For the first time in years, Big 12 backfields are going to be dominated by youth.
Out of the top ten leaders from last season, only two were underclassmen. In 2025, that script is flipping. The top five rushing leaders last year, headlined by Arizona State‘s Cam Skattebo, are all off to the NFL, chasing their dreams of playing on Sundays.
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However, the two underclassmen, from Baylor and West Virginia, will step into larger roles. With the Big 12’s rushing leaders in 2024 off to the NFL, they are leaving opportunities for transfers and underclassmen to dominate the leaderboard.
Several programs restocked through the portal, including Texas Tech and Utah. Other teams like Kansas State will rely on their younger playmakers to step up and carry the load.
The 2025 Big 12 running back class is poised to make a significant impact. With standout returner Bryson Washington (Baylor) and top transfer Quentin Joyner (Texas Tech) leading the way, the conference could see a surge in ground game production this season.
With the season around the corner, here are our predictions for this year’s Big 12 rushing leaders. If you’re interested in the air attack, we’ve got you covered with our breakdown of the Big 12’s top projected passers as well.
Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Bearcats lost their top back, but are bringing in a highly productive back from Wisconsin. Walker was a workhorse in Madison, tallying 190 carries for 864 yards. The Bearcats replaced Kiner with a back who can have the same workload. Walker should crack the top ten with the Bearcats if he can find the same success as Kiner did in his final year in Cincinnati.
9. Jaden Nixon, UCF Knights
Sept. 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Western Michigan Broncos running back Jaden Nixon (3) is tackled by Ohio State cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. (3) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Nixon is coming into his final year of eligibility in a good situation for him. After spending his first few years at Oklahoma State, he spent last year at Western Michigan and had his best year yet. The 5-foot-10 back tallied 919 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry. UCF is losing top back RJ Harvey to the NFL, and Nixon should plug right into the starting role.
8. Kanye Udoh, Arizona State Sun Devils
Dec 6, 2024; West Point, NY, USA; Army Black Knights running back Kanye Udoh (6) runs the ball against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Udoh was highly productive in his time at the Army, rushing for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is a big downfield runner and should complement Arizona State’s other smaller backs. The Sun Devils are likely to have a new look offense with the departure of Skattebo, but Udoh should be the top option for the Sun Devils.
Oct 12, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) celebrates after a first down against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Iowa State had a balanced offense last year behind running backs Abu Sama III, Hansen and quarterback Rocco Becht. Hansen just missed the top ten last year, tallying 752 yards on 151 attempts. With the top backs from last year gone, if Hansen has the same workload, or even gets more carries, he should crack the top ten in his senior year.
Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) returns a punt during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Edwards served as the primary backup to DJ Giddens last season, but with Giddens off to the NFL, he’s expected to take on a much larger role in 2025. The 5-foot-9 dual-threat speedster averaged 7.4 yards per carry in 2024 while also hauling in 19 receptions for 133 yards. He should excel for the Wildcats, who are contenders in the Big 12.
5. Quinten Joyner, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Quinten Joyner runs the ball during the Texas Tech football team’s spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Texas Tech is losing its top back, Tahj Brooks, to the NFL, but brought in a top transfer recruit to replace him. Joyner averaged 7.6 yards per carry in his redshirt freshman season at USC. He should fit in nicely with the Red Raiders as he has shades of Brooks’ play style.
Nov 16, 2024; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) breaks a tackle by Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Cornell Wheeler (44) during the first quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Martin had a successful sophomore campaign, racking up 718 yards on just 137 carries. The 6-foot-2 back was also active in the passing game, taking 10 receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Martin should carry the load for BYU in 2025, and if he can get more carries this season, he could push past the 1,000-yard mark.
Sep 14, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers running back Jahiem White (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
With head coach Rich Rodriguez back in Morgantown for the Mountaineers, there is no doubt that White can have success in 2025. He tallied 845 yards on 149 carries in 2024 and will excel in Rich Rod’s offense. Rodriguez’s run-first approach should put the ball in White’s hands more often than not, and he should find success in 2025.
2. Wayshawn Parker, Utah Utes
Nov 9, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Wayshawn Parker (21) runs the ball against the Utah State Aggies in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
2024’s Pac-12 Freshman of the Year will be the guy for the Utes in 2025. Parker averaged 5.4 yards per carry in his true-freshman season. He was the No. 4-ranked running back in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. With the addition of Parker’s speed and athleticism, Utah ranks as the No. 6 backfield in college football according to Brad Crawford of 247Sports.
Nov 16, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Baylor Bears running back Bryson Washington (30) runs the ball during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Since all the top backs from last year have left, Washington is next up. The 6-foot-1 back had a breakout freshman season, tallying 1,028 yards on just 175 carries, which is good for a gaudy 5.9 yards per carry. He should help Baylor be one of the Big 12’s top teams in 2025 if he can continue his momentum from last year.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Predicting the Big 12’s top running backs by rushing yardage in 2025
