In any NFL Draft class, it’s always fun to try to predict which transfer prospects will take the league by storm. Over the last few years, players like Jayden Daniels, Jared Verse, Jahmyr Gibbs, Michael Penix Jr., and Ricky Pearsall have ridden the transfer portal to Round 1 capital.
Among the nation’s top running backs, specifically, there has been a lot of movement heading into the 2025 college football season. Power Four programs have scoured the FBS for up-and-coming contributors, and several playmakers will get the chance to prove themselves at a higher level.
Let’s break down five transfer RB prospects for next year’s draft who might be especially poised to take a leap in their new situations.
Transfer RBs To Watch for the 2026 NFL Draft
Fun fact — while the highly touted rushers get all the attention on draft day, late-round running backs have an even higher hit rate. Eleven of the NFL‘s projected starting running backs going into 2025 were either picked on Day 3 or undrafted.
It’s necessary to scan the entire nation for the best, and the transfer portal has made that much easier in recent years. Now, Group of Five and FCS standouts can find larger stages to solidify their standing. In the 2026 class, these under-the-radar transfers are on the way up.
Justice Haynes, Michigan
Michigan has had four running backs selected in the NFL Draft in the last five years. Justice Haynes has a strong chance to keep that momentum going after joining the Wolverines this offseason.
When you turn on the tape, you wonder why Haynes wasn’t given more of a chance at Alabama. He’s a steady ball carrier with impressive wide-zone vision out of the backfield. He’s tough after contact and can lower his shoulder through contact with the best of them. Haynes’ ability to adjust his tempo and find open running lanes is awe-inspiring.
What he lacks in elite breakaway athleticism, Haynes makes up for with ball-carrier vision and toughness. He’s a reliable runner in between the tackles who could shoot up draft boards if he breaks out in 2025.
CJ Campbell Jr., Rutgers
CJ Campbell Jr. broke out for 844 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns for Florida Atlantic last season, parlaying his momentum into a starting opportunity at Rutgers.
Campbell is one of the best RBs in the nation after contact; 4.01 of his 5.1 yards per carry came after contact last year. His low center of gravity helps him bounce off defenders, and it also allows him to change direction more easily in space. Campbell took on a significant role as a receiving back for FAU, catching 40 passes for 466 yards last year.
Campbell’s contact balance may not translate in the NFL due to his smaller frame, and he might not put up flashy testing numbers. That said, he’s a shifty back who can contribute at a high level in the passing game. He’ll firmly be on NFL Draft radars when it’s his time to graduate from college.
Dean Connors, Houston
One of the best receiving backs in college football, Dean Connors, made the jump to Houston after a successful tenure at Rice. Connors has had 105 receptions in the last two seasons, tallying 888 receiving yards in that span. He has a rare sense of how to adjust his routes to exploit soft spots against zone coverage. As a runner, he’s a patient back with good lateral quickness who can make defenders miss in space.
Rice was down 21-7 in the second quarter and stormed back to tie the game with this touchdown rush from Dean Connors.
Texas State added a field goal before the half to take a 24-21 lead heading into the locker room.
— Brendan Moore (@bmoorecfb) December 27, 2023
Admittedly, Connors might not have the elite speed or balance to make him an early-round back. But when you have a running back who’s as valuable an asset on passing downs as he is, your offense becomes much more dangerous. And that will have Connors in the conversation in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
This pick is cheating a bit. Coming off a short but successful stint at FCS school Western Carolina, Desmond Reid made the jump to Pittsburgh in 2024, not this offseason. The move paid off, nevertheless, as he was first-team All-ACC as a return specialist.
It’s the versatility that shines with Reid. He’s one of the best running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft class. His twitchy running style and breakaway speed help him pick up big yardage on the ground, but he can also create separation and YAC as a receiver out of the backfield.
At 5’8″ and 175 pounds, Reid is an undersized RB who lacks ideal play strength and contact balance. Running backs of his size rarely develop into bell-cow backs in the NFL. However, if you want an explosive weapon who can catch passes and return punts, Reid should be on your radar.
Ismail Mahdi, Arizona
It’s not often a player who once led the nation in all-purpose yards falls under the radar. However, that’s exactly what’s happening with Ismail Mahdi. Expect to hear his name much more as 2025 unfolds.
With 2,169 all-purpose yards in 2023, Mahdi was a versatile threat for Texas State. He combined for 2,322 rushing yards in his two seasons as the Bobcats’ starting RB. He’s a shifty runner who can change direction on a dime and vary his tempo to find the open running lane and explode through it accordingly.
Mahdi is a smaller back at 5’9″ and 180 pounds, which could lead to durability and power concerns in the NFL. He’ll need to prove he can produce as well at a Power Four school as he did at a Group of Five. If he puts up similar numbers at Arizona, though, Mahdi could be a riser in the 2026 NFL Draft.
