Jim Nagy and the staff at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl have compiled a thrilling group of running backs to compete in Mobile. With a limited shelf life for NFL running backs, multiple teams will be sure to pluck a new rusher from the 2022 NFL Draft class. With no standout prospect in the mold of last year’s first-round pick, Najee Harris, these running backs at the Senior Bowl have an excellent opportunity to enhance their stock in Mobile.
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2022 Senior Bowl Running Backs
The National Team running backs at the 2022 Senior Bowl will be coached by the New York Jets. Last year, the Jets snagged North Carolina’s Michael Carter Jr. in the fourth round of the NFL Draft after he impressed during the Senior Bowl.
The American Team running backs will be led by the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff in Mobile. In addition to the traditional backs, the American roster contains FB/TE Connor Heyward out of Michigan State.
Note: Georgia’s James Cook and Michigan’s Hassan Haskins withdrew from the Senior BowlÂ
National Team
- Rachaad White | Arizona State
- Hassan Haskins | Michigan
- Tyler Badie | Missouri
- Abram Smith | Baylor
- Jerome Ford | Cincinnati
American Team
- Brian Robinson Jr. | Alabama
- D’Vonte Price | Florida International
- Dameon Pierce | Florida
- James Cook | Georgia
- ZaQuandre White | South Carolina
Top Senior Bowl Running Backs
The National Team running backs at the Senior Bowl are led by Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford. After playing second fiddle to Gerrid Doaks for the Bearcats last year, Ford had a breakout year, tallying 1,319 yards at 6.1 yards per carry and 19 touchdowns. He’s been dubbed as the fastest Ford in the US (mainly by me), but the Cincinnati rusher also shows patience and runs with physicality. Ford is the top-ranked running back at the Senior Bowl on our consensus big board, ranking 76th overall and the RB4 of the class.
Although the National Team houses our highest-rated running back in Mobile, the American Team at the Senior Bowl features a running back who contested in the CFP National Championship. Brian Robinson Jr. (Alabama) ranks as the 101st overall prospect — the RB8 of our consensus big board. Robinson is a bruiser between the tackles, winning with physicality and excellent contact balance.
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If you’re looking for an RB riser at the 2022 Senior Bowl, the National Team is the place to look.
Arizona State running back Rachaad White is currently the 111th-ranked overall prospect on our consensus big board. However, I personally have him listed as the RB5 of the class. The Sun Devils’ sensation is a smooth operator at the RB position. Furthermore, he’s one of — if not the — best pass-catching back in the class.
Running back talent throughout the Senior Bowl rosters
Missouri’s Tyler Badie (140th overall, RB11) has a great opportunity to elevate his standing in this class at the Senior Bowl. Badie doesn’t receive enough attention in this class, despite rushing for 1,612 yards at 6.0 yards per carry and 20 touchdowns. He’s a patient runner who possesses explosion and elusiveness.
Don’t sleep on Florida RB Dameon Pierce at the Senior Bowl. He’s currently the 155th-ranked overall prospect on our big board. However, PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has a top-100 ranking on Pierce. He might lack the standout production of some of the backs in Mobile, but Pierce has the makings of a three-down running back in the NFL. The Florida back is physical as a rusher, strong in protection, and an advanced pass catcher.
Abram Smith and D’Vonte Price both bring an element of power to the RB rooms at the Senior Bowl. They possess impressive lower body strength that they put to good use between the tackles as potent north-and-south runners. Smith currently ranks as the RB19 in the class, with Price at RB23 on our consensus board. Both have the opportunity to elevate their stock with strong performances at the Senior Bowl.
Update:Â In the roster lists distributed to media ahead of the 2022 Senior Bowl, Michigan running back Haskins was absent alongside several other accepted invitees. Haskins exited the Orange Bowl defeat to Georgia with an injury, which could explain his absence. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s ZaQuandre White was added to the American Team roster after averaging 6.6 yards per carry during his senior season for the Gamecocks.
