Spring football is on the horizon for the 13 FBS programs in the state of Texas and that means it is time to shift focus forward towards the 2026 season and rank the 10 best players at each position, continuing with running backs.  

The Lone Star State sent 10 programs to bowl games and two to the College Football Playoff in a historic year for college teams here in Texas. Five of the 13 finished inside the AP Top 25 and only Baylor, Sam Houston, and UTEP failed to reach the postseason. Nine of the 13 teams finished with a winning record. 

Some new faces at programs such as Texas as well as players expected to take on an increased role in 2026 populate the running back rankings. 

Previous Rankings: QB | 

1. Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 1,124 rushing yards, 5.38 YPC, 14 TDs; 25 catches, 224 yards, 2 TDs 

Dickey was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection as a sophomore last season and is the only running back on this list that returns to his school after posting a 1,000-yard season. He led the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns (14) and total touchdowns (16). Dickey was a high school quarterback at Crockett High School in Austin and has blossomed into one of the best young running backs in college football. His best game came against Kansas, when he rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries to earn Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. 

2. Raleek Brown, Texas 

2025 stats: 1,141 rushing yards, 6.13 YPC, 4 TDs; 34 catches, 239 yards, 2 TDs (Arizona State)

Texas wanted to reload at the running back position and landing Brown from Arizona State was a great addition for the Horns. He and Dickey are the only two players on this list who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Brown did it while averaging over six yards a carry. His 34 catches also illustrate how impactful he can be out of the backfield as a receiver. Brown began his college career at USC, where he was moved to receiver, before returning to running back with the Sun Devils. He’s a big play back who forced 53 missed tackles last season. 

3. Hollywood Smothers, Texas 

2025 stats: 939 rushing yards, 5.87 YPC, 6 TDs; 37 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD (NC State) 

Adding Smothers to the running back room alongside Brown was a coup for the Horns, who flipped the NC State star from Alabama while he was in the transfer portal. Smothers was one of the bright spots for the Wolfpack in 2025, averaging 85.36 yards a game and registered more receptions than any other running back on this list. Some think it’ll be Smothers that emerges as the go-to back for Steve Sarkisian’s offense. He’s a big body who can help Texas improve on third-and-short and in the red zone. 

4. Reuben Owens, Texas A&M

2025 stats: 639 rushing yards, 5.4 YPC, 5 TDs; 13 catches, 130 yards 

The former five-star prospect is now the face of the Texas A&M running back room as he moves into his redshirt junior season in College Station. He led the Aggies in rushing a year ago with 639 yards while averaging 5.4 yards per game. With no more Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, and EJ Smith, Owens is expected to be the bell cow and one of the most productive running backs in the SEC this season. Head coach Mike Elko wants to run the ball more effectively in 2026 and that starts with Owens. 

5. Kendrick Raphael, SMU 

2025 stats: 943 rushing yards, 4.06 YPC, 13 TDs; 34 catches, 245 yards, 1 TD (Cal)

SMU’s leading rusher in 2025 was a Cal transfer and the Mustangs are dipping back into that well with the addition of Raphael, who was third in the ACC last year in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns. He topped 1,000 yards of all-purpose yards and SMU will utilize his receiving skills out of the backfield. Raphael started 11 times last year and was an All-ACC honorable mention. He ran for 111 yards and a touchdown in Cal’s win over SMU that kept the Ponies out of the ACC Championship game. 

6. J’Koby Williams, Texas Tech 

2025 stats: 868 rushing yards, 5.6 YPC, 6 TDs; 35 catches, 388 yards, 2 TDs 

Williams is one of the more dynamic running backs in Texas and is a monster on special teams, as well. He averaged 107.08 all-purpose yards per game last year, which was fourth-most in the Big 12. Williams topped 100 yards rushing in two games last year – Houston and Kansas State – and gained 81 yards on 13 carries in the Orange Bowl against Oregon. He split time with Dickey following a preseason injury to Quinten Joyner, who is expected back and fully healthy for 2026. That three-headed monster should form the best rushing attack in the Big 12, especially with QB transfer Brendan Sorsby’s mobility added to the mix. 

7. Will Henderson, UTSA 

2025 stats: 866 rushing yards, 6.93 YPC, 6 TDs; 19 catches, 132 yards, 2 TDs 

No player on the list averaged more yards per carry last year than Henderson, who should become the focal point of the Roadrunner rushing attack now that Robert Henry Jr. is out of eligibility. Henderson went over 100 yards in two of the last three regular season games, including a 185-yard performance against East Carolina, and scored twice in UTSA’s bowl win over FIU. 

8. Greg Burrell, Texas State 

2025 stats: 680 rushing yards, 6.7 YPC, 3 TD; 13 catches, 125 yards 

Keeping Burrell, a former UNLV transfer, from leaving in the transfer portal was another one of Texas State’s big wins in the offseason, alongside QB Brad Jackson and WRs Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. Burrell was the primary backup for Lincoln Pare, but he should be the focal point of the Bobcats rushing attack in 2026 next to Jackson. Burrell never received more than 13 carries in a game last year so we expect him to flirt with a 1,000-yard season in 2026 with more touches. 

9. Makhi Hughes, Houston 

2025 stats: 70 yards, 4.1 YPC, 0 TD; 2 catches, 24 yards (Oregon)

Don’t let Hughes’ year at Oregon fool you, he’ll be one of the top running backs in the Big 12 now that he’s reunited with head coach Willie Fritz at Houston after starring for him during their time at Tulane. Hughes was a two-time All-AAC First Team selection with the Green Wave, rushing for 1,401 yards in 2024 and 1,378 in 2023. Hughes never got off the ground with the Ducks, but we expect him to have a bounce-back season with the Coogs, just like QB Conner Weigman did after transferring there ahead of 2025. 

10. Quinton Jackson, Rice 

2025 stats: 889 rushing yards, 4.94 YPC, 6 TDs; 4 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD

The undersized Jackson led the Owls in rushing (889), all-purpose yards (1,225), and was tied for the team lead with seven touchdowns in the first season running the option with the Owls. He was also an excellent kickoff returner who was an All-AAC selection in 2025. Jackson topped the 100-yard mark three times and starred in the upset win over UConn that helped propel Rice to a bowl bid. He scored a rushing and receiving touchdown of over 70 yards in that game, the first Owl to do so. 

Honorable mention: Jeremy Payne (TCU), Jamarion Morrow (Texas A&M), Jaheim White (North Texas), Brendon Haygood (North Texas), Bradon High (UTSA)