The 2024 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2025 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Running Backs.
Donovan Edwards, Michigan Wolverines
While Blake Corum was a Heisman candidate in 2022, Edwards filled in well after he returned from injury. After rushing for 174 yards in his first season, Edwards rushed for 991 in 2022. He really helped the team out after Corum was lost for the season due to injury. Corum returned in 2023, so Edwards managed just 497 rushing yards, 249 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His play helped the Wolverines win the National Championship.
Edwards has solid size, good breakaway speed and receiving ability. He showed how big of a home run threat he was against Ohio State in 2022, with several big runs. Edwards isn’t the most creative runner and also hasn’t carried the full workload yet, but the latter may not be as big of an issue in today’s NFL.
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State Buckeyes
Henderson had a good freshman season for Ohio State, but then dealt with injuries in 2022 and 2023. Over his three seasons, Henderson has 2,745 rushing yards, 569 receiving yards and 37 total touchdowns. He has helped Ohio State win a Rose Bowl, as well as get to the College Football Playoff and the Cotton Bowl in his career.
Henderson is quick, but is also a patient runner. He has a solid build to run between the tackles, but is also able to bounce runs outside. Henderson also has proven to be a solid receiver. He can be better in pass protection and add to his route tree to really become a three-down back for the next level.
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos
As a four-star recruit, Jeanty joined Boise State in 2022. He rushed for 821 yards as a freshman. Jeanty really improved in 2023 with 1,347 rushing yards, 569 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. During his career, he helped the Broncos win the Frisco Bowl and get to the LA Bowl.
Jeanty is a well-built, but smaller running back. He has good quickness and is elusive in the open field. Jeanty can be used as a receiver out of the backfield. There are questions about his long speed and pass protection, but overall he has been a productive running back who could end up being picked relatively early.
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State Buckeyes
As a four-star recruit Judkins signed with Ole Miss out of high school. He had an impressive freshman season with 1,567 rushing yards, 132 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Last season, he had 1,158 rushing yards, 149 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns. Following the season, he decided to transfer to Ohio State.
Judkins is a patient runner with a solid build and has good contact balance. He makes nice one-step cuts and has nice field vision that extends to the open field. Judkins does lack breakaway speed and he isn’t the most elusive running back. A good season at Ohio State in a split backfield
Damien Martinez, Miami Hurricanes
Martinez was a three-star prospect who signed with Oregon State out of Texas. As a freshman in 2022, Martinez totaled 982 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He increased his production in 2023, finishing the year with 1,185 rushing yards, 126 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. In the spring, Martinez decided to transfer to Miami.
He has good contact balance and also is elusive, especially for his size. Arm tacklers slide right off of him and Martinez runs hard. He is a limited receiver and could add more routes to his game. Martinez also has average long speed and could improve his pass pro. A good season with the Hurricanes could really improve Martinez’s stock.
Nick Singleton, Penn State Nittany Lions
Singleton stayed in his home state as a five-star prospect to play for the Nittany Lions. He had an incredible freshman season totaling 1,061 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns. In 2023, Singleton had 752 rushing yards, 308 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
He can work on his pass pro and Singleton is an upright runner, but there is plenty that he does well. Singleton has a good build and solid vision. He can bounce runs outside and get to the edge when the middle is closed off.
Other Draft Prospects to Watch
Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State Cowboys- Gordon led the FBS in rushing yards for the 2023 season. He has plenty of power in his frame and vision.
Devin Neal, Kansas Jayhawks-Kansas has improved the last few seasons and Neal is a big reason why. He has improved every season and has provided a decent receiver out of the backfield over the last few seasons.
Jaydn Ott, California Golden Bears- Ott has great speed and is elusive in the open field. He also is a good receiver out of the backfield.
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina Gamecocks-After being on this list last year, Sanders had an injury-filled 2022 and only played six games. He is now at South Carolina where he will get a chance to show off his powerful running style.
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/nfl-draft/2025-nfl-draft-prospect-watchlist-running-backs/2024/05/06/
