Phil Steele releases top 10 draft-eligible running backs

The college football season is less than two months away and preseason magazines have hit the shelves breaking down the upcoming year. College football reporter Phil Steele has released his in-depth preview for the 2023 season, which includes the top 10 draft-eligible running backs.

Steele has some obvious choices, such as Michigan star Blake Corum. But the list also includes a few surprises who some in the country may not know all that much about.

Here is a look at who Phil Steele has as the top 10 draft-eligible running backs entering the 2023 college football season:

1. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Steele has a Big Ten running back atop his list but it’s not Corum, who is the leading returning rusher in the Big Ten. Instead it’s Allen, who also had an incredibly impressive season in 2022. Allen rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 scores last year, while playing in 12 games.

Allen topped the 100-yard mark seven times in those 12 games and has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons. He should once again be a force in 2023 and should be running behind an excellent Wisconsin offensive line.

2. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, Arkansas

The top returning running back in the SEC, Sanders put up impressive numbers in 2022, finishing with 1,443 rushing yards, while starting all 13 games for the Razorbacks. He has a unique blend of size and speed, which makes him tough for opposing teams to slow down.

Sanders averaged 111 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry in 2022. With KJ Jefferson also back, Arkansas has a chance to be a pleasant surprise in the SEC West. Like Wisconsin, the Razorbacks also have an excellent offensive line.

3. Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum got banged up late last season, but when he was healthy, he was nearly unstoppable. The Virginia native rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022, despite missing the final 2.5 games of the season. Corum tied a Michigan record with five touchdowns against UConn and a week later put up 243 rushing yards on Maryland.

He is fast, powerful and has elite vision. Corum was named the Michigan MVP for the 2022 season after leading the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff. He and Donovan Edwards, who makes an appearance later in the list, are why the Wolverines have arguably the top running back group in the country.

4. Trey Benson, Florida State

Florida State had one of the best rushing attacks in the country in 2022, and Benson was a big part of the reason why. The Oregon transfer rushed for 990 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season in Tallahassee, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He is a physical runner who is more than capable of breaking tackles and can also run away from you in the open field.

With Treshaun Ward off to Kansas State, Benson should have even more opportunities in 2023. A lot is made about Jordan Travis, Johnny Wilson and the FSU passing game — and rightfully so. But don’t sleep on Benson and the Seminoles rushing attack.

5. Will Shipley, Clemson

Shipley is one of the most dynamic players in the country as he has proven that he can make plays in the running game, passing game and as a kick returner. The North Carolina became the first player in ACC history to earn first-team all-conference honors at three different positions in 2022, earning all-league honors as a running back, all-purpose player and return specialist.

Shipley started all 14 games for the Tigers last season. He rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught 38 passes for 242 yards and returned 14 kickoffs for 324 yards. Will Shipley should excel in new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley‘s system. He and Phil Mafah should provide an excellent 1-2 punch.

6. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Henderson is an absolute load to bring down. The Virginia native battled injuries for most of last year and played in only eight games, but he is without a doubt one of the most talented backs in the country.

Henderson rushed for only 571 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, but he did top the 100-yard mark against Big Ten opponents Wisconsin and Michigan State. He really showed what he is capable of as a freshman in 2021, rushing for 1,248 yards and totaling 19 touchdowns. If he can stay healthy in 2023, Henderson should look more like his freshman self this fall.

7. Roman Hemby, Maryland

Sticking with the Big Ten, Steele has Hemby up next on his list. He doesn’t get as much attention as others in the league, but Hemby quietly had an impressive redshirt freshman season. Hemby finished third among all FBS freshman in yards from scrimmage with 1,287, including 989 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Roman Hemby should be one of the top players on a Maryland offense that has a chance to be really good in 2023, with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa also back.

8. Ja’Quinden Jackson, Utah

A converted quarterback, Jackson put up big numbers when he was taking hand offs in 2022. The Texas transfer topped the 100-yard mark twice last season, rushing for 117 yards against Colorado and 105 against USC. His 13 carries for 105 yards and two scores were a big part of the Utes beating Southern Cal in the Pac-12 title game.

Jackson lined up at quarterback, running back and on special teams in 2022 and made plays at all three spots. However, his future appears to be at running back after what he did when given the opportunity last season.

9. Kendall Milton, Georgia

Milton finished third on the Bulldogs team in rushing in 2022 and only started one of the 13 games he appeared in. However, that doesn’t speak to his talent. The Bulldogs very much believe in a running back-by-committee approach. It’s hard to argue with the results as Georgia has won each of the past two national titles.

With Kenny McIntosh off to the NFL, expect Milton to get more opportunities this season. He should have a big year after rushing for 595 yards and averaging 7 yards per carry a season ago.

10. Donovan Edwards, Michigan

The second Michigan running back on Steele’s list, Edwards made the most of his opportunities in 2022, particularly after Corum went down with an injury. The rising junior rushed for 991 yards, while averaging 7.1 yards per carry last season, despite only starting three games.

He put up an impressive 216 yards at Ohio State, leading the Wolverines to a victory and a spot in the Big Ten championship game. Edwards could have transferred elsewhere for the 2023 season and received a bigger work load, but he opted to stay at Michigan and team up with Corum to form the best running back duo in the country.

As you can see, there are plenty of talented draft-eligible running backs for the 2023 season. Phil Steele has Braelon Allen at No. 1, but there are no shortage of contenders for the top spot. Which back ultimately goes first in the 2024 NFL Draft will be determined based on how they play this fall.