The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a thrilling one for running backs in the Big 12, with a mix of proven stars, intriguing transfers, and breakout candidates ready to make their mark. While the conference may have been overshadowed by the quarterback battles and defensive showdowns, the running backs are poised to deliver some memorable performances. Here's a look at the top 16 running backs in the Big 12, with a focus on the stars who could lead their teams to success.
The Established Stars
- LJ Martin, BYU
Martin is the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the driving force behind BYU's 12-win season. With 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, he finished the year 29 yards away from the top 10 in the country. As a senior, he has the opportunity to become BYU's all-time leading rusher. However, his health remains a concern, as he has been banged up several times in his career. If he can stay healthy, Martin could be the key to BYU's College Football Playoff aspirations.
- Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech
Dickey proved to be one of the top playmakers for the Red Raiders in 2025, earning All-Big 12 second-team honors. With 1,124 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, he led the league in rushing touchdowns and was second in scoring. Pairing him with fellow junior J'Koby Williams, who ran for 868 yards and six touchdowns, Texas Tech has the most explosive backfield in the Big 12.
- Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State
Hawkins was a scoring sensation for North Texas in 2025, averaging 13.4 points per game and finishing the year ranked fifth nationally in rushing yards. Following former coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State, Hawkins has the opportunity to show whether his skills translate to similar production at the power conference level. Can he and quarterback Drew Mestemaker give the Cowboys' offense the jolt it needs?
The Rising Stars
- Cam Cook, West Virginia
Cook had a breakout season at Jacksonville State, leading the nation in rushing yards and earning Conference USA Player and Newcomer of the Year honors. Reunited with his offensive line coach at Jacksonville State, Rick Trickett, Cook has the opportunity to bring that kind of production to West Virginia. Can he help the Mountaineers break through to the College Football Playoff?
- Wayshawn Parker, Utah
Parker had a standout year for the Utes in 2025, earning third-team All-Big 12 honors and finishing fourth in the league in rushing yards. With Utah replacing its entire starting offensive line, Parker could experience some growing pains. However, he has proven to be an explosive playmaker and could be relied on even more in 2026.
- Makhi Hughes, Houston
Hughes had a misstep in 2025, transferring to Oregon after two seasons at Tulane and redshirted after playing just four games. However, he ran for 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns over two years for the Green Wave and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection. If he can replicate that success at Houston, he'll be a valuable piece for a team on the rise.
The Transfer Targets
- Joe Jackson, Kansas State
Jackson had a solid but unspectacular season in 2025, then broke the school single-game rushing record with 293 yards and three touchdowns against Utah. As the premier back at Kansas State in 2026, he has the opportunity to build on that late-season surge. The Wildcats also added intriguing transfer options at running back, including Oklahoma State's Rodney Fields Jr. and Oregon transfer Jay Harris.
- Jeremy Payne, TCU
Payne feels like one of the best candidates for a breakout season among Big 12 running backs. Coming off a year where he led the Horned Frogs in rushing and had a standout performance in TCU's bowl win over USC, Payne is expected to have a surge in production under new offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis.
- Dawson Pendergrass, Baylor
Pendergrass was supposed to be a key figure in Baylor's offense in 2025, but he missed the entire year due to a foot injury. With Baylor's top back, Bryson Washington, transferring to Auburn, Pendergrass has the opportunity to take over as lead back. In the 2024 season, he ran for 671 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
The Underdogs
- Dylan Edwards, Kansas
Edwards looked like he would be the top back for Kansas State in 2025, but an injury situation hovered over him for much of the season. Staying in state and landing at Kansas, Edwards' speed makes him valuable as both a runner and a returner. At Kansas, he could be the solution to the Jayhawks' search for a lead rusher.
- Landen Chambers or Duke Watson, UCF
UCF is in the market for a starting running back, and Chambers and Watson are two incoming transfers who could fit that bill. Watson ran for over 600 yards as a true freshman at Louisville two years ago and led the country with an 8.9-per carry average. Chambers had a breakout 1,000-yard season at Central Arkansas a year ago and moved from the FCS level up to FBS.
- Zion Johnson, Cincinnati
The Bearcats are restocking at running back, with their top four rushers from a season ago no longer at Cincinnati. Johnson earned snaps late in the year and had a pair of solid games in November. With praise from media outlets after his spring camp showing, Johnson could be in line to take over the lead-back role.
- Kedrick Reescano, Arizona
Reescano has been a reliable backup for the Wildcats over the past two seasons, scoring a team-high nine rushing touchdowns in 2025 while excelling in short-yardage situations. Now, Reescano will have the opportunity to take over as the program's primary back. Arizona also has fellow senior Quincy Craig and Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts to provide depth at the position.
- Cameron Pettaway, Iowa State
Pettaway showed flashes as a redshirt freshman last year, including three games with 50 or more rushing yards. With a massive roster overhaul at Iowa State, Pettaway is one of several transfers who could take over as lead back. He will also bring his special teams skills to Ames, having led the country in kickoff return average a year ago.
- Kyson Brown, Arizona State
Brown had a short 2025 season due to injury, but when healthy, he has shown the potential to lead the Sun Devils backfield. Another candidate to be ASU's top back is Jason Brown Jr., who ran for 134 yards in the Sun Bowl, and Demarius Robinson.
- Richard Young, Colorado
The running game has been stagnant for Colorado under Deion Sanders, but Young brings SEC experience to a Big 12 program in need of a resurgence. With just over 200 rushing yards over three seasons in Alabama, Young has the opportunity to help Colorado turn things around.
In conclusion, the 2026 Big 12 running back landscape is a mix of proven stars, intriguing transfers, and breakout candidates. With a mix of explosive playmakers and reliable backups, the conference is poised to deliver some memorable performances this season. From the established stars to the underdogs, the running backs are ready to make their mark and lead their teams to success.
