Big 12 football power rankings: How TCU running backs stack up vs. rest of league
There will be a changing of the guard at running back this season in the Big 12.
The conference must replace some of the most productive rushers in its history with the likes of Cam Skattebo, Tahj Brooks and Devin Neal all pursuing their NFL dreams.
The amount of talent leaving the conference would suggest that Big 12 teams will lean more on their quarterbacks than ever, but there’s still some starpower at running back in the conference.
Here’s a look at how the running backs stack up headed into the preseason:
1. Bryson Washington, Baylor
Breakdown: Washington’s emergence down the stretch was a big reason the Bears were able to turn their season around with a six game winning streak to close the regular season. Washington rushed for over 100 yards in five of those games and finished the season with 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2. Jahiem White, West Virginia
Breakdown: White was one of the bright spots for the Mountaineers as he formed a solid rushing duo with Garrett Greene. White rushed for 845 yards and five touchdowns while splitting carries with CJ Donaldson. With Donaldson now at Ohio State, White could easily top 1,000 yards.
3. Tawee Walker, Cincinnati
Breakdown: Walker was a huge addition out of the transfer portal for the Bearcats as they were able to snag Wisconsin’s leading rusher. Walker rushed for 864 yards and 10 touchdowns in the Big 10 and should be able to fit nicely in Cincinnati’s offense with Brendan Sorsby. Walker’s physicality makes him the ideal replacement for Corey Kiner.
3. Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
Breakdown: The Colorado transfer showed his potential last season as he produced 546 yards on the ground and added 133 receiving yards. Edwards had to split carries with DJ Giddens and quarterback Avery Johnson, but with Giddens gone it’s Edwards’ time to be the lead back. Edwards may be the most versatile back in the league as he can generate chunk plays as a runner, receiver and in the return game.
4. Carson Hansen/Abu Sama, Iowa State
Breakdown: The Cyclones should have one of the best one-two punches in the conference at running back with the return of Hansen and Sama. Hansen led the Cyclones with 752 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. Sama was a freshman All-American in 2023 and was solid in his role last season with 587 yards on the ground.
5. LJ Martin, BYU
Breakdown: Martin is one of the bigger backs on this list as he’s listed at 6-foot, 225 pounds. The bruising back was voted the MVP of the Valero Alamo Bowl and rushed for 718 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging over five yards per carry.
6. Kanye Udoh, Arizona State
Breakdown: The Sun Devils landed one of the most productive running backs in the portal to replace Skattebo. Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns for Army last season after he rushed for over 500 yards as a freshman. Udoh will have to make the transition to a more traditional offense against more talented defenses, but he’s a quality replacement for Skattebo.
7. Ishmail Mahdi, Arizona
Breakdown: A transfer from Texas State, Mahdi rushed for 991 yards in 2024 and 1,131 in 2023 for the Bobcats. Mahdi is talented but his success will depend heavily on if the Wildcats were able to improve their offensive line.
8. Jaden Nixon, UCF
Breakdown: The Knights landed Nixon in the portal from Western Michigan after he rushed for 921 yards while adding 12 touchdowns. Nixon started his career at Oklahoma State, but played sparingly in two seasons. Nixon will be eager to prove he can maintain his production at the Power Four level.
9. Wayshawn Parker, Utah
Breakdown: The Utes needed to replace their top two rushers and Parker should have the first crack at being the lead back. Parker rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman for the Cougars. Parker could flourish playing alongside dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, but what happens when teams stack the box?
10. Leshon Williams/Daniel Hishaw Jr., Kansas
Breakdown: Hishaw has been apart of a crowded backfield during his tenure in Lawrence, but with Neal finally off to the pros it’ll be Hishaw’s backfield. Hishaw showed what he’s capable of in 2023 when he rushed for 626 yards and eight touchdowns. Hishaw’s numbers dropped a bit last year as Neal and Jalon Daniels, but he should get more touches this season.
Williams transferred in from Iowa and should provide quality competition. In 2023 he led Iowa with 812 rushing yards, but he was limited to just three games in 2024. If healthy Williams could be one of the surprises this season.
12. Quentin Joyner, Texas Tech
Breakdown: One of the many transfers the Red Raiders brought in this season, Joyner will look to replace Brooks as Tech’s go-to running back. Joyner was solid at USC with 478 yards and an impressive 7.6 yards per carry. Joyner could be a fast riser up the list.
13. Freddie Brock, Oklahoma State
Breakdown: Brock is the most experienced rusher on this list after three seasons at Maine and two more at Georgia State. Brock had the best season of his career in 2024 with 819 yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll need to win the job during fall camp, but Brock’s versatility should give him the edge.
14. Dean Connors, Houston
Breakdown: The Cougars are hoping the arrival of Connors can help provide a spark to an offense that struggled in the Big 12. Connors was solid at Rice with two straight seasons rushing for over 700 yards. Connors also had more than 400 yards receiving in both games and his versatility should help the Cougars.
15. Micah Welch, Colorado
Breakdown: Welch showed promises down the stretch for Colorado as he started the final two games of the season. Welch rushed for 186 yards and led the team with four rushing touchdowns. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter gone, Welch could benefit from Colorado being more balanced on offense.
16. Nate Palmer, TCU
Breakdown: Palmer is the most inexperienced rusher on this list with just 11 career carries and he’ll also have to beat out Trent Battle and Jeremy Payne to secure the starting position. However, Palmer’s strong showing in the spring indicates he’s more than capable of being a starting running back at this level. Will TCU’s offensive line up allow his talents to flourish? Palmer has the talent to rise up the list, but has to show it on the field.
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM.
