The dust has (mostly) settled from the spring transfer portal and we’re less than 100 days until kickoff of the 2024 season. As the calendar turns to June, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football takes stock at each position room at the 13 FBS programs to provide a feel for how each stack up relative to conference strength. We provide explanations for our top five and then list 6-13 below starting with the running back room. 

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: QB

RUNNING BACK ROOMS 

1. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 

The players: Tahj Brooks (Sr.), Cam’Ron Valdez (Jr.), Cameron Dickey (Fr.)

The outlook: Brooks is the top running back in Texas and a big reason why the Red Raiders are dark horse candidates to win the Big 12. He’s a tough, bruising running back who rarely is tackled by first contact. Valdez provides a great change of pace. Dickey, an Austin native who played multiple positions in high school, was the buzz of spring practice. 

2. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

The players: Le’Veon Moss (Jr.), Amari Daniels (Sr.), Rueben Owens (Soph.) 

The outlook: Daniels ran for 532 yards and six touchdowns last year. Moss added 484 and five scores. Owens took some time as a true freshman before ending the year with 385 yards and three touchdowns. Few programs in America field three starting level running backs as good as Texas A&M. There might not be a true headliner (though Owens could become that as a sophomore) but the three-headed monster should excel under Collin Klein. 

3. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

The players: C.J. Baxter (Soph.), Jaydon Blue (Jr.) Tre Wisner (Soph.) 

The outlook: Texas deserves the benefit of the doubt at the running back position while Tashard Choice oversees the room. The Longhorns seamlessly replaced Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson in 2023, and they’ll need to pull the same trick without Jonathon Brooks. The good news for the burnt orange faithful is that Baxter and Blue picked up the slack in the tail end of 2023 when Brooks suffered an injury that cost him the Doak Walker Award.

4. SMU MUSTANGS 

The players: Jaylan Knighton (Sr.), LJ Johnson (Jr.), Camar Wheaton (Jr.)

The outlook: The stable of running backs return for the Ponies in 2024 as they head into Power Four waters as ACC members. The running back rooms shouldn’t struggle to adjust, however. Knighton began his career at Miami while Johnson (Texas A&M) and Wheaton (Alabama) were members of SEC teams. 

5. BAYLOR BEARS 

The players: Dominic Richardson (Sr.), Dawson Pendergrass (Soph.), Richard Reese (Jr.), Bryson Washington (R-Fr.) 

The outlook: Don’t let the overall rushing numbers for Baylor in 2023 fool you – these Bears have talent in the backfield. All four of their top backs averaged over 4.2 yards a carry. Pendergrass was a revelation as a freshman. Reese suffered from a sophomore slump after a stellar 2022. Richardson, a former Arkansas transfer, is the most consistent and durable of the bunch. Washington is a name to remember in 2024. 

BEST OF THE REST 

6. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS

Ish Maudi is arguably the best all-purpose back in Texas. Add a healthy Lincoln Pare and UTEP transfers Deion Hankins and Torrance Burgess Jr. and I can hear an argument that the Bobcats should be fifth instead of Baylor.   

7. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

Expect the Roadrunners to pound the rock as they transition quarterbacks. The running back room is deep with the likes of Kevorian Barnes and Rocko Griffin back. 

8. HOUSTON COUGARS 

All four of Houston’s leading rushers from 2023 return. Parker Jenkins was awesome as a true freshman. 

9. TCU HORNED FROGS 

Depth is a concern, but Cam Cook was tremendous during the spring and should be RB1 for the Frogs. 

10. RICE OWLS 

Dean Connors is a stud. 

11. SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS 

Running back could be a strength for the Bearkats in 2024 if Zach Hrbacek is healthy and can team with John Gentry. 

12. NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN 

The running back room went from strength to question mark because of the portal and injuries. 

13. UTEP MINERS

New faces must step up for the Miners in the run game.