Preview season marches on! It’s time to take a look at the potential breakout P5 running backs in 2021. Some of these players are already somewhat established. Others will get there chance this year to make a big statement. Either way, these are P5 running backs that you need to know in 2021.
ACC
Will Shipley – Clemson
Shipley, a True Freshman and former 5
is a do-it-all back. He will contribute in both the rushing and passing attack. He’ll get many opportunities this fall to show off his talents.
Lawrance Toafili – FSU
Toafili impressed everyone in 2020 as a Freshman. He averaged an OUTSTANDING 9.6 yards per carry. He’s a dynamic player who rushed for 356 yards and 2 TDs and caught 12 passes for 120 yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs – Georgia Tech
Gibbs a former 4 recruit who decided to stay home in Georgia and made an immediate impact in 2020 as a True Freshman. He rushed for 460 yards and 4 TDs, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Gibbs also caught 24 passes for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Donald Chaney Jr – Miami
Chaney Jr was solid in 2020 as a Freshman, rushing for 332 yards and 3 TDs, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. He was also a contributor in the passing game with 11 catches for 143 yards.
D.J. Jones – UNC
Jones impressed me in 2020 as a Freshman. He only rushed for 65 yards and 1 TD, but he averaged 5.9 yards per carry. With more opportunities, he will be a name everyone learns.
Ronnie Walker Jr – UVA
Walker transferred back home to UVA from Indiana. The Hoos need a RB to step up this season and Walker could be that guy. In his career, he’s rushed for 287 yards and 2 TDs and has 12 receptions for 112 yards.
Jalen Holston – Virginia Tech
Holston is a physical RB who has a good combination of speed and strength. In his career, he’s rushed for 715 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 ypc. Expect a big season in 2021 for Holston.
Big Ten
Sampson James – Indiana
James was a big time pickup for the Hoosiers. The former 4 has rushed for 371 yards and 3 TDs in his career. He’s only a sophomore, so make sure to remember the name!
Tim Baldwin Jr – Indiana
Baldwin Jr has a bright future ahead. In 2020 as a Freshman, he rushed for 141 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Blake Corum – Michigan
Corum rushed for 74 yards and 2 Touchdowns in 2020 as a Freshman. He also caught 5 passes for 73 yards. He’s a powerful rusher with great lower body strength. He could be special!
TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State
Henderson is a 5 True Freshman who will make an immediate impact for Ohio State. He has the elusiveness, power, athleticism, and playmaking ability to immediately become one of the best RBs in CFB.
Jalen Berger – Wisconsin
Berger was a big time recruit for the Badgers. Last season as a Freshman, he rushed for 301 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 5 yards per carry. Berger has potential to be the next big time RB the Badgers produce.
Markese Stepp – Nebraska
Stepp was a big addition from USC. In his career, he’s rushed for 505 yards and 6 TDs, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Big 12
Jirehl Brock – Iowa State
Everyone knows about Breece Hall, but he will have a really good backup in 2021. Brock is a former 4-star who has all the tools to have an impressive season. In his career, he’s averaged 4.3 ypc.
PAC 12
B.J. Baylor – Oregon State
Baylor has big shoes to fill replacing Jermar Jefferson. But he has potential. In his career, he’s rushed for 381 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 4.7 ypc.
Michael Wiley – Arizona
Wiley has an opportunity to take over as the Wildcats RB1. He’s only a Sophomore, but has already showed a ton of potential. In his career, he’s rushed for 328 yards and 3 TDs, averaging 5.3 ypc. He’s also added 26 receptions for 128 yards.
Chip Trayanum – Arizona State
Trayanum impressed me last season as a Freshman. He rushed for 290 yards and 4 TDs, while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.
Micah Bernard – Utah
Bernard only rushed for 76 yards in 2020 as a Freshman, but he averaged 5.1 yards per carry. With more touches this season he could be a big time player for the Utes.
SEC
Kenny McIntosh – Georgia
McIntosh is part of a four headed monster at RB for the Dawgs. In his career, he’s rushed for 425 yards and 3 TDs, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He’s also a receiving threat having caught 11 passes for 114 yards.
Kendall Milton – Georgia
Milton is a physical specimen. In 2020 as a Freshman, he rushed for 193 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He also caught 1 pass for 22 yards.
Elijah Young – Missouri
Young averaged 7.8 yards per carry last season as a Freshman, but only had 10 attempts. With more opportunities in 2021, expect him to have a breakout campaign.
Marshawn Lloyd – South Carolina
Lloyd was ranked as the 5th best RB in the 2020 class, but missed last season with a torn ACL. If healthy in 2021, expect him to make a name for himself. Along with RB Kevin Harris they will be a dynamic duo.
Jabari Small – Tennessee
In 2020 as a Freshman, Small rushed for 117 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also caught 4 passes for 24 yards. 2021 could be a big breakout season for Jabari.
Jase Mcclellan – Alabama
McClellan has a ton of upside. Last season as a Freshman, he rushed for 245 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 10.7 yards per carry. Remember the name!
Jo’quavious Marks – Mississippi State
Marks showed a lot of potential in 2020 as a Freshman. He rushed for 312 yards and 3 TDs, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He’s also the leading returning receiver for the Bulldogs after catching 60 passes in 2020.
Henry Parrish Jr – Ole Miss
Parrish Jr is a good combination of speed and strength. In 2020 as a Freshman, he rushed for 263 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 4.7 ypc.
Devon Achane – Texas A&M
Achane was OUTSTANDING last season as a Freshman. He averaged 8.5 yards per carry, rushing for 364 yards and 4 TDs. Also, he also added a receiving TD. He could be a star!
Independents
Chris Tyree – Notre Dame
Tyree is an electrifying runner with great agility and quickness. Last season as a Freshman, he rushed for 496 yards and 4 TDs, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He also caught 8 passes for 65 yards.
