College News & Analysis

College Football: 10 highest-graded running backs ahead of Week 12

2RYERPB ATLANTA, GA ? SEPTEMBER 30: Bowling Green running back Terion Stewart (4) scores a touchdown during the college football game between the Bowling Green Falcons and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on September 30th, 2023 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

• Bowling Green's Terion Stewart at No. 1: The 5-foot-9 sophomore has forced 75 missed tackles through nine games, with 20 of those forced missed tackles coming in his Week 7 game against Buffalo.

• Texas' Jonathon Brooks cracks the top 10: Brooks ranks top-seven in the nation in both rushing yards (1,135) and missed tackles forced (63).

• Dig into the numbers for yourself: PFF's Premium Stats is the most in-depth collection of NFL and NCAA player performance data. Subscribe today to get full access!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

T-1. Terion Stewart, Bowling Green Falcons

PFF rushing grade: 93.1
Rush attempts: 124

If you want to watch a running back break tackles with ease, look no further. The 5-foot-9 sophomore has forced 75 missed tackles through nine games, with 20 of those forced missed tackles coming in his Week 7 game against Buffalo.

There's no wonder why Stewart's 0.60 missed tackles forced per attempt ranks first among the nation's running backs through Week 11.


T-1. Kairee Robinson, San Jose State Spartans

PFF rushing grade: 93.1
Rush attempts: 130

Robinson has scored 15 rushing touchdowns, second-most in the country through Week 11. He is one of the few players who have scored in every single game this fall.

The fifth-year senior ranks 15th in the nation in carries of 10-plus yards (30) and carries that have resulted in either a first down or touchdown (51).


T-3. Jordan James, Oregon Ducks

PFF rushing grade: 92.5
Rush attempts: 78

The Oregon Ducks have quite the running back room, with their top two backs each scoring at least nine touchdowns on the year. James may get the lighter workload of the two, but he is just as effective. He even averages more yards per carry at 7.4, which ranks sixth in the nation.

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T-3. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina Tar Heels

PFF rushing grade: 92.5
Rush attempts: 206

Hampton is the nation's leader in yards after contact (830) and ranks second in the FBS in total rushing yards (1,234). He's either scored or moved the chains on 69 carries, the second-best mark in the nation.

5. Jonah Coleman, Arizona Wildcats

PFF rushing grade: 92.2
Rush attempts: 103

Coleman is averaging an astonishing 5.40 yards after contact per attempt, the best mark in the country. The sophomore back recorded all three of his touchdowns in the same game against Washington State, a game in which he also broke eight tackles.


6. Ray Davis, Kentucky Wildcats

PFF rushing grade: 91.5
Rush attempts: 159

In his Week 5 game against Florida, Davis racked up 280 yards, 216 yards after contact and three touchdowns to earn an elite 91.4 PFF grade. Davis is currently the seventh-ranked running back on our big board.

7. Jonathon Brooks, Texas Longhorns

PFF rushing grade: 91.3
Rush attempts: 187

It must be nice to go from Bijan Robinson to Jonathon Brooks in one year — this is the second year in a row that the highest-ranked running back on PFF's big board has hailed from Texas. Brooks has stepped up tremendously, ranking top-seven in the nation in both rushing yards (1,135) and missed tackles forced (63).

Unfortunately, Brooks tore his ACL last Saturday and will miss the rest of the season.


8. Audric Estime, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

PFF rushing grade: 91.2
Rush attempts: 162

The 5-foot-11, 227-pound Estime runs with purpose and bounces off tacklers. He's forced 45 missed tackles across 162 rush attempts and ranks 10th in the FBS in yards after contact (671).

9. Bucky Irving, Oregon Ducks

PFF rushing grade: 90.7
Rush attempts: 138

Irving gets the heavier workload for Oregon and is indeed the higher-ranked draft prospect. He’s one of the most exciting backs to watch simply because of how violently he runs with the football. He is as shifty as it gets, with his 48 missed tackles forced ranking 16th in the nation.

10. Jawhar Jordan, Louisville Cardinals

PFF rushing grade: 90.5
Rush attempts: 141

Jordan is carrying the load for the Cardinals offense, accounting for nearly 30% of the team’s total yards from scrimmage and 30% of their touchdowns. Jordan's 6.9 yards per rush attempt ranks 12th in the FBS.

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