It’s that time of year. Time for our annual report to determine whose value is on the rise and who has taken a tumble prior to spring practices. We analyze the impact of transfers, coaching changes, and NFL declarations. We won’t be discussing G5 to P4 transfers, as there is an entire article dedicated to them on C2C called “Those Who Failed the Assignment.” Let’s discuss running backs.
Stock Up
Makhi Hughes – Houston
Hughes owners everywhere collectively crossed their fingers and prayed he’d land at Houston the moment he entered the portal. Prayers answered. Hughes reunites with his former Tulane staff a year later than he should have. “Never wrong… just early”, says every owner who selected him in round one last year. Fritz and Nagle found their replacement for Dean Connors and his 1,231 yards and 9 TDs. The last time they coached Hughes, he produced a 258-1,378-7 rushing stat line.
Jaheim White – North Texas
White is an interesting transfer down to the AAC. If it weren’t for a knee injury in Week 2, White would likely either be in the NFL or transferring to a playoff contender. But the knee injury is real. It was a horse-collar tackle that required him to be carted off. I generally pump the brakes on anyone coming off an injury with torn ligaments, but the landing spot here is very enticing. He reunites with Neal Brown and position coach Chad Scott. UNT also didn’t add much competition for White in the portal after all the RBs on the roster left. I’m not holding my breath for White early on, but he could be a league winner type by the time CFF playoffs roll around.
Lucky Sutton – San Diego State
Is it possible for something to be better just because it remains unchanged? Let me make the case. This new era of player and coaching mobility has forced us to judge a player’s offseason based on what has changed around him. But, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rings true for CFF too. In an inconsistent, volatile CFF world, stability is actually a massive upgrade. Sutton returns his HC/OC, who has shown a propensity to feed his RB1 when he finds one he likes. The 239-1,237-10 line he had in 12 games seems very much repeatable for Sutton in 2026. With no relevant RB additions from the portal, Sutton is in line for another monster year with a floor that is sky high and worthy of a first-round pick.
Stock Down
Raleek Brown – Texas
Raleek Brown was everything the owners of Kanye Udoh and Kyson Brown expected when they selected them. Mike Bainbridge has repeatedly shown that Sun Devils OC Marcus Arroyo gives his RB1 the lion’s share of touches. Brown leaves that workhorse role in Tempe for a likely split in Austin. It is unlikely Brown would be on this list had Texas not flipped Hollywood Smothers late in the portal cycle. Sark used to be a CFF God for RBs, but the Longhorns’ inability to run block and their recent propensity to share carries there really caps the ceiling for Brown. His 1,400 yards from scrimmage will be next to impossible to repeat in 2026.
Cameron Dickey / J’Koby Williams – Texas Tech
Over 14 games, these two combined for more than 2,600 yards and 24 TDs. The Tech offense was a wagon. And while we expect that wagon to keep rolling down the B12 trail next season, a few things have transpired early this offseason that will make it challenging for Dickey and Williams to repeat their same level of success. First, they both returned. That’s not unheard of, but rare that someone like Williams did find somewhere to own a backfield. Second, Quinten Joyner should return from injury and add another similarly talented body to the room. Lastly, Sorsby, who averaged 510 yards and 9 TDs on the ground the last two seasons, brings yet another rushing threat to the Tech offense that Morton didn’t provide.
Quinton Martin Jr. – Penn State
The once-highly touted recruit has patiently waited his turn behind Allen and Singleton. He finally got some run in the bowl game and flashed for 103 yards against Clemson. Unfortunately, a new staff means having to re-establish himself as a top option. Matt Campbell quickly added Carson Hanson, a multi-year starter from ISU. Then he added James Peoples from Ohio State. Even though he disappointed this year and was relegated to RB3 for the Buckeyes, his advanced metrics show he wasn’t bad, given the opportunities he had. Cam Wallace also withdrew from the portal. Martin once again finds himself in a room with much more experienced options than himself. Quite frankly, it says a lot that James Franklin and the Va Tech staff seemed to go a different route than bringing Martin with them.
