Three Future Big 12 Running Backs Make PFF’s Highest Grades of 2023
The Big 12 has become one of the premier leagues in the country when it comes to running back play. The conference has secured each of the last two Doak Walker Awards with Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II winning the award in 2023 and Texas’ Bijan Robinson winning it in 2022.
It’s not a top-heavy league when it comes to the position though, as there was terrific depth at the position. Three of the top six and six of the top 20 rushers in the country played in the Big 12 this season, With Gordon’s 1,732 yards pacing all of FBS.
- Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State, 1,732 yards (1st)
- Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech, 1,538 yards (4th)
- RJ Harvey, UCF, 1,416 yards (6th)
- Devin Neal, Kansas, 1,280 yards (16th)
- DJ Giddens, Kansas State, 1,226 yards (19th)
- Emani Bailey, TCU, 1,209 yards (20th)
Emani Bailey is the only player on that list not set to return in 2024, meaning the league will once again have the best collection of talent at the running back position in the country. However, there are even more players that aren’t on that list that will turn heads next season.
According to PFF, three of the nation’s 10 highest-graded running backs from this season will be in the new-look Big 12.
Arizona’s Jonah Coleman led the way with a 90.9 grade in the 2023 season and was a vital part of the Wildcats’ offensive attack. This past season he turned 128 carries for 871 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and five touchdowns, adding 25 receptions for 283 yards and one score through the air.
Tahj Brooks is next with a 90.1 offensive grade from PFF, and is coming off a 1,538-yard, 10-touchdown season with Texas Tech in 2023.
The final player on the list is freshman phenom Jahiem White, who set Morgantown on fire in his first season at West Virginia. Despite logging just 109 carries on the season and being behind CJ Donaldson for the first half of the season, White led the Mountaineers with 842 yards (7.7 yards per carry) and also turned in four scores on the ground.
With a bevy of returning stars at the position, the Big 12 will have some extremely exciting players at running back yet again in 2024.
