Rivals Rankings Week: Storylines to follow with top 2025 running backs
The Rivals250 for the 2026 class has been updated and now it’s time to break down each position. We move to running back by looking at four big storylines moving forward.
NEW 2026 POSITION RANKINGS: Pro-Style QB | Dual-Threat QB | RB | All-Purpose RB
THE BEST RUNNING BACK MIGHT BE AN ATHLETE
The 2026 running back class is loaded with elite players at the position as KJ Edwards has now taken over the top spot, but Savion Hiter is right there and a bunch of high-level four-stars have emerged.
But the best running back in the class could be five-star athlete Derrek Cooper, who is listed in that position group because he can play all over the field and make an impact on both offense and defense.
Still, the Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna standout was impressive over the summer at the Rivals Five-Star and then followed that up with a big junior season against elite competition. He rushed for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns on a team that split carries.
An early commitment to Georgia only lasted days but the Bulldogs remain one of the top schools in Cooper’s recruitment along with a strong push from Miami and many others.
EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS
This could be the most loaded running back class in Texas in Rivals history dating back to 2002.
The new No. 1 running back in the class is KJ Edwards from Carthage. Javian Osborne from Forney is third on the list. Former Oklahoma commit Jonathan Hatton Jr. is sixth as Texas A&M is his new leader. Baylor commit Ryelan Morris is in the top 15.
And let’s not forget about the all-purpose back position since No. 1 Tradarian Ball is from Texarkana (Texas) Texas and he’s an early commit to Oregon. Second on the list is Davian Groce from Frisco (Texas) Lone Star and he reminds us a little bit of Oklahoma State star RB Ollie Gordon at the same stage.
This running back group in Texas has quality and quantity, and is one of the best in recent memory.
COULD MICHIGAN LOAD UP AT RUNNING BACK?
Michigan flipped five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood right before signing day and that was huge for the Wolverines, who are desperate for help at that position.
They could also be in great shape with at least two star running backs in the 2026 class as Javian Osborne has made it no secret he’s highly interested in the Wolverines and Savion Hiter has Michigan among his favorites as well.
On numerous occasions, Osborne has said Michigan is standing the highest in his recruitment although many others are involved. For Hiter, from Mineral (Va.) Louisa County, Michigan is joined by Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee at the top but the Wolverines have seemed to hold an edge.
Either way, Michigan looks very strong with a number of the top running backs in 2026 and it would be a surprise if it came up empty.
IS THERE A FIVE-STAR IN THE GROUP?
In the last six years, only five running backs have been taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.
What that tells us is that there should be a maximum of two five-star running backs per recruiting class, probably at least one but in a group where we’re not crazy about the names at the top, it’s OK to make another quarterback, offensive tackle or defensive end a five-star. If a risk should be taken, it should be taken at those spots.
But the 2026 group is absolutely loaded at running back and the more we see these guys through the offseason, my bet is that at least one – if not two – emerge in that five-star discussion.
