Top 10 highest graded returning Big Ten Running backs ft. Oregon’s Jordan James
There will be a number of returning Big Ten running backs featured during the 2024 college football season. Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington will also be joining the Big Ten this year after their departure from the Pac-12 Conference.
These four new programs will bring more competition for the top running back in the conference. Here is a look at the top 10 highest-graded returning Big Ten running backs ahead of the 2024 season, according to PFF College.
Also Read: 10 highest graded returning SEC running backs ft. Trevor Etienne
Top 10 highest graded returning Big Ten running backs in 2024
#10. Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams, Michigan State
Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams will be joining the Michigan State running back room alongside Nate Carter. Lynch-Adams transferred to Michigan State following his first two seasons at Rutgers and three seasons at UMass.
He posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023 and added 12 rushing touchdowns.
#9. Jo'Quavious Marks, USC
Jo'Quavious Marks will be one of the top returning Big Ten running backs as a member of the USC Trojans this season. Marks is expected to take over the starting spot in the backfield ahead of Quinten Joyner and A'Marion Peterson.
Marks is entering his fifth season of college football after four seasons with Mississippi State. He ran for a total of 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns during his time with the Bulldogs.
#8. Tawee Walker, Wisconsin
Former Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker is transferring to Wisconsin to join Chez Mellusi in the Badgers' running back room.
This returning Big Ten running back played two seasons at Oklahoma and posted 513 rushing yards with seven touchdowns last season.
#7. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins is ranked seventh among returning Big Ten running backs by PFF College after transferring to Ohio State from Ole Miss. He led the Rebels in rushing the last two seasons and has 2,725 career rushing yards with 31 career rushing touchdowns.
Judkins will now join TreVeyon Henderson in the Buckeyes backfield to form one of the top running back rooms in the country.
#6. Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Kaytron Allen is a returning Big Ten running back who will be back for his third season with Penn State in 2024.
Allen ran for a career-high 902 yards last season and added six touchdowns. Allen and Nicholas Singleton will both return to Penn State's backfield to split carries for the second straight season.
#5. Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Darius Taylor will be another returning Big Ten running back after leading the Gophers in rushing yards last season.
2023 was Taylor's freshman season, and he ran for 799 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries in the six games he appeared in.
#4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson led the Buckeyes in rushing last season and will be one of the top returning Big Ten running backs this season.
Henderson ran for 926 yards with 11 touchdowns last season and added 229 receiving yards. It was the second time in three seasons at Ohio State that Henderson finished the season with over 1,000 yards of total offense.
#3. Jonah Coleman, Washington
Jonah Coleman ranks as one of the highest-graded returning Big Ten running backs after transferring to Washington from Arizona this year.
Coleman ran for 871 yards last season with five touchdowns and added 283 receiving yards. Coleman will join Cameron Davis and Will Nixon in the Huskies backfield, who are both returning to the team for another season.
#2. Jordan James, Oregon
Oregon running back Jordan James will be returning to the program for another season in 2024.
James will take over for Bucky Irving as the Ducks lead back after rushing for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He ranked first in the Pac-12 with 7.1 rushing yards per attempt during the 2023 season and also tallied 132 yards receiving.
#1. Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Rutgers Kyle Monangai is PFF College's top-rated returning Big Ten running back after rushing for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Monangai will be going into his fifth season with Rutgers after having a career year in 2023.
Monangai led the Big Ten in rushing yards last season and ranked second in the conference with 1,340 yards from scrimmage.
Do you agree with PFF College's grading of returning Big Ten running backs? Let us know your opinions in the comments section.
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