Let’s examine the running back position to determine who is on the rise and who has seen their stock decline now that spring practices and the spring portal have concluded.
STOCK UP
Malik Sherrod, Boise State
All indications are that the Fresno State transfer shined this spring at Boise in the absence of Sire Gaines. Sherrod had three carries for 76 yards, including a 65-yard house call in the Broncos’ spring game. With almost no mention of Breezy Dubar all spring and Gaines yet to return to full health, Sherrod appears to have earned himself a significant role at the least, and potentially even the lead horse heading into fall.
Greg Desrosiers, Memphis
We finally have a little clarity on this much-coveted CFF RB position at Memphis with the exit of Rashod Amos (more on him later). At the time of this article, Memphis has yet to add a replacement for Amos from the portal. That leaves Desrosiers competing with the oft-injured Sutton Smith and the very unproven Markari Bodiford. Desrosiers was the clear Memphis RB2 in 2024, but can he prove to be a workhorse after being primarily a gadget type throughout his career?
Waymond Jordan, USC
The National JUCO Player of the Year transfer, who ran for 1,614 yards and 20 TDs, was an afterthought in most CFF drafts early in the spring. Most thought Eli Sanders would be the next featured back under Lincoln “Burnt Brisket” Riley. Jordan got rave reviews from the staff throughout the spring and had Trojan insiders saying, “the running back competition isn’t really that close”. The ADP on Jordan and Sanders has essentially flipped over the last month.
STOCK DOWN
Rashod Amos, Georgia State
This man was in line to potentially be the next great Memphis RB after Blake Watson and Mario Anderson. Instead, he transferred (yet again) to Georgia State, which then promptly added Branson Robinson and Jordan Simmons. So, not only did he take a step back in CFF systems, but he also potentially joined a more crowded room.
Kanye Udoh, Arizona State
After a stellar season for Army, where Udoh ran for 1,117 yards and 10 TDs on just 179 carries, many were stoked for this landing spot after his transfer. This ASU staff tends to feature a Volume Pig (copyright pending). However, Kyson Brown wasn’t having it. Dillingham, being the beautiful man he is, allows plenty of access to practices, and Brown appeared to be the clear RB1 throughout spring. In fact, there were times Udoh was running with the 3s. There is still an entire summer and fall to go, but things aren’t looking quite as rosy for Udoh.
Damien Taylor, Ole Miss
So many transfer RBs featured in this edition. Taylor leaves his workhorse role at Troy to replace Jordan Simmons as a depth piece in a committee for the Rebs. Yes, Kiffin has shown the ceiling to provide elite CFF RB options with Motor Singletary and Quinshon Judkins, but the floor now is the basement for this former 1K-yard back. Just ask Rashod Amos how transferring to Ole Miss after a 1K season in the G5 went for him.
