Nobody gets a Big 12 title without winning the line of scrimmage, and key to that agenda is a successful backfield. The league is set to return several big names to the running back position next fall, but who stands out above all?
After seeing seven running backs drafted last year, the Big 12 didn’t send a single rusher to the NFL via the 2026 draft with 38 total selections.
LJ Martin led the league and BYU with 1,305 ground yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Utah, of all teams, led the conference in total rushing with 3,462 total yards and three different rushers – NaQuari Rogers, Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin – with 10 or more rushing touchdowns.
The biggest difference between those two examples is that Utah largely met its rushing goals via the quarterback. Martin is the statistical leader amongst the league’s returning rushers, yes, but he forwent the NFL Draft process in favor of returning to BYU for his senior season – a decision becoming less common.
Let’s break down three Big 12 running backs, including Martin, that may very well break out and establish themselves as the league’s top rusher in 2026:
LJ Martin, BYU
Continuing with Martin, let’s consider just how much is working in the favor of a Cougars offense that loses two key offensive linemen, Weylin Lapuaho and Isaiah Jatta, to graduation. This offseason, BYU added 11 different players on the offensive side of the ball, including a new running back.
BYU’s spring roster features nine different rushers, including returning backs Raider Damuni and Lucky Finau, in a room led by Martin during the offseason. They also signed a true freshman, Devaughn Eka, from Lehi, Utah.
Bear Bachmeier, the leading candidate at quarterback ahead of true freshman signee Ryder Lyons, finished last season as the team’s second-leading rusher behind Martin with 527 yards and 11 touchdowns. It’s an effective combo, and one that becomes especially vital without key receiver Parker Kingston.
Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech
Given the Brendan Sorsby gambling news, it’s a good time to remind Texas Tech‘s fandom of a guy like Cameron Dickey.
Dickey led the Red Raiders on the ground in 2025 with 1,124 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, as well as 1,348 all-purpose yards and two more touchdowns through the air as the team chased down its first-ever College Football Playoff berth. No doubt, Dickey, in proper health, will be RB1 ahead of experienced backs J’Koby Williams and Quineten Joyner to help carry the load.
In two seasons as a Red Raiders, Dickey hasn’t recorded a single lost fumble and is looking at another 200-plus carry season away from making his case for the league.
Cam Cook, West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez went out and caught a winner with Jacksonville State transfer and last year’s FBS rushing leader, Cam Cook.
Cook tallied an insane 1,659 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as the country’s leading running back, and hit the transfer portal as a former four-star running back and the No. 24 rusher available this offseason.
Cook started his career at TCU in 2023, and transferred out after recording 460 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore. His explosion at Jacksonville State earned him Conference USA’s Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, and set the former Big 12 back up for another run at the Power Four level next fall.
