Senior Bowl 2025 RB Primer: What You Need To Know

Welcome to the thick of the pre-draft process. With a little over a week until practices kick off in Mobile, Alabama, I’ll be providing a layered look into each positional group set to compete at the 2025 Senior Bowl—the draft cycle’s premier showcase which presents prospects with the opportunity to don their respective college helmets one final time.

Let’s get rolling with a peek into the headlining players set to compete within a historically talented draft at running back.

RUNNING BACKS

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State

One of the headliners in Mobile, Skattebo still has something to prove for scouts in attendance. A workhorse for the Sun Devils this fall, Skattebo, a former transfer from Sacramento State, will have an immense spotlight on his game all week long in what will be his final opportunity to showcase his skill set with pads on before rookie minicamp. 

Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

One of Auburn’s most productive ball-carriers in program history (3,373 career rushing yards), Hunter’s physicality and footwork are expected to be prioritized in April’s draft. He won’t wow with size, but when he clicks on his chin strap, there aren’t many ball-carriers better in the country. 

RJ Harvey, UCF

Each year you head into the week with names circled. For me, Harvey is one I have bolded. With more than 1,400 yards on the ground in each of the last two seasons, Harvey is a dynamic playmaker in the backfield with an underrated game in space. 

Marcus Yarns, Delaware

Yarns’ speed up close is going to move him up boards. Regardless of how he does in certain drills or how he attacks creases in team work, the way in which Yarns can take it the distance from anywhere on the field is a reason why he’s in Mobile. He’s going to have every opportunity to put a jetpack on his draft stock and is a player I’m specifically interested in watching in pass-catching drills and on teams. 

Trevor Etienne, Georgia

A true junior, Etienne’s experience at two SEC programs (Florida transfer) has held weight in conversations within league circles. A powerful yet elusive ball-carrier, like his brother and former Clemson All-American Travis, Trevor enters Mobile as a bit of an underrated name in what is a historical talent pool of backs eligible this spring. 

Devin Neal, Kansas

If you’re unfamiliar with Neal, sit back, relax, and turn on his tape against Colorado, a game in which he totaled 287 yards from scrimmage. Neal enters the draft as a versatile offensive piece with outstanding production over his four years in the Big 12. 

Damien Martinez, Miami

A powerful athlete, you’ll hear when Martinez is carrying the ball in Mobile due to his willingness to pop. An athlete who has consistently demonstrated the ability to make tacklers miss in the open field, the Lewisville, Texas native has quickly begun to see his name thrown in the mix with the long list of projected day-two draft-eligible ball-carriers. It’s not just because of his success over the years, rather, it’s Martinez living up to expectations for prospective NFL clubs in search of a potential bellcow ball-carrier next April. He’s got a knack for finding seams against stacked defensive fronts, and also has great vision and lateral agility for an athlete of his size—traits that scouts view as must-haves for a running back at the next level.

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

It was a disappointing final season for Edwards, all things considered. However, he’s a mature and productive back with four years of experience in some big-time ball games for the Wolverines. Success in an alternate setting like the Senior Bowl will sell Edwards for some teams. 

Kalel Mullings, Michigan

RB1 for the Wolverines this year, Mullings was the hefty straw that made the Michigan offense go in 2024. A five-year contributor in Ann Arbor, Mullings rushed for more than 100 yards in four games this fall and is a player who can do a little of everything at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds.

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Gordon’s 2023 was historic. A year in which Gordon reached the end zone 21 times totaling 1,732 yards on the ground, his success as a sophomore set the stage for this fall. While Gordon failed to match his immense production from last year, he enters the draft as one of the headlining eligible offensive prospects who really found his footing again at the back end of the campaign. His performance ceiling at the position is as lofty as any ball-carrier in the class.

Brashard Smith, SMU

An electric playmaker, Smith quickly found his footing after transferring in from Miami (1,326 rushing yards). Smith and Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings quickly evolved into one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive tandems, and Smith’s versatility will be on full display in Mobile. A former top-25 recruit nationally at WR, he’ll be a nightmare to counter in space. 

LeQuint Allen, Syracuse

Speaking of ballplayers who will make themselves money in space next week, Allen is a nuanced and sudden route-runner who could leave the Senior Bowl as one of the biggest ‘risers.’ At this point in time, Allen projects as a versatile option for an offense that should earn good volume at the NFL level. His refined game as both a ball-carrier and weapon in space showcases an intriguing prospect at the position who could challenge for an RB1 role in due time.

Woody Marks, USC

I really like Woody Marks’ game, and think he’s a guy we may look back on a few years from now and ask how he didn’t go higher. It’s not to suggest he has consensus late-day-three grades—he doesn’t—but the playmaking ability and breakaway speed are sensational to watch on tape. 

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

A former transfer from North Carolina A&T, Tuten is another explosive ball-carrier to become familiar with. Likely to hear his name called on day three in April, Tuten toppled the 100-yard plateau in six games this fall headlined by his 264-yard, three-touchdown day against Boston College.