Preseason Big 12 running back rankings: Where does TCU’s Jeremy Payne rank?
The running back position could be among the strongest in the Big 12 as the league returns six of its top-10 rushers from a year ago.
Two of those include the Offensive Player of the Year and another who was a key player for an offense that made the College Football Playoff.
There’s also a handful of running backs like TCU’s Jeremy Payne who ended the 2025 season on a high note and are aiming to continue their strong play as lead backs in 2026.
How does Payne stack up with the rest of the Big 12? The Star-Telegram continues its preseason Big 12 power rankings with a look at the running backs:
1. LJ Martin, BYU
Last year’s stats: 236 carries, 1,305 yards, 12 touchdowns. 36 receptions, 255 yards.
Breakdown: Martin was the bell cow for the Cougars last season and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading BYU to the conference championship game. Martin had six games with over 100 rushing yards including a 222-yard performance in a win over Cincinnati.
2. Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech
Last year’s stats: 209 carries, 1,124 yards, 14 touchdowns. 25 receptions, 224 yards.
Breakdown: Dickey was the lead back in a dynamic one-two punch with J’Koby Williams last season. The two combined for 1,992 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. The Red Raiders will have both back for another year and Dickey is expected to contend for the rushing title once again.
3. Wayshawn Parker, Utah
Last year’s stats: 149 carries, 981 rushing yards, six touchdowns. 13 receptions, 185 yards, three touchdowns.
Breakdown: Parker had the best season of his career after transferring to Utah from Washington State. Parker and quarterback Devon Dampier helped improve the Utes’ offense with the ability to generate chunk plays in the backfield. Parker is aiming for his first 1,000-yard season in 2026.
4. Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
Last year’s stats: 231 carries, 1,434 yards, 25 touchdowns. 32 receptions, 370 yards, four touchdowns at North Texas.
Breakdown: Hawkins was one of the nation’s most explosive running backs at North Texas and followed Eric Morris to Stillwater. The arrival of Hawkins is one reason the Cowboys are hopeful they can turn things around.
5. Joe Jackson, Kansas State
Last year’s stats: 169 carries, 911 yards, eight touchdowns. 22 receptions, 119 yards, one touchdown.
Breakdown: A third-team All-Big 12 selection, Jackson had the second most rushing yards in a game last season with 293 yards and three touchdowns against Utah. He also ended the year with 142 yards against Colorado. Jackson split carries to start last season, but should be the lead back from Week 1 this time.
6. Jeremy Payne, TCU
Last year’s stats: 110 rushing attempts, 623 yards, five touchdowns. 22 receptions, 207 yards, two touchdowns.
Breakdown: After being slowed by injuries, Payne had a breakout stretch to close 2025 as he emerged as TCU’s best running back. Payne averaged 95.2 rushing yards per game in the Horned Frogs’ final five games including 174 yards against Cincinnati and the game-winning touchdown vs. USC in the Alamo Bowl.
7. Cameron Cook, West Virginia
Last year’s stats: 295 carries, 1,659 yards, 16 touchdowns. 30 receptions, 286 yards at Jacksonville State.
Breakdown: Cook has had an interesting career so far. He led the nation in rushing at Jacksonville State last season and lived up to his lofty recruiting rankings. But in 2024 Cook struggled with TCU, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry as he finished with 460 yards. So, which version of Cook will the Mountaineers get in Morgantown?
8. Makhi Hughes, Houston
Last year’s stats: 17 carries, 70 rushing yards. Two receptions, 24 yards at Oregon
Breakdown: Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side as Hughes learned after transferring from Tulane to Oregon. He fell behind a deep stable of running backs after rushing for 1,401 yards and 1,378 yards the previous two seasons with the Green Wave. Hughes will have his chance to be the starter as he reunites with Willie Fritz, who coached him at Tulane. That relationship and the need for a starter earns Hughes a higher than expected spot.
9. Caden Knighton, Baylor
Last year’s stats: 104 carries, 469 rushing yards, one touchdown. 11 receptions, 134 yards, one touchdown.
Breakdown: Knighton was a solid No. 2 option behind Bryson Washington last season for the Bears. With Washington off to Auburn, Knighton will presumably enter the fall as the lead back. However, he could share touches with Michael Turner and Dawson Pendergrass.
10. Cole Tabb, Cincinnati
Last year’s stats: 114 rushing attempts, 446 rushing yards, three touchdowns. Two receptions, 14 yards.
Breakdown: The Bearcats’ running back situation is up in the air with multiple running backs. Tabb had the best season of his career at Stanford. Zylan Perry rushed for over 600 yards in back-to-back seasons with Louisiana. He was a productive player on his four-year career with the Ragin’ Cajuns. Notre Dame transfer Gi’Bran Payne could also be in the mix.
Best of the rest
11. Kedrick Reescano, Arizona
12. Dylan Edwards, Kansas
13. Marquis Gillis, Arizona State
14. Landen Chambers/Duke Watson, UCF
15. Micah Welch, Colorado
16. Cameron Pettaway, Iowa State
