At midseason, we released our Top 10 college football running backs. Now that the regular season is complete, it is time to revisit that list and see who rose, who held steady, and who slipped. With no dominant quarterback this year, a running back winning the Heisman is at least on the table, even if still unlikely. History even gives them a small boost, because every season ending in a 5 has produced a running back Heisman winner.
1. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
Midseason pick at this spot: Ahmad Hardy (Missouri)
Love takes over No. 1 after a phenomenal year as one of the most complete players in the country. He should receive a Heisman invite, and Mel Kiper currently ranks him as the top RB in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has been the engine of Notre Dame’s offense from start to finish.
2. Ahmad Hardy (Missouri)
Midseason pick: Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
Hardy continues to excel, leading the SEC with 1,560 yards. His drop to No. 2 is mostly due to inconsistent production against top defenses, especially with Mizzou lacking a threatening passing game. When defenses keyed on him, the results dipped, but he still delivered massive performances, including a 300-yard explosion against Mississippi State.
3. Emmett Johnson (Rutgers)
Midseason pick: Justice Haynes (Michigan)
Johnson soared into the top three thanks to a dominant second half of the season. His 217-yard performance against Iowa pushed him to 1,451 yards on the year, and he topped 100 yards in each of the last five games. One of the country’s most underrated runners.
4. Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss)
Midseason pick: Robert Henry (UTSA)
Lacy rises after finishing with 1,279 yards and leading the SEC with 20 rushing touchdowns. He closed the season on fire, totaling 367 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games. With Ole Miss sitting at No. 6 in the CFP, Lacy played a major role in their surge.
5. LJ Martin (BYU)
Midseason pick: Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss)
Martin has BYU right on the playoff bubble at 11-1. He posted 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns, and BYU will need a big performance from him if they want to upset Texas Tech. In their first matchup, Martin was held to 35 yards, a key reason BYU quickly fell behind.
6. Antwan Raymond (Nebraska)
Midseason pick: Waymond Jordan (USC)
Raymond climbs one spot after finishing with 1,241 yards, good for 10th nationally. He carried a struggling offense all season long, highlighted by 189 yards against Penn State and 161 yards with two scores vs. Minnesota. Nebraska didn’t win much, but Raymond kept them competitive.
7. Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Midseason pick: Antwan Raymond (Nebraska)
Price’s numbers don’t stand out because he splits time with Jeremiyah Love, but he’s still one of the most talented backs in the nation. Mel Kiper ranks him as the No. 2 RB in the 2026 draft class. He also added two kickoff return touchdowns, showcasing his versatility.
8. Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
Midseason pick: Hollywood Smothers (NC State)
Allen had a slow start, in part due to Penn State’s offensive struggles, but he turned it on late. He finished sixth nationally with 1,303 rushing yards and posted 567 yards and five touchdowns over his final three games. He played a huge role in Penn State qualifying for bowl eligibility.
9. Cam Cook (Jacksonville State)
Midseason pick: Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Cook leads the entire nation with 1,581 rushing yards. The production is undeniable, but the level of competition keeps him from climbing higher. He topped 100 yards in all but two games, and even those came with totals of 75 and 77. To rank higher, he’d need to show it against stronger defenses.
10. Justice Haynes (Michigan)
Midseason pick: Bryson Washington (Baylor)
Haynes was trending upward before suffering a foot injury late in the Michigan State game on October 25. He still finished with 857 yards and two touchdowns in that game alone, but missed time knocks him down the list. If healthy, he’d almost certainly finish higher.
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