My favorite part of the “dead period” of the NFL offseason is using the summer months to prepare for next year’s NFL Draft. One of the most enjoyable parts of that is identifying potential breakout candidates at various positions.
When predicting breakout candidates, it’s essential to look for specific criteria. Some of these players may be first-year starters seizing a new opportunity to excel. Others may have shown intriguing tools in 2024 and could build on that in 2025.
Some of the top running backs in the NFL today had breakout years in college and immediately parlayed them into league success. Kenneth Walker III was a one-year starter at Michigan State. James Cook and Josh Jacobs were rotational backs in college. Who could be this year’s breakout stars?
Without further ado, here are some of the top breakout RB candidates for the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft’s Top Breakout Candidates at Running Back
Justice Haynes, Michigan
A five-star recruit out of high school, Justice Haynes joined Alabama with plenty of fanfare in 2023. It didn’t go as planned, though, as he faced stiff competition in the backfield –including from mobile quarterback Jalen Milroe.
After transferring to Michigan, Haynes has a great chance to redeem himself.
When you turn on the tape, you wonder why he wasn’t given more of a chance at Alabama. Haynes is a steady ball carrier with impressive wide-zone vision out of the backfield. He’s tough after contact and can lower his shoulder through with the best of them. His ability to adjust his tempo and find open running lanes is notable.
Heading into 2025, Haynes hasn’t had more than 500 rushing yards in a single collegiate season. Many scouts consider his breakaway speed rather average, limiting his upside as a big-play threat. That said, he’s a reliable back between the tackles with NFL starting upside if he can increase his production at Michigan.
CJ Baxter, Texas
The Texas Longhorns had a loaded backfield in 2023, with Jonathon Brooks leading the way with 1,139 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The second-leading rusher, however, wasn’t Keilan Robinson, who got drafted in the fifth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. It wasn’t the Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 fifth-round selection Jaydon Blue, nor was it last year’s 1,000-yard rusher Quintrevion Wisner.
That player was CJ Baxter, who dominated as a true freshman but suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason camp in 2024.
Keep your eyes on redshirt sophomore CJ Baxter at Texas. If he can return to form pre injury, he is going to be an awesome watch this year.
– Patient runner, stays behind his blocks.🔥 – Great burst to the hole.🔥 – Aggressive, with ideal balance.🔥@Cbaxter811 @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/TvP9Dpvcc9
— Newt Westen (@NFLDraft_Westen) May 20, 2025
Watching his 2023 tape, you see a 6-foot-1, 220-pound back who runs with as much power as you’d expect for his size. He’s a creative runner in space who can see the whole field, and he’s flexible as a zone-gap runner.
Baxter has an impressive short-area burst, though his breakaway speed is average. Being a taller back, he can be too high-hipped and struggle with changing direction. I see him as a strong 1A to a smaller, faster back’s 1B in the NFL, which has significant value.
If you want a rigid back who can deliver punishment up the middle, Baxter’s your guy in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Roman Hemby, Indiana
Roman Hemby has been productive in college, tallying 2,347 rushing yards in four seasons at Maryland. However, because of a pass-heavy offense, he didn’t get as much of a chance to prove his worth on the ground. Going to an Indiana team that ranked fifth among 18 Big Ten teams in rushing yards per game should help.
Hemby brings an intriguing mix of toughness and straight-line speed. A track athlete in high school, he accelerates quickly out of the backfield and can break away for significant gains. He churns his legs through contact to battle for extra yards.
He also enters 2025 as one of the most proven receiving backs in the nation, with 112 total receptions for 921 yards. That passing-down versatility should be enticing to NFL teams.
The upside isn’t sky high with Hemby, as he doesn’t change direction incredibly well. This limits his ability to make defenders miss and the depth of his route tree as a receiving back. I see him best as a committee back, but if Hemby tops 1,000 rushing yards for the first time, his stock could rise for the 2026 NFL Draft.
CJ Campbell Jr., Rutgers
A former backup at Florida State, CJ Campbell Jr. transferred to Florida Atlantic and became their leading rusher in 2024. He’ll look to parlay that success into the Big Ten, having transferred to Rutgers before the 2025 season.
Campbell is one of the best backs in the nation after contact; 4.01 of his 5.1 yards per carry came after contact last year. Campbell’s low center of gravity helps him bounce off defenders, and it also allows him to change direction more easily in space. He took on a major role as a receiving back for FAU, catching 40 passes for 466 yards last year.
Campbell is a little undersized at 205 pounds, and he’s quicker than he is fast, which could limit his big-play potential. I currently view him as a Day 3 talent this coming cycle, but that could change if he excels at Rutgers this season.
Rahsul Faison, South Carolina
The aforementioned Haynes was the highest-rated running back in the transfer portal this offseason. But right behind him was Rahsul Faison, who transferred from Utah State to South Carolina.
Faison accomplished a lot in his two years with the Aggies, most notably rushing for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. A physical running back, he thrives between the tackles with his 218-pound frame and tenacity. He also has good short-area burst and the vision to hit the open lane aggressively.
There are some major hurdles Faison must clear as a draft prospect. For one, he may not even be eligible to play in 2025. Time will tell if the NCAA grants him a sixth year of eligibility. Even then, he’s older for a prospect and will have just one year of Power Four tape at best. That said, he’s still a draftable player with legit NFL upside.
Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
After two successful FCS seasons at Western Carolina, Desmond Reid transferred to Pittsburgh and led the team in rushing in 2024. He returned a punt for a touchdown, caught 52 passes for 579 yards, and rushed for 966 yards.
With Reid, it’s the versatility that stands out. He’s one of the most exciting running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft class. His twitchy running style and breakaway speed help him rack up yardage on the ground, but he can also create separation and yards after the catch as a receiver.
Reid doesn’t enter the season with much NFL Draft fanfare. He’s small at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, which raises questions about his play strength and durability at the next level. But as a scatback who can make defenders miss, he’s one of the most entertaining RBs to watch in this class.