NFL · 1 hour ago

ESPN Reveals Projections for Top Running Back Prospects Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

John Canady

Host · Writer

8) Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Seth McGowan is a bit of a wildcard, but the talent is easy to spot. He moves well in space and has the kind of natural ability that could turn into something if everything comes together at the next level. Then again, scouts seemed to be concerned about his fumbling issues, which alone could tank his draft stock this April.

BackCAST score: 25.9%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 186
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Keaontay Ingram, Javorius Allen

"McGowan made waves with his performance at the combine. He had a 42½-inch vertical jump, the second best for a running back at the combine since at least 2007. His broad jump of 10-foot-11 was also tops among this year's running backs." - Schatz
1) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Jeremiyah Love is one of the most exciting backs in this class when you turn on the tape. He’s got real juice with the ball in his hands and doesn’t need much space to turn a play into something big, which is exactly what teams are looking for right now.

BackCAST score: 89.0%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 1
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Travis Etienne Jr., Todd Gurley (but lighter)

"Love is a very good running back prospect, but BackCAST suggests that he's not generational. Although he is far ahead of the rest of this year's class, Love isn't even among the top-25 running back prospects since 1998 by BackCAST score." - Schatz
2) Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Jadarian Price is the kind of back that feels steady every time he touches it. He sees the field well, hits his lanes without hesitation, and does the little things that keep an offense moving.

BackCAST score: minus-46.4%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 71
Type of back: Ground-and-pound
Similar historical prospects: Miles Sanders, Bilal Powell

"BackCAST is fairly negative about Price. Yes, part of the reason is that Price was a smaller part of Notre Dame's running game and had only 113 carries last season. He also had six receptions for 87 yards last season. But the argument in Price's favor is that he had fewer carries in college because he was sharing a backfield with Love! The counterargument is that hyped college running back duos tend to underperform in the NFL: LenDale White and Reggie Bush, Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams, or Darren McFadden and Felix Jones." - Schatz
3) Jonah Coleman, Washington
Jonah Coleman runs with a clear edge and isn’t afraid of contact. He keeps his legs driving, falls forward, and brings a tone-setting presence that coaches tend to trust.

BackCAST score: 36.3%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 152
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Jay Ajayi, Kenneth Gainwell

"Coleman's career is interesting because his yards per carry average has dropped in each of the past two seasons, from 6.8 in 2023 (at Arizona) to 5.5 in 2024 and then 4.9 last season. However, his rushing touchdown total went up each season, from five to 10 to 15. Coleman also had an impressive 31 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 2025." - Schatz
4) Adam Randall. Clemson
Adam Randall is a bit different from the traditional running back, and that’s what makes him interesting. With his background as a receiver, he’s comfortable in space and gives offenses some flexibility in how they use him.

BackCAST score: 33.4%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 150
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Toby Gerhart, Doug Martin

"Randall is the biggest back in this year's class at 232 pounds, and he has more receiving value than usually seen from a back of his size. He's a converted wide receiver who, in some ways, is still learning how to play running back." - Schatz
5) Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Mike Washington Jr. runs low and compact, which makes him tough to bring down cleanly. Once he gets going, there’s a noticeable burst that can flip field position in a hurry.

BackCAST score: 32.2%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 89
Type of back: Ground-and-pound
Similar historical prospects: Latavius Murray, Knile Davis

"Washington ran a 4.33-second 40 at 223 pounds, which put him close to the record for Speed Score, a metric based on combining 40 time with weight (because it's more impressive to run faster when you are larger). But Washington had less college production, in part because he played at three schools (Buffalo, New Mexico State, and Arkansas). Last season, he rushed for a career-high 1,070 yards. He also has significant ball security issues, with 10 fumbles on 587 career carries." - Schatz
6) Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Nicholas Singleton looks the part of a feature back and has for a while now. When he’s decisive, everything opens up, and you can see the big-play ability that’s made him such a highly regarded prospect.

BackCAST score: 28%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 104
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Israel Abanikanda

"Singleton had better success in previous seasons, with 172 carries for 1,099 yards and 6.4 yards per carry as a junior in 2024." -Schatz
7) Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Kaytron Allen brings a more physical, workmanlike style to the position. He’s patient, finishes runs, and does a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t always show up but matters over four quarters.

BackCAST score: 21.6%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 146
Type of back: Ground-and-pound
Similar historical prospects: Tatum Bell, Onterrio Smith

"Allen was clearly the preferred back for Penn State coaches (210 carries compared to Singleton's 123) and had more yards per carry in 2025 (6.2 to 4.5)." - Schatz
8) Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Seth McGowan is a bit of a wildcard, but the talent is easy to spot. He moves well in space and has the kind of natural ability that could turn into something if everything comes together at the next level. Then again, scouts seemed to be concerned about his fumbling issues, which alone could tank his draft stock this April.

BackCAST score: 25.9%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 186
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Keaontay Ingram, Javorius Allen

"McGowan made waves with his performance at the combine. He had a 42½-inch vertical jump, the second best for a running back at the combine since at least 2007. His broad jump of 10-foot-11 was also tops among this year's running backs." - Schatz
1) Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Jeremiyah Love is one of the most exciting backs in this class when you turn on the tape. He’s got real juice with the ball in his hands and doesn’t need much space to turn a play into something big, which is exactly what teams are looking for right now.

BackCAST score: 89.0%
Scouts Inc. ranking: 1
Type of back: Balanced
Similar historical prospects: Travis Etienne Jr., Todd Gurley (but lighter)

"Love is a very good running back prospect, but BackCAST suggests that he's not generational. Although he is far ahead of the rest of this year's class, Love isn't even among the top-25 running back prospects since 1998 by BackCAST score." - Schatz

ESPN Reveals Projections for Top Running Back Prospects Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

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