Each week, Keith Sanchez will bring you his updated rankings and analysis of the top running backs in college football eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. See how the top rushers rise and fall throughout the season with scouting notes on what happened last week and what to watch for going forward.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Week 2 Stats: Rushing Yards: 192 yards | Rec Yards: 8 | Touchdowns: 3
Game Analysis
In a losing effort, Ashton Jeanty put on a rare performance. In a day and age where quarterbacks are the most important position on the field in correlation to winning and losing, Jeanty, as a running back, almost single-handedly led the Broncos to an upset win over No. 8-ranked Oregon. Jeanty showcased great vision, elusiveness, and what appears to be his elite trait, contact balance. Jeanty can absorb contact from defenders, remain balanced, and keep gaining yardage. He continuously showcases as a yards-after-contact specialist, a trait that translates to the NFL. Jeanty proved early in the season that he is not only one of the best running backs in the nation but one of the best overall players in college football regardless of position.
Takeaway: Ashton Jeanty elevated himself to being a player who can take over and win games by himself at the running back position.
Current Ranking: RB2
Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Week 2 Stats: Rushing Yards: 119 yards | Rec Yards: 14 | Touchdowns: 2
Game Analysis
While most of the attention is going to his quarterback Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton is proving to be the engine behind this Penn State offense. Singleton has had back-to-back weeks of more than 100 yards rushing and has averaged 9.0 yards per carry. Singleton, listed at 6-foot and 225 pounds, is proving to talent evaluators that he has high-level traits of explosiveness and quickness that at his size could be rare. Against Bowling Greenm Singleton had an explosive run of more than 40 yards and also a receiving touchdown, proving that he is a versatile offensive player out of the backfield. Penn State has a tough schedule ahead of them, but it appears that Singleton can be a player they can lean on to win those big-time matchups.
Takeaway: Nicholas Singleton is slowly revealing to talent evaluators that he has a special set of athletic tools at his disposal and the outlook should be that he can be a featured starting running back in the NFL.
Current Ranking: RB5
Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Week 2 Stats: Rushing Yards: 208 yards | Rec Yards: 3 | Touchdowns: 3
Game Analysis
Get to know the name Kyle Monangai. Tucked away in the northeastern part of the country at Rutgers, Monangai is off to a hot start and is one of the national leaders in rushing yards. Monangai, listed at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, is not big in stature but is still a very impactful runner. Moanangai runs with good vision and his lower center of gravity helps with his ability to break tackles and make defenders miss in space. Monangai is a runner who can be effective both in between the tackles and on outside runs. Rutgers is off to a 2-0 start with a heavy slate of Big Ten schools left, and if the Scarlet Knights want to get through this gauntlet, it's going to be behind the talent of Monangai, a player who is rising up draft boards already.
Takeaway: In a deep and talented running back class, Kyle Monangai has begun to make a name for himself early on.
Current Ranking: RB9
RB Rankings After Week 2
1. Quinshon Judkins (--)
2. Ashton Jeanty (+1)
3. Omarion Hampton (-1)
4. Ollie Gordon II (--)
5. Nicholas Singleton (--)
6. Devin Neal (--)
7. Phil Mafah (--)
8. RJ Harvey (--)
9. Dylan Sampson (new)
10. Kyle Monangai (new)
(change since last week)
