Five Underrated Running Backs Heading into 2025 NFL Draft

The Big 12 is expected to have three players drafted in the top ten of the 2025 NFL draft, which is just over a week away now. Everyone has been focused on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, the former Colorado Buffaloes prospects, and for good reason.

Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, may be the best overall player in this draft class. In a weak quarterback class, Sanders is one of the top quarterback prospects available. Tetairoa McMillan, a former Arizona Wildcat wide receiver, is the highest-rated prospect at his respective position.

Those three players are going to be drafted early.

How about some of those Big 12 prospects who may be flying under the radar heading into the draft? This year’s running back class from the Big 12 deserves some love. Let’s take a look at five prospects who should hear their name called on day two or day three of the NFL draft.

Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

Cam Skattebo may be the first Big 12 running back taken in the 2025 NFL draft, but it seems like he continues to be underrated. Skattebo proved he can play at the highest level and capped his collegiate career in impressive fashion, winning Peach Bowl MVP despite his team’s loss. He finished that game with 284 total yards, including two rushing touchdowns, a two-point conversion, and a passing touchdown. Skattebo is an older prospect but should be able to compete for a starting spot right away as a three-down player. It all depends on where he lands, but he could be a standout rookie in the 2025 class.

Devin Neal (Kansas)

Devin Neal set many records at Kansas and showed he can be a difference-maker in the running and passing game. Neal’s slower 40-yard dash time at the combine may push him down some draft boards, but watching his film should put to bed any concerns teams may have about the player. Neal, like Skattebo, could compete for a starting spot in his rookie season given the right situation. He could also be used as a third-down back and be eased into a starting role if he is drafted to a situation where a starting running back is already set in place for the upcoming season.

Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)

Ollie Gordon could have been one of the top running backs in the 2024 NFL draft class but opted to come back for one more season with the Cowboys. Overall, he had a fantastic collegiate career but fell off last season. He may have some regrets about that, but now he has to move forward and try to create a career for himself at the next level. He’s projected to be an early down or short-yardage back, which will be helpful for whoever drafts him, but he won’t be as highly sought after as other running backs in this class.

Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)

Brooks was a workhorse for Texas Tech and ran for over 100 yards in 19 of 22 games he started in his final two seasons for the Red Raiders. He’s proven he can handle a high workload and be successful. His lack of pass protection and pass catching ability could hinder his usage at the next level, but like Gordon, should be able to find a place on a team looking for a back who can get them a few yards in short yardage situations with a chance to improve and expand his workload over his career.

D.J. Giddens (Kansas State)

Giddens may be the most underrated of all the Big 12 running backs in this class. Having one ofthe top Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) in this class certainly should help his draft stock. Duringhis career as a Wildcat, he showcased his ability to run hard between the tackles, breakingmany tackles along the way, as well as making plays as a receiver out of the backfield. Giddenscould be a nice surprise for any NFL team that drafts him.

Honorable Mention: RJ Harvey, UCF

Yes, and under-the-radar running back in the under-the-radar running back group! Harveyseems to be forgotten among the Big 12 running backs slated to be drafted, and he could end upturning a lot of heads at the next level. His incredible 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns made animpressive close to his collegiate career, and there should be more hype around Harvey.We’ll see where all of these guys end up, but it should be an exciting few days to close out thedraft for these Big 12 running back prospects.

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