We start our position breakdown series today with the offensive backfield. We came up with the 10 best offensive backfields (quarterbacks and running backs, starters and key reserves), as well as the top backfield in each league (if it is not mentioned in the top 10) and the top transfer class.



The teams that rank first and second should not be a surprise. Both have legit Heisman candidates at quarterback and running back.



<h2>10. Kentucky</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/will-levis-120894/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Levis</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/chris-rodriguez-22394/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Rodriguez Jr.</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/deuce-hogan-35725/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deuce Hogan</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ramon-jefferson-142278/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ramon Jefferson</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kavosiey-smoke-71513/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kavoisey Smoke</a> The buzz: The bet here is Levis making noticeable improvement. He accounted for 33 TDs last season (24 passing, nine rushing). But while he is considered a first-rounder in most 2023 mock NFL drafts, he threw 13 interceptions and passed for more than 178 yards in just one SEC game last season. Rodriguez is coming off a 1,379-yard season and is a physical runner with an impressive burst. But he had off-field issues earlier this year and <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/chris-rodriguez-sec-media-days-kentucky-football-mark-stoops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potentially could miss some games</a>. Jefferson was a 1,000-yard rusher last season for FCS Sam Houston State and originally transferred to Colorado. But <a href="https://gazette.com/sports/cu-buffs/grad-transfer-running-back-decommits-from-colorado-wont-join-buffs-this-summer/article_8519cc0e-d88d-11ec-b767-5f512772c57a.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he reversed course</a>, waited a few months, then chose UK in late June. He began his career at Maine before moving on to SHSU and now Kentucky. Smoke ran for 416 yards last season. Hogan is a transfer from Iowa.



<h2>9. Utah</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cameron-rising-18045/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cameron Rising</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tavion-thomas-110591/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tavion Thomas</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ja'quinden-jackson-141932/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JaQuinden Jackson</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/micah-bernard-87131/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Micah Bernard</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaylon-glover-59105/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaylon Glover</a> The buzz: Rising took over as the starter in Game 4 last season and led the Utes to the Pac-12 title and their first Rose Bowl berth. Rising is a tough-minded quarterback who doesn’t make many mistakes with his arm and can hurt opponents with his legs, too. Thomas also started last season as a backup before emerging as a workhorse and an 1,100-yard rusher. He rushed for 21 TDs, third-most nationally. How coaches divvy up carries behind Thomas will be interesting. Glover is a tough, 5-foot-7 true freshman who wowed folks during the spring. Jackson is a former national top-100 recruit in the 2020 class.



<h2>8. Oklahoma</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dillon-gabriel-37002/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dillon </a><a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dillon-gabriel-37002/">Gabriel</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/eric-gray-42130/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Gray</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/davis-beville-32352/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Davis Beville</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jovantae-barnes-68310/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jovantae Barnes</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marcus-major-82817/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marcus Major</a> The buzz: Gabriel is going to have some of the best quarterback numbers in the nation this season; he throws an especially nice deep ball. Beville, a transfer from Pitt, heads an underwhelming cast of backup quarterbacks. Gray was solid last season after transferring from Tennessee and needs to play a bigger role in the offense this season. Barnes is a talented freshman. Major has talent, too, if he can stay healthy.



<h2>7. Georgia</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/stetson-bennett-iv-108660/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stetson Bennett</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kendall-milton-72773/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kendall Milton</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/carson-beck-18711/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carson Beck</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kenny-mcintosh-73336/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenny McIntosh</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/daijun-edwards-27910/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daijun Edwards</a> The buzz: Is Bennett an elite quarterback? No. But he guided Georgia to a national title last season, understands his strengths and weaknesses and makes excellent use of his tight ends; he also threw 29 TD passes in 2021, fourth-most in a season in school history. Milton and McIntosh form a potent duo at tailback, and Edwards is talented for a third-stringer, as well.



<h2>6. Michigan</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cade-mcnamara-16629/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cade McNamara</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/blake-corum-10804/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blake Corum</a> Backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/j.j.-mccarthy-50402" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J.J. McCarthy</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/donovan-edwards-38163/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donovan Edwards</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tavierre-dunlap-110570/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taviere Dunlap</a> The buzz: McNamara led Michigan to the Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth last season, but McCarthy actually may have more upside. That is one of the three most interesting <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/college-football-10-quarterback-battles-to-watch-as-camps-begin-to-open/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">camp quarterback battles</a> (along with LSU’s and Texas A&M’s). Corum teamed with Hassan Haskins (now in the NFL) to give Michigan a potent rushing attack last season; there will be zero drop-off with a Corum-Edwards duo this season. Dunlap is a physical, between-the-tackles guy.



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<h2>5. UCLA</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dorian-thompson-robinson-38596/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dorian Thompson-Robinson</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zach-charbonnet-122635/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zach Charbonnet</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ethan-garbers-42937/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ethan Garbers</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/keegan-jones-144157/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keegan Jones</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/deshun-murrell-35489/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deshun Murrell</a> The buzz: The starting duo is excellent. This will be Thompson-Robinson’s fourth year as a starter and he is quite comfortable in Chip Kelly’s offense. While he can improve as a passer, he is a dangerous runner. Charbonnet, who began his career at Michigan, is underrated nationally and thrived last season, his first in Kelly’s offense. There are some questions about the backups, though.



<h2>4. Texas</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/quinn-ewers-97493/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quinn Ewers</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bijan-robinson-10359/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bijan Robinson</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/hudson-card-48300/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudson Card</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/roschon-johnson-142411/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roschon Johnson</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/keilan-robinson-71944/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keilan Robinson</a> The buzz: While there are at least a few questions about quarterback, there are zero questions about the running backs. The Robinson-Johnson-Robinson trio might be the best in the nation. As good as Bijan is, Johnson is <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/five-lesser-hyped-big-12-players-with-strong-2023-nfl-draft-grades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an early-round NFL draft prospect</a>, too, and he needs at least 12 or so touches a game. Ewers has big-time arm talent, but a lack of experience is a concern. He skipped his senior year of high school and didn’t throw a pass last year at Ohio State.



<h2>3. USC</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/caleb-williams-17251/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caleb Williams</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/travis-dye-114557/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Travis Dye</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/miller-moss-89771/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miller Moss</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/austin-jones-142931/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Austin Jones</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/darwin-barlow-31133/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darwin Barlow</a> The buzz: Williams (from Oklahoma), Dye (Oregon) and Jones (Stanford) are transfers. Moss played in two games last season, when Barlow was the Trojans’ third-string running back. Williams has immense talent and is comfortable in coach Lincoln Riley’s offense. He has some rough edges, but it shouldn’t take long to smooth them over. Dye already is an established star in the Pac-12; he is the fifth-leading rusher in Oregon history, and his receiving ability should be put to god use by Riley. Jones and Barlow are more-than-able complements.



<h2>2. Alabama</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bryce-young-15984/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryce Young</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jahmyr-gibbs-53035/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jahmyr Gibbs</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jalen-milroe-54407/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jalen Milroe</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/trey-sanders-116221/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trey Sanders</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jase-mcclellan-57326/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jase McClellan</a> The buzz: Young, of course, is the reigning Heisman winner, and is trying to become just the second player in history to win the Heisman twice. One thing to watch: Alabama’s receiving corps doesn’t appear to be as good as last season’s, but that shouldn’t be a big deal. Gibbs, a transfer from Georgia Tech, is better than predecessor Brian Robinson. He is a speedy back who can take it the distance on any play, and also is a good receiver. There is a deep group of running backs, with Sanders potentially healthy for the first time in his Tide career. Milroe was a national top-100 recruit in 2021.



<h2>1. Ohio State</h2>



Starters: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cj-stroud-23666/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C.J. Stroud</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/treveyon-henderson-115512/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TreVeyon Henderson</a> Key backups: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kyle-mccord-76778/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyle McCord</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/miyan-williams-90043/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miyan Williams</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/evan-pryor-43376/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evan Pryor</a> The buzz: Stroud put up big numbers last season with the best receiving corps in the nation. Even with two first-rounders gone from the receiving room, don’t expect much of a drop-off. Henderson showed big-time ability as a true freshman last season and should be even better this fall. Williams is a good No. 2, and Pryor is a solid No. 3. McCord has a big-time ceiling, and gives this backfield the edge over Alabama’s.



<h2>Other leagues</h2>



AAC East Carolina: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/holton-ahlers-48197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holton Ahlers</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/keaton-mitchell-71697/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keaton Mitchell</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rahjai-harris-97994/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rahjai Harris</a> The buzz: Ahlers will be a fifth-year starter; he has a nice arm but must cut down on his picks. The speedy Mitchell is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and Harris has rushed for 1,203 yards in two seasons.



ACC Miami: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyler-van-dyke-118203/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyler Van Dyke</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaylan-knighton-58777/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaylan Knighton</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/henry-parrish-48016/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henry Parrish</a> The buzz: UM’s backfield would rank 11th on this list, just behind Kentucky’s. Van Dyke is a standout in a league filled with big-time quarterbacks. Miami’s rushing attack was a big disappointment last season, but Parrish’s transfer from Ole Miss should help spice up the ground game this season. Finding enough carries for all the backs will be an interesting storyline all season.



Conference USA UAB: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dylan-hopkins-39932/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dylan Hopkins</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dewayne-mcbride-36689/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DeWayne McBride</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jermaine-brown-60692/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jermaine Brown Jr.</a> The buzz: McBride, who is <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/most-explosive-players-in-college-football-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one of the nation’s most explosive players</a>, and Brown combined for 2,002 yards and 20 TDs last season. Hopkins was excellent down the stretch last season; will that carry over?



Mid-American Central Michigan: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/daniel-richardson-29423/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Richardson</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/lew-nichols-iii-79371/">Lew Nichols III</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/marion-lukes-83278/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marion Lukes</a> The buzz: Nichols led the nation in rushing last season (1,848 yards), and Richardson has 3,000-yard potential; he threw 24 TD passes in 2021.



Mountain West Fresno State: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jake-haener-53509/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jake Haener</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jordan-mims-65767/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jordan Mims</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jevon-bigelow-61445/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jevon Bigelow</a> The buzz: Haener, who threw for 4,096 yards last season, will be at the helm of one of the nation’s most productive pass offenses. Mims moves from key backup to potential (likely?) 1,000-yard rusher.



Sun Belt Appalachian State: QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/chase-brice-20591/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chase Brice</a>, RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/nathaniel-noel-91749/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nate Noel</a>, backup RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/camerun-peoples-18206/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camerun Peoples</a>. The buzz: Brice, who also has played at Clemson and Duke, threw for 3,337 yards and 27 TDs last season. Noel and Peoples basically are interchangeable and a devastating 1-2 punch; they combined for 2,052 yards and 18 TDs in 2021.



<h2 id="h-the-three-best-backfield-transfer-classes">The three best backfield transfer classes</h2>



3. Washington, with QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/michael-penix-jr.-88185" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Penix Jr.</a> (Indiana) and RB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/aaron-dumas-453/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aaron Dumas</a> (New Mexico) and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/wayne-taulapapa-120279/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wayne Taulapapa</a> (Virginia). The buzz: A new coaching staff gave the backfield a makeover; Penix seems a for-sure starter, and don’t be surprised if Dumas is the leading rusher. More important is that the new staff has a realistic offensive plan after two seasons of … well, no one really knows.



2. Ole Miss, with QB <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaxson-dart-58358/">Jaxson Dart</a> (USC) and RBs <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/zach-evans-122709/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zach Evans</a> (TCU) and <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ulysses-bentley-119180/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ulysses Bentley IV</a> (SMU). The buzz: The Rebels lost their starting quarterback and their top four rushers. Lane Kiffin did a nice job in the <a href="https://www.on3.com/transfer-portal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transfer portal</a> in rebuilding that backfield. Evans, in particular, is a big-time talent when he’s focused.



1. USC, with QB Caleb Williams and RBs Travis Dye and Austin Jones. The buzz: See above.

On3 Football

Position unit breakdown: All you need to know about the top offensive backfields in 2022

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