Evan Dickens, RB, Boston College
Transferring from Liberty to Boston College. Rushing for 1,339 yards and 16 touchdowns on 229 carries while averaging 5.8 yards per carry in 2025. He finished the season on a dominant stretch, exploding for 964 rushing yards over his final five games, an average of nearly 193 rushing yards per game, with two 200-yard performances, showcasing the workhorse ability and explosive upside that fantasy managers covet.
Boston College brought Dickens in to replace its departing production and immediately become the focal point of the offense. While he isn’t known for heavy receiving usage, his proven efficiency and ability to handle a large workload make him an ideal fit to lead the Eagles’ backfield. If he approaches 200-plus touches in Bill O’Brien’s offense, Dickens has a realistic path to finishing as one of the most productive backs. His combination of proven production, 5.8 yards per carry, and projected volume make him an intriguing upside pick.
Fame Ijeboi, RB, Purdue
Ijeboi rushed for 441 yards and two touchdowns on 97 carries (4.5 YPC) in 2025 while serving as Darius Taylor’s backup, flashing a physical, downhill running style whenever he got opportunities. Now in West Lafayette, Ijeboi has reportedly emerged ahead of fellow transfer Jerrick Gibson in the early battle for the starting job, putting him in position to lead Barry Odom’s backfield.
There’s no denying Purdue’s offense may struggle to consistently score, which caps Ijeboi’s weekly ceiling. However, volume is king in fantasy, and a potential lead back seeing 180-200 touches at his current draft cost is the type of upside worth chasing late in drafts.
Ty Clark, RB, Wake Forest
With Demond Claiborne off to the NFL, Clark is in line to take over as Wake Forest’s lead back after serving as the No. 2 option last season. In 2025, he totaled 532 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as both a runner and receiver.
Clark closed the season with an impressive Duke’s Mayo Bowl performance that highlighted his three-down upside. He rushed for a career-high 91 yards while adding three receptions for 73 yards, including a 62-yard receiving touchdown, demonstrating the pass-catching ability that could make him especially valuable in PPR formats. With Claiborne gone, Clark has a clear path to 175-200 touches, and his receiving workload gives him a higher weekly floor. New offensive coordinator Rob Ezell has a history of leaning on one primary running back rather than employing a heavy committee, which sets up well for Clark to inherit a true featured role.
Jamal Rule, RB, Nebraska
Jamal Rule is one of the more intriguing freshman running backs. The Nebraska true freshman made an early statement during the spring game, leading all Husker rushers with 119 yards on nine carries (13.2 YPC), highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run that showcased his burst, acceleration, and big-play ability. He also added a 15-yard reception, flashing the receiving upside that could help him earn snaps early.
The former Charlotte Christian standout dominated at the high school level, rushing for over 2,500 yards in his final two seasons while showing the ability to contribute as a receiver. At 5’11, 205 pounds, Rule has the size to handle Big Ten workloads while possessing the explosiveness to create chunk plays. His spring performance caught the attention of head coach Matt Rhule, who said the freshman running back “put himself in position to compete and play in the fall, which is all you can do as a freshman.”
With Emmett Johnson’s departure leaving a significant workload available, Rule has the talent profile to become an immediate fantasy contributor and has quickly entered the conversation for meaningful playing time. If he earns a significant role in Matt Rhule’s physical rushing attack.
Marcellous Hawkins, RB, Virginia Tech
Marcellous Hawkins is one of the most underrated running back values currently. After transferring from Central Missouri, Hawkins immediately became Virginia Tech’s most productive back in 2025, rushing for 749 yards and a touchdown on just 118 carries while averaging an impressive 6.3 yards per carry. He also added 12 receptions for 86 yards and a receiving touchdown, showcasing the versatility needed for a three-down role.
The biggest reason to buy is his efficiency and projected workload. Hawkins forced 44 missed tackles and generated 562 yards after contact in 2025, proving he can create yards beyond what the blocking provides. With a new era under James Franklin and a revamped offensive approach, Virginia Tech has a chance to lean on Hawkins as the centerpiece of the offense.
Hawkins has legitimate breakout potential if he approaches 180-200 touches. His combination of size, explosiveness, contact balance, and receiving ability gives him a strong fantasy floor, while a larger workload could push him into ACC RB1 territory. He is one of the better late-round values.
