CFW Preseason 2026 – The Running Backs and Other Positions
Hardy and Lacy, no not a TV show,
but the two best running backs
Hardy is Ahmad – Missouri junior Ahmad Hardy (5-10, 210). Lacy is Kewan – Ole Miss junior Kewan Lacy (5-11, 205). They are the two best running backs in the country.
Last year, Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards, averaging 127 yards a game. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns. Lacy rushed for 1,567 yards, averaging 105 yards a game. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 24 touchdowns.
Hardy suffered a gunshot wound in the leg during the offseason. Whether that injury impacts his performance or not this season remains to be seen. At the SEC Media Days, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said Hardy has fully recovered. Many think Hardy will be held out of play until the second or third game in the season.
Next to Hardy and Lacy, the two top running backs are Louisville junior Isaac Brown (5-9, 190), and BYU senior L.J. Martin (6-2, 225).
In 2025, Brown missed a few games due to injury, but he still managed to rush for 884 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per carry. Martin rushed for 1,305 yards, averaging 100 yards per game. He averaged 5.5 yards a carry and scored 12 touchdowns.
The Running Backs – 2026
ACC
In addition to Louisville’s Isaac Brown, the ACC has three other top running backs coming into the 2026 season. The best of the three, and he’ a good one, is Miami senior Mark Fletcher (6-2, 225). Last year Fletcher rushed for 1,192 yards, averaging 5.5 yards a carry. He scored 10 touchdowns.
The other two good running backs in the ACC are Duke sophomore Nate Shappard (5-10, 200) and Georgia Tech junior Justice Haynes (5-11, 210). Last season, Sheppard rushed for 1,132 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He scored 11 touchdowns. Haynes transferred to Georgia Tech during the offseason from Michigan. Last year with the Wolverines, he averaged 7.1 yards a carry.
Big 12
In addition to BYU’s L.J. Martin, the Big 12 has a slew of good running backs. It begins with last year’s leading rusher senior Cam Cook (5-9, 202). During the offseason, Cook transferred to West Virginia from Jacksonville State. Last year, Cook rushed for 1,659 yards, averaging 128 yards per game. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry and scored 16 touchdowns.
After Cook, comes another transfer sophomore Caleb Hawkins (6-0, 219). Hawkins transferred to Oklahoma State from North Texas. Last season, he rushed for 1,434 yards, averaging 111 yards per game. He averaged 6.2 yards a carry and scored 25 touchdowns.
Texas Tech junior Cameron Dickey (5-10, 215) is a talented and exciting running back. Last year, he rushed for 1,124 yards, averaging 5.4 yards a carry. He ran for 14 touchdowns.
The final two running backs worth mentioning from the Big 12 are Kansas junior Dylan Edwards (5-9, 175) and Kansas State junior Joe Jackson (6-0, 207). Jackson rushed for 911 yards last year.
Big Ten
The Big Ten, along with the SEC, may have the most talented group of running backs. Leading the way in the Big Ten is Rutgers junior Antwan Raymond (5-11, 205). In 2025, Raymond rushed for 1,241 yards, averaging 103 yards per game. He averaged 5.1 yards a carry and scored 13 touchdowns.
A danger every week for opponents is Ohio State sophomore Bo Jackson (6-0, 207). Last year, Jackson rushed for 1,090 yards, averaging 6.1 yards a carry. USC has not one but two strong running backs. They are sophomore King Miller (6-0, 215) and senior Waymond Jordan (5-10, 215). Miller rushed for 972 yards last year, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
The final two top backs in the Big Ten are Michigan junior Jordan Marshall (5-11, 215) and Minnesota senior Darius Taylor (6-0, 215). Marshall rushed for 932 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
SEC
The SEC counters with Ahmad Hardy and Kewan Lacy. The conference continues with Florida junior Jadan Baugh (6-1, 225) and Georgia junior Nate Frazier (5-0, 205). Last season, Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Frazier rushed for 947 yards, averaging 5.5 yards a carry.
Add Tennessee junior DeSean Bishop (5-10, 210) to the crop of good SEC backs. Last year Bishop rushed for 1,076 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry. He scored 16 touchdowns. Another outstanding running back in the SEC is a transfer. He is Texas junior Hollywood Smothers (5-11, 195). Smothers transferred to Austin from NC State. Last year, he rushed for 939 yards, averaging 5.9 yards a carry.
AC
The AC has two exciting running backs. The first one is North Texas junior Jahiem White (5-7, 187). White transferred to North Texas from West Virginia. The other interesting back in the AC is Army sophomore Godspower Nwawuihe (5-10, 211).
C-USA
The best running back in C-USA is Delaware senior Jo Silver (5-10, 200).
MAC
The MAC has three talented runners led by Akron senior Jordan Gant (5-10, 205). Last year, Gant rushed for 1,032 yards. The other two top backs in the MAC are Western Michigan senior Jalen Buckley (5-11, 210) and Toledo junior C.J. Miller (5-11, 230). WMU’s Buckley rushed for 1,003 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Pac-12
The Pac-12 is looking good with four outstanding running backs. Leading the foursome is San Diego State senior Lucky Sutton (6-1, 225). Sutton was lucky last year, rushing for 1,297 yards, averaging 100 yards a game. He averaged 5.1 yards a carry and scored 10 touchdowns. Boise State has two awesome running backs. They are junior Dylan Riley (5-10, 192) and sophomore Sire Gaines (6-0, 217). Riley rushed for 1,125 yards, averaging 5.8 yards a carry. He scored 10 touchdowns. Gaines rushed for 811 yards.
Last but not least in the Pac-12 is Washington State running back Kirby Vorhees (5-11, 207).
MWC
The best running back in the Mountain West is UNLV senior Jai’Den Thomas (5-9, 190). In 2025, Thomas rushed for 985 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He scored 12 touchdowns.
Sun Belt
The Sun Belt Conference has three exciting running backs. They are James Madison senior George Pettaway (5-10, 200), Old Dominion junior Devin Roche (5-7, 172) and Arkansas State junior Devin Spencer (5-10, 185).
TT’s Top 10 Favorite Running Backs at Preseason
1. Kewan Lacy – Ole Miss
2. L.J. Martin – BYU
3. Ahmad Hardy – Missouri
4. Cameron Dickey – Texas Tech
5. Jadan Baugh – Florida
6. Cam Cook – West Virginia
7. Nare Frazier – Georgia
8. Mark Fletcher – Miami
9. Jai’Den Thomas – UNLV
10. Dylan Riley – Boise State
However, I’m keeping my eye on
DeSean Bishop (Tennessee), Caleb Hawkins (Oklahoma State), Nate Sheppard (Duke), Bo Jackson (Ohio State), Jahiem White (North Texas), Jordan Gant (Akron), Lucky Sutton (San Diego State), and Antwan Raymond (Rutgers).
Where are they now?
With the transfer portal, it’s hard to keep up with the players these days. There were several interesting running back transfers that took place during the offseason.
Cam Cook – Jacksonville State to West Virginia
Caleb Hawkins – North Texas to Oklahoma State
Justice Haynes – Michigan to Georgia Tech
Hollywood Smothers – NC State to Texas
Jahiem White – West Virginia to North Texas
The Other Positions – 2026
Wide Receivers
Five of the nation’s 14 top receivers had more than 1,000 yards in receiving last year. They are Ohio State junior Jeremiah Smith (6-3,223), Oklahoma State junior Wyatt Young (6-0, 199), Miami sophomore Malachi Toney (5-11, 188), Rutgers junior K.J. Duff (6-6, 225) and Florida State senior Duce Robinson (6-6, 230).
Smith had 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Young had 70 catches for 1,264 yards and 10 TDs. Toney had 109 catches for 1,211 yards and 10 TDs. Duff had 60 catches for 1,084 yards and 7 TDs. And Robinson had 56 catches for 1,081 tards and 6 TDs.
Four other amazing receivers are Texas junior Cam Coleman (6-3, 200), Texas A&M junior Mario Craver (5-9, 165), Indiana junior Charlie Becker (6-4, 207), and Alabama junior Ryan Coleman-Williams (6-0, 182).
The final group of talented wide receivers are Houston senior Amare Thomas (6-0, 205), Indiana junior Nick Marsh (6-3, 213), Texas junior Ryan Wingo (6-2, 211), Oklahoma senior Isaiah Sategina (5-10, 185), and Clemson junior Bryant Wesco (6-2, 190).
Tight Ends
Of the four best tight ends in the country, two are from the Big Ten – Oregon junior Jamari Johnson (6-5, 255), and Penn State senior Benjamin Brahmer (6-7, 252). The other two come from the SEC and the Big 12 – LSU junior Trey’Dez Green (6-7, 237), and Texas Tech senior Terrance Carter (6-2, 245).
Centers
Of the five best centers in the country, two are from the Big Ten, two are from the Big 12, and one is from the SEC. From the Big Ten are Oregon senior Iapani Laloulu (6-2, 329), and Iowa junior Kade Pieper (6-4, 290).
From the Big 12 are BYU senior Bruce Mitchell (6-3, 305), and Texas Tech senior Sheridan Wilson (6-5, 300). From the SEC is Georgia senior Drew Bobo (6-5, 305).
Offensive Linemen (Guards and Tackles)
Thirteen of the country’s 17 best offensive linemen are from the Big Ten (7) and the SEC (6). Representing the Big Ten are Indiana senior Carter Smith (6-5, 313), Ohio State junior Austin Siereveld (6-5, 325), Iowa junior Trevor Lauck (6-5, 310), and Northwestern sophomore Ezomo Oratokhal (6-4, 310). Also, Minnesota senior Greg Johnson (6-5, 325), Washington sophomore John Mills (6-5, 335), and Ohio State senior Luke Montgomery (6-5, 312).
The six from the SEC are Texas junior Trevor Goosby (6-7, 325), Missouri senior Cayden Green (6-5, 324), and LSU junior Jordan Seaton (6-5, 307). Also, Tennessee senior Wendell Moe (6-2, 330), Georgia senior Earnest Greene (6-3, 320), and Ole Miss senior Patrick Kutas (6-6, 315).
Two Big 12 offensive linemen are among the best. They are Cincinnati junior Evan Tengesdahl (6-3, 323) and Houston senior Shadre Hurst (6-2, 295). The ACC is represented by SMU senior P.J. Williams (6-5, 313). And from Notre Dame is junior Anthonie Knapp (6-5, 304).
Defensive Linemen (Ends and Tackles)
Thirteen of the 18 best defensive linemen are from the SEC (7) and the Big Ten (6). From the SEC are Texas junior Colin Simmons (6-3, 245), Oklahoma junior David Stone (6-3, 315), South Carolina junior Dylan Stewart (6-5, 245), and Oklahoma junior Taylor Wein (6-4, 266). Also, LSU senior Princewill Umanmielen (6-4, 244), Ole Miss junior Will Echoles (6-3, 315), and Texas senior Hero Kanu (6-5, 321).
The six from the Big Ten are Michigan senior John Henry Daley (6-4, 255), Indiana senior Tyrique Tucker (6-0, 307), and Oregon senior A’Mauri Washington (6-3, 330). Also, Minnesota senior Anthony Smith (6-6, 285), Oregon senior Matayu Uiagalelei (6-5, 270), and Oregon senior Bear Alexander (6-3, 300).
The ACC has three of the best defensive linemen – Louisville senior Clev Lubin (6-3, 280), Miami senior Ahmad Moten (6-3, 300), and North Carolina senior Melkart Abou Jaoude (6-5, 260).
The Big 12 is represented by Texas Tech senior A.J. Holmes (6-3, 300). And Notre Dame has junior Boubacar Traore (6-5, 253).
Linebackers (Inside and Outside)
Thirteen of the 19 best linebackers in the country come from the SEC (8) and the Big Ten (5). From the SEC are Auburn junior Xavier Atkins (6-0, 210), LSU senior Whit Weeks (6-3, 233), Texas senior Rasheen Biles (6-1, 215), and Oklahoma senior Kip Lewis (6-1, 226). Also, Georgia senior Raylen Wilson (6-1, 235), Ole Miss senior Suntarine Perkins (6-2, 220), Alabama junior Yhonzae Pierre (6-3, 253), and Ole Miss senior Keaton Thomas (6-1, 240).
The five from the Big Ten are Indiana junior Rolijah Hardy (5-11, 227), Oregon senior Teitum Tuioti (6-3, 270), and Indiana senior Isaiah Jones (6-2, 225). Also, Iowa senior Zach Lutmer (6-6, 315) and Maryland senior Daniel Wingale (6-5, 230).
Among the other best linebackers, there are two each from the ACC, Big 12 and Notre Dame. From the ACC are Clemson junior Sammy Brown (6-2, 236) and Virginia senior Kam Robinson (6-2, 235). From the Big 12 are Texas Tech senior Ben Roberts (6-3, 245) and BYU senior Cade Uluave (6-1, 235). And from Notre Dame are junior Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (6-3, 230) and senior Drayk Bowen (6-2, 232).
Defensive Backs (Cornerbacks and Safeties)
Sixteen of the 21 best defensive backs in the country are from the SEC (9) and Big Ten (7). From the SEC are Georgia sophomore Ellis Robinson (6-0, 180), Georgia junior K.J. Bolden (6-0, 195), and Alabama senior Bray Hubbard (6-2, 217).
Also, Mississippi State junior Kelley Jones (6-4, 195), Texas A&M senior Marcus Ratcliffe (6-2, 209), and LSU sophomore D.J. Pickett (6-4, 189). And finally, Alabama senior Keon Sabb (6-1, 208), Alabama junior Zabien Brown (6-0, 194), and Texas senior Jelani McDonald (6-2, 200).
The seven from the Big Ten are Indiana senior Amare Ferrell (6-2, 200), Oregon sophomore Brandon Finney (6-2, 205), and Oregon junior Koi Perich (6-0, 190). Also, Michigan senior Jyaire Hill (6-2, 190), Indiana senior Jamari Sharpe (6-1, 188), Penn State junior Marcus Neal (6-1, 218), and Ohio State senior Earl Little (6-0, 198).
Notre Dame has three of the best defensive backs. They are junior Leonard Moore (6-2, 197), senior Adin Shuler (6-0, 202) and sophomore Tae Johnson (6-2, 200). The ACC is represented by Syracuse junior Chris Peal (6-1, 200). The Big 12 is represented by Texas Tech senior Brice Pollock (6-0, 195).
Kickers
Two of the four best placekickers in the country are from the SEC. They are Oklahoma senior Tate Sandell (5-9, 187) and Ole Miss senior Lucas Carneiro (5-11, 195). The other two are from the ACC and Big 12. They are Georgia Tech senior Aidan Birr (6-1, 205) and Texas Tech senior Stone Harrington (6-2, 200).
Punters
Two of the four best punters in the country are from the Big 12. They are Baylor senior Palmer Williams (6-2, 218) and West Virginia senior Bryan Hansen (6-3, 210). The other two are from the Sun Belt Conference and the ACC. They are Troy senior Evan Crenshaw (6-4, 190) and Duke junior Kade Reynoldson (6-2, 195).
The next CFW – Week 0 Forecast – will be posted Thursday morning, August 27.
Correction: In yesterday’s report on the quarterbacks, I inadvertently made a mistake. Writing about Julian Sayin and Arch Manning, I said Ohio State plays Texas during Labor Day Weekend. Actually, Ohio State plays Texas during Weekend Two – September 12. I corrected the error on the College Football Week Blog Site. Friend and CFW reader Eric Griggs called my attention to the error. For that, I am appreciative.
Touchdown Tom
August 21, 2026
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
