Ranking the top 10 running backs in the Big Ten for 2024

The Big Ten, USC's new home, is known for annually producing some of the best running backs in the nation. That's a tradition that goes back decades.

In fact, in the past five decades, six Heisman Trophy winners have been Big Ten running backs. That's fitting for a conference that features so many programs that still prefer to move the ball on the ground.

Of course, USC is no stranger to great running back play either. Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), and Reggie Bush (2005) all won Heisman Trophies as running backs for the Trojans.

So as we prepare for USC's first season in the Big Ten, it would make sense to take a look at the conference's running backs, some of whom the Trojans will be tasked with stopping. Here are the top ten running backs in the Big Ten.

Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks has all the tools necessary to be a star for the Trojans this season. He's one of the fastest backs in the country, he's got great hands, and he is durable.

Now that he's playing for an offensive genius in Lincoln Riley, he should see his productivity increase. What's more, he'll be surrounded by dynamic playmakers in the Trojan offense which could free him up to make even more plays.

Last season, while playing for a defensive-minded head coach and a truly dreadful Bulldog offense, he still managed 740 yards from scrimmage and six TDs. In each of his five college seasons, he's had at least 580 yards of total offense including 918 (and nine TDs) in 2021. So just think what he'll be able to do in Lincoln Riley's offense in 2024.

Purdue is one of the most pass-happy teams in the Big Ten. However, their best offensive weapon could be running back Devin Mockobee.

Over the past two years, he's racked up 2,233 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. That includes a stellar freshman season in 2022 in which he had 1,242 total yards and 9 TDs.

Purdue's O.C. Graham Harrell is a Mike Leach disciple who runs the "Air Raid" offense. That's why Mockobee got only 14.3 carries per game last year. Still, he averaged 4.7 yards per rush to get to 811 yards on the ground. The "Air Raid" works best when it has a dynamic RB to give it balance and that's what Mockobee can do for Harrell so expect another big season out of this under-the-radar player.

Junior Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton could be a breakout star this year, especially if the Nittany Lions are as good as many believe they will be. In each of his first two seasons, he's topped the 1,000-yard mark in total offense. He's also piled up 23 career touchdowns.

However, his production dipped a bit last season. He went from 6.8 to 4.4 yards per carry though his number of rushes rose by only 15.

Singleton will also share the RB load with Kaytron Allen so that could keep him from becoming a household name. Still, he is one of the most talented RBs in the Big Ten and he will give Penn State some punch in the backfield.

It will be interesting to see if Mayland's offense can remain dangerous with QB Taulia Tagovailoa now trying to make his way in the NFL. Perhaps the Terrapins will rely even more heavily on the legs of RB Roman Hemby.

In each of the past two seasons, Hemby has posted at least 1,000 yards of total offense. Last season, he put up 1,029 yards and seven TDs.

Hemby is a great pass catcher as he led all Big Ten RBS last year with 349 receiving yards. This year, he should be the focal point of the Terrapin offense given the questions the program has at QB. So look for Hemby to potentially have a big statistical season in 2024.

Oregon is another program that isn't often associated with elite running backs. However, the Ducks have had plenty of firepower on the ground over the years.

This season, Jordan James could be the next Oregon RB to make waves. Last year, while splitting time with Bucky Irving he put up 759 yards and 11 TDs on the ground.

This year, Oregon is expected to be onr of the best offensive teams in the country. So look for big things from James who averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2023.

Last season, Kyle Monangai led the Big Ten in rushing yards with 1,262 last fall. He also averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 242 attempts.

So why isn't he a household name? Well...he plays for Rutgers. Still, he's one of the best backs in the conference.

Last year, the Scarlet Knights ran the ball 61.9% of the time. That likely won't change this year with the QB position being less than stellar. Will Monangai be able to replicate his breakout 2023 with everyone in the Big Ten keying on him? If so, he'll establish his place among the top RBs in America.

The other dynamic running back to call Happy Valley home is Kaytron Allen. A season ago, he put up 902 yards and six TDs on the ground. The year prior, he topped the 1,000-yard mark in total offense.

Despite putting up over 36 points per game last season, Penn State has brought in a new O.C. in Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas. Now, the Nittany Lions are expected to run a more wide-open passing-game-friendly offense.

Will that hurt the productivity of the running backs? Or, will the offense ask them to catch the ball out of the backfield more often (Allen caught only 14 passes last year)? If Kotelnicki is wise, he'll still lean on his talented RB duo as his bread and butter.

It might seem odd to put Michigan's Donovan Edwards at No. 3 on this list. After all, he ran for only 497 yards and five TDs a season ago.

However, he will be the man for the Wolverines this year now that Blake Corum is off to the NFL. What's more, Edwards has a history of playing well in big games.

In last season's National Championship Game, he put up 104 yards and two TDs on only six carries. What's more, the season before, he posted 119 yards against TCU in the National Semifinal. When Corum was injured in 2022, Edwards stepped up and had 216 yards and two TDs against Ohio State and since then fans have wondered what he could do as a featured back. We will find out in 2024.

The only thing that has stopped TreVeyon Henerson from being a superstar in the college game has been injuries. Still, he's run for 2,745 yards and 32 TDs in his three years at Ohio State.

Last season, Henderson put up 926 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. He might not hit that mark this year, though because he'll be splitting time with another dynamic back who we will discuss momentarily.

On the other hand, Ohio State will have the very pedestrian Will Howard at QB this year. Thus, new O.C. Chip Kelly might just hammer the rock and that would help Henderson make a name for himself, so long as he can stay healthy.

Proving that the rich only get richer, Ohio State added Ole Miss star transfer Quinshon Judkins this offseason. That' hardly seems fair for the rest of the Big Ten.

All Judkins has done so far in his career is post 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns in just two seasons. So far, he's topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in both of his NCAA campaigns.

Judkins is an elite athlete who has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in his career. What's more, he's been a workhorse as he's averaged 272.5 carries per season. He will combine with Henderson to give Ohio State perhaps the best running back tandem in the country.