigree of the guys ahead of him on this list, but don’t be surprised if he out-produces any of them in 2026.

3. Jordan Marshall – Michigan

Michigan only got one year out of Justice Haynes, but the Wolverine faithful didn’t really bat an eye since Jordan Marshall is back for his junior year. Despite being the No. 2 man on the depth chart, Marshall actually got plenty of opportunities in 2025 and ended up being Michigan’s leading rusher with 932 yards and 10 touchdowns on 150 carries.

Marshall is a bruiser by nature who loves bouncing off tacklers, but when he’s got a crease, he has the speed to take it the distance. He will likely get the bulk of the carries for the Wolverines in 2026 while true freshman Savion Hiter gets his feet wet. Still, it won’t be a surprise if Marshall ends up being Michigan’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Blake Corum in 2023.

2. Bo Jackson – Ohio State

He might not be a Heisman contender or moonlight as a baseball player, but Ohio State’s Bo Jackson turned some heads as a true freshman in 2025. The Cleveland native emerged as Ohio State’s bell cow, carrying the ball 179 times for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns. He gave Michigan the business as well, rushing for a season-high 117 yards against the Wolverines to get Ohio State its first win in The Game since 2019.

Ryan Day has frequently rotated running backs, usually riding the hot hand rather than sticking with one guy. Still, Jackson enters the season with the most career production of anyone else in Ohio State’s running back room, giving him a clear runway to repeat his workload and build on his production from a year ago. If he’s able to continue his development, he could end up being one of the best backs in the country this season.

1. Antwan Raymond – Rutgers

While Rutgers hasn’t really been competitive since entering the Big Ten in 2014, the Scarlet Knights generally have a good running back with guys like Kyle Monongai, Raheem Blackshear and Isiah Pacheco being recent examples. Last year, Antwan Raymond stepped into that role and was the team’s star player, rushing for 1,241 yards on 244 carries, building on what had been an impressive freshman year in 2024 as well.

Because he’s playing for Rutgers, Raymond isn’t always going to get the shine of other running backs in the Big Ten, but he’s a true dual-threat option that is extremely tough to bring down on first contact and has breakaway speed that can flip the field. If he’s able to repeat or exceed his production from last year, he’ll be pushing to be picked in the second or third round of the 2027 NFL Draft.

Others to Watch: Wayne Knight (UCLA), Darius Taylor (Minnesota), Carsen Hansen (Penn State), King Miller (USC), Waymond Jordan (USC), Kamari Moulton (Iowa), Cam Edwards (Michigan State), Jordon Davison (Oregon), Dierre Hill Jr. (Oregon), Abu Sama III (Wisconsin)