Your thoughts on the 2026 Running Back Class? (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

Where would you rank Love if he was in the 2025 class? I have him 4th behind Jeanty, Hampton, and Henderson.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

 

[pinkstapler]

Using PFF grades to evaluate 2026 class

"The early projected names in the 2026 running back class enter the 2025 season with strong PFF grades. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love earned a 91.8 PFF rushing grade last season — tied for the fifth-best mark in the FBS — and is the early RB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Makhi Hughes also earned an elite rushing grade at Tulane last season (90.9); we’ll see if he can replicate that production at Oregon.

Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, Darius Taylor, Jonah Coleman and Le'Veon Moss from PFF’s 10 running backs to know article all recorded 80.0-plus PFF rushing grades in 2024. But Love, Coleman and West Virginia’s Jahiem White were the only ones on that list to average more than 0.25 forced missed tackles per attempt. This group's efficiency metrics were generally lower than ideal, so it feels like a down year for the position.

Strength or Weakness: Weakness"


NFL Draft Buzz profiles and player ratings 2025

NFL Draft Buzz profiles and player ratings 2026

2025 - 6 guys graded 85.5+ ; 21 guys graded 80+
2026 - 2 guys graded 85.5+ ; 13 guys graded 80+


Walter Football had 9 RBs projected to go rounds 1-4 of 2025. They have 4 RBs projected same range of 2026. Expanding to the 5th round it goes 18RBs - 2025, 9RBs - 2026.


I can go on, as basically everywhere I look mirrors these projections. RB can probably change the most season over season, and I understand we are really gazing into the crystal ball on this as a whole. But I think someone would really have to be ignoring all the information we DO have available to claim next years class will have the talent at the top (there's 100% not currently a Jeanty in 2026 as of now, and likely won't be considering Jeanty had multiple years of elite performance), or come even close to the depth that this years class had. I'm not going to say 2026 will be bad, but I do feel comfortable as of now and until we see how the 2026 college season plays out, it will not be close to as strong or deep as this years class.

Off-topic but WR looks just about the same if not worse TBH. Which could impact dynasty rookie drafts because with a weak WR class, your odds of a RB falling to a value spot get even lower. I think outside QB, 2026 class is looking very mediocre. Of course that's the running joke of what's said every year. I am not one of those guys though for whatever that's worth. I was very hyped on this 2025 RB class last year, and very hyped on the 2024 WR class back in 2023.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

Singleton is a size speed outlier. He is 230 lbs. I could see him getting to 4.3 if he runs at the combine. His jumps would be off the charts. here is him squatting nearly 600lbs:

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He has improved as a runner each year. Last year he lineup up in the slot nearly 15% of his pass plays. He averaged over 1.6 y/rr. If he continues to improve, he should be an elite RB prospect.

 

[JohnnyU]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

Singleton is a size speed outlier. He is 230 lbs. I could see him getting to 4.3 if he runs at the combine. His jumps would be off the charts. here is him squatting nearly 600lbs:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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He has improved as a runner each year. Last year he lineup up in the slot nearly 15% of his pass plays. He averaged over 1.6 y/rr. If he continues to improve, he should be an elite RB prospect.

Singleton looked good in 2022 and 2024, but not in 2023. He was a DEVY darling after his freshman year, then busted badly in 2023, then recouped value last year. I suffered from prospect fatigue with Singleton going into last year, but feel better about him today.

 

[socrates]

Sure, the 2025 RB Class was considered elite even a year ago, but Ashton Jeanty wasn't Ashton Jeanty a year ago, and TreVeyon Henderson fatigue was a real thing. Will the 2026 class measure up to that? Unlikely.

However, this has the potential to be a much better class than 2024.

Nicholas Singleton is arguably the top prospect in the 2026 RB Class; his combination of power and speed is elite.

Jeremiyah Love has dynamic qualities. If a RB in this class is going to make a Jeanty-like ascent in this class, it may be Love. He is already considered the top of the class by many, and there is room to grow.

Even beyond Singleton and Love, there is a lot to be excited about.

Kaytron Allen will pair up with Singleton again this fall. Allen is a hammer, but he is more than just a power back. Makhi Hughes is making the jump from Tulane to Oregon. If he makes that transition successfully, he may enter the 2026 class. Darius Taylor may lack top-end speed, but he is one of the more complete backs who may enter the 2026 class. He has excellent contact balance and is a reliable receiver and pass protector. Jaydn Ott has moved from Cal to Oklahoma. He has the dynamic long speed and natural receiving ability you seek in a PPR back. If he can shore up some other areas of his game, he could really move up in this class. Justice Haynes moves from Alabama to Michigan. I will be watching this fall to see if he can take that next step in his development. Jonah Coleman is a physical runner, but he has shown flashes of being considerably more. Le'Veon Moss looks to bounce back from a 2024 knee injury. Kanye Udoh transferred from Army to Arizona State where he will try to fill Skattebo's shoes. He will be one of the more intriguing backs to follow in 2025. Desmond Reid is undersized, but his receiving and big play ability are top notch. Jaheim White is also a bit undersized, but he is a lot of fun to watch. Jamal Haynes is a former receiver who has the talent to move up in the RB rankings. Demond Claiborne is a bit of a RB sleeper, but keep your eye on him. He has NFL talent. CJ Baxter is coming off an injury and may not enter the 2026 Draft class, but he is very talented.

I have left many names off this list, but my point is, this has the potential to be a very talented 2026 RB Class, even if it does not ultimately measure up to the 2025 class.

 

[Willie Mays Hayes]

I agree with the rating of 4th for Love if he was in the 2025 class. I would have had Singleton 6th behind Judkins and before Kaleb Johnson. Makhi Hughes would have been somewhere just behind Luther Burden in my rankings as a Top of 2nd guy. Darius Taylor would have been around 2.07. All of this could obviously improve but I’m not feeling this class. Therefore, I was either using my 2026 picks on 2025 picks or 2027 draft capital.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

Singleton is a size speed outlier. He is 230 lbs. I could see him getting to 4.3 if he runs at the combine. His jumps would be off the charts. here is him squatting nearly 600lbs:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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He has improved as a runner each year. Last year he lineup up in the slot nearly 15% of his pass plays. He averaged over 1.6 y/rr. If he continues to improve, he should be an elite RB prospect.

Singleton looked good in 2022 and 2024, but not in 2023. He was a DEVY darling after his freshman year, then busted badly in 2023, then recouped value last year. I suffered from prospect fatigue with Singleton going into last year, but feel better about him today.

He was hurt all year in 23

 

[JohnnyU]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

Singleton is a size speed outlier. He is 230 lbs. I could see him getting to 4.3 if he runs at the combine. His jumps would be off the charts. here is him squatting nearly 600lbs:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

He has improved as a runner each year. Last year he lineup up in the slot nearly 15% of his pass plays. He averaged over 1.6 y/rr. If he continues to improve, he should be an elite RB prospect.

Singleton looked good in 2022 and 2024, but not in 2023. He was a DEVY darling after his freshman year, then busted badly in 2023, then recouped value last year. I suffered from prospect fatigue with Singleton going into last year, but feel better about him today.

He was hurt all year in 23

How hurt was he? He had 15 more carries in 2023 than 2022 and one less carry than 2024.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Jeremiah Love, Makhi Hughes, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Jayden Ott, Justice Haynes, Darius Taylor, Desmond Reid, Jonah Coleman, Le’Veon Moss, Mark Fletcher, Quentin Joyner.

is it great, good, average, or bad? Personally I think it could be weak, but some may like it. Love gets most of the hype. Singleton had a bounce back year after a bad one and prospect fatigue. Baxter, who I liked before his devastating injury, what will he look like? I’m intrigued by Darius Taylor and Justice Haynes. Coming out of high school Rueben Owen’s had 5 star hype, but that’s about it. Richard Young had the freshman hype too in 2024 but hasn’t delivered.

Maybe not 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 (Melvin Gordon aside) bad, but maybe no better than 2024? And certainly not as good as 2025, which we had a pretty good idea about a year out.

Singleton is a size speed outlier. He is 230 lbs. I could see him getting to 4.3 if he runs at the combine. His jumps would be off the charts. here is him squatting nearly 600lbs:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

He has improved as a runner each year. Last year he lineup up in the slot nearly 15% of his pass plays. He averaged over 1.6 y/rr. If he continues to improve, he should be an elite RB prospect.

Singleton looked good in 2022 and 2024, but not in 2023. He was a DEVY darling after his freshman year, then busted badly in 2023, then recouped value last year. I suffered from prospect fatigue with Singleton going into last year, but feel better about him today.

He was hurt all year in 23

How hurt was he? He had 15 more carries in 2023 than 2022 and one less carry than 2024.

He played with the injury. I don't remember what it was, but it clearly was an issue for him