Week 5 is done, and we are almost to the halfway point of the season. We are starting to see the freshmen start to separate themselves by getting more opportunities or riding the bench as conference play is in full swing. Let’s visit some updates on this class!
5/5 Tier
These four backs are all done with the five metrics I want to see. By now, everyone should know Savion Hiter, Deuce Lawrence, and Damon Ferguson. Hiter was drafted in Round 1 in supplemental drafts, but Ferguson and Lawrence remained popular waiver pickups over the first stretch of the season. Each of them is establishing themselves to remain part of the weekly rotation. The unknown is Qwantavius Wiggins, who was a late flip from Wisconsin down to Georgia State.
Wiggins has 41 carries for 235 yards and 2 TDs while also adding 6 catches on 7 targets for 59 yards. We have seen a slight uptick in recent weeks for more opportunities, and he has done well. Advanced metrics back it up with 3.73 yards after contact per attempt, a 26% missed forced-tackle rate, and a big-run rate above what I want to see for this first year back.
4/5 Tier
In our second tier sits the very popular Jamal Rule and Javian Mallory group. Both these backs were well known and have set themselves up to join the top tier this season. Rule was a “my guy” in supplementals in the second or third rounds often and has blown away my expectations prior to injury. He should be back soon and finish out the season strong. Mallory, I didn’t expect to keep getting work after the big blowout, but he’s stayed in the lineup and is starting to set himself up as the RB2 or next man up after Fletcher. The downside is Fletcher has another year after 2026 and may choose to use it.
Lucas took advantage of a depleted room for a big win with San Diego State to rush up to this tier. I am not sure what will happen to him when the others are back, so for now, monitor. Ene also is a watch list guy, as Sac State is not a fun offense with an unknown future.
3/5 Tier
We see some fun names in this tier with EJ Crowell, Trae’shawn Brown, and KJ Edwards all making appearances here. Brown has been a big feature recently and has the chops to be a feature guy, and Crowell can be one once he understands the playbook. KJ Edwards has started to get more spots of work but is in a clear split with Morrow and Baker (also in this tier) behind Reuben Owens, who has more snaps than all three guys combined.
Solomon Baggett has made a case to be the guy over Kenyon Clay and may get that job moving forward regardless of Clay’s injury. Brandon White also has been consistent with touches each week but not a name I am pursuing right now. I am steering clear of the rest because of crowded backfields or because they just haven’t gotten consistent work yet.
2/5 Tier
Well hello to the new faces of this tier. Walton has either made Notre Dame a very confusing backfield or set himself up to be heavily involved moving forward. He looked strong this weekend and finished two tiers with a path for the others to get done. Brian Bonner has been solid for Washington during their rough stretch and just needs some receiving work.
JJ Hill got a few more carries late in a clear blowout against Bama but still seems stuck behind others. Meadows is not a name I care for right now with their scheme at Western Kentucky. Jordan Thompson is the surprise name I found I was missing this week, as he’s been solid behind Jaylin Carter for Memphis. If Carter gets a raise elsewhere, I am circling this name as a stash guy in case he gets a shot. He has better metrics than Covey or Hayden as the other backup RBs, with a good frame of 201 pounds at 6’0”.
1/5 Tier
The top five names of this tier’s graphic are all known or should be with Tonga the newest arrival for people to know with his arrival to RB2 seemed secure and now a chance possibly to get reps without LJ Martin this weekend. I would like to see Legend Bey get more work as he has stalled out in recent weeks, but the other three in the top part have had minimal success too. For the bottom row, I am only watching Jayvian Tanelus for Duke as he has been successful despite the focus being rightfully on Nate Sheppard, who is likely getting a big payday elsewhere next year. Reminder that our goal is to typically go for backs with 3 or more metrics complete, so keep an eye on these last few tiers.
Quick Note: Tre Garrison of Oregon State was in the wrong graphic and should be in this tier too.
0/5 Tier
I did leave off a few more names here, but the rest of the guys getting work all fall into this tier. It seems we will not see Ryan Estrada of Minnesota or Kory Amachree of Kansas, as both are done for the season with injuries and will be 0s because of it. The USC backs have been popular names, but only Alston has gotten some reps here and there, even when Redeaux was healthy. LaMarcus Bell was a popular add and has made little progress since his blowout-game heroics.
I am hoping Aiden Gibson gets some carries, but Rutgers isn’t making that easy with bad games. I would suggest starting to move off these guys and those with no work if you can and do not see a path forward. The odds of being NFL-relevant are dropping dramatically if they can not get on the field.
