Getty Images SportThe NFL spotlight will shift to Indianapolis as the 2025 NFL Combine gets underway.
This annual showcase gives hundreds of draft hopefuls a chance to impress scouts, coaches, and front-office executives, in order to improve their draft stock with the NFL Draft just around the corner in April.
With that in mind, GOAL takes a deeper look at the top five running back prospects from this year's class with NFL Combine just around the corner.
Getty Images SportNo running back in the nation put up better numbers last season than Ashton Jeanty. The Heisman runner-up racked up a staggering 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries, etching his name into the history books with one of the most dominant single-season performances ever.
From a physical standpoint, Jeanty is a powerhouse in the backfield. He’s built low to the ground with a strong base, giving him exceptional balance and leg-driven power. His combination of speed, agility, sharp cutting ability, and natural instincts make him a nightmare for defenses.
Getty Images SportIn 2024, Hampton proved to be a workhorse, averaging 5.9 yards per carry while racking up 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He also showcased his versatility with 38 receptions for 373 yards and two scores. Built for the rigors of the NFL, Hampton combines speed with brute strength, making him a nightmare to bring down. He thrives on contact, churning out extra yards after first contact with defenders. However, his season opener was a grind, managing just 29 yards on 30 carries while adding five catches for 17 yards.
Over the past two seasons, Hampton has consistently forced at least 67 missed tackles, demonstrating his elite physicality. His ability to power through defenders is evident in his impressive 4.35 yards after contact per attempt (ranking in the 89th percentile). He’s particularly dangerous on big runs, shedding at least one tackler on the majority of his 45 carries of 10-plus yards in 2024.
Physically, Hampton is built for the trenches, tipping the scales at a chiseled 220 pounds—a result of relentless work in the weight room. Unlike Jeanty, his game is centered around downhill power running, making him an ideal fit for a system that needs a bruising back to wear down defenses.
Getty Images SportIn 2024, Judkins proved to be a steady force in the backfield, averaging 5.5 yards per carry while amassing 1,060 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game, hauling in 22 receptions for 161 yards and two scores.
A physical and well-rounded running back, Judkins brings a complete three-down skill set to the table. He has the explosiveness and acceleration to turn routine carries into highlight-reel plays. His vision and patience allow him to navigate the trenches effectively, waiting for lanes to develop before hitting the gas.
Once past the line of scrimmage, Judkins does a great job of pressing and cutting to find open space at the second level. He consistently maximizes his opportunities, taking what the blocking gives him while squeezing out extra yardage when possible. In one-on-one matchups with alley defenders, he has the agility and instincts to make them miss and keep the chains moving.
Getty Images SportBoasting an elite blend of size and athleticism, Kaleb Johnson made a thunderous impact in 2024, delivering the most dominant rushing display in the Big Ten for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Carrying the rock 240 times, he racked up 1,537 yards and found the end zone 22 times, cementing his place as one of the premier backs in this loaded draft class.
While Johnson may not have the sudden explosiveness of someone like Ashton Jeanty, his exceptional vision as a ball-carrier allows him to glide through lanes with a natural fluidity. A patient runner by nature, he has the ability to hit his stride just as he breaks into the second level, making him a dangerous threat once he finds open space.
Getty Images SportLeading off our list is one of the youngest running backs in this year's draft class, fresh off a record-setting season with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2024. The reigning SEC Player of the Year enters the pros boasting extensive experience operating out of the shotgun, making him a prime fit for modern offenses.
Dylan Sampson racked up 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 258 carries in Josh Heupel's high-powered attack last season.
Arguably the most electrifying open-field runner in this draft, Sampson thrived in shotgun formations, routinely exploiting gaps and making defenders miss. His proficiency in spread-style schemes will make him a coveted asset for teams in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
