Next up in The Floor Slap’s 2023 Big Ten Football Preview is the perhaps the deepest and most talented position group of any conference in the country. The Big Ten boasts a number of elite athletes and dynamic duos in its backfields.
Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are the three clear leaders in the conference – they are probably the best three backfields in all of college football. But Wisconsin should once again dominate teams on the ground with an impressive backfield of its own led by Braelon Allen.
Maryland, Minnesota, and Purdue can all rely on star running backs that should put up big numbers in 2023. Some question marks start to arise for the teams behind them but just about every team in the Big Ten can rely on their running back rooms as a position of strength.
1) Ohio State
Starter(s): Treveyon Henderson, Miyan Williams
Primary Backup(s): Dallan Hayden, Chip Trayanum, Evan Pryor, Xavier Johnson
The entire country seems to forget how great Treveyon Henderson was as a true freshman in 2021. Behind an offensive line that wasn’t particularly great at run blocking, he racked up over 1,200 rush yards and 15 TDs at nearly 7 yards per attempt. He also added over 300 yards and 4 TDs through the air. Henderson’s combination of strength, speed, and elusiveness made him virtually unstoppable.
An injury in 2022’s opener vs Notre Dame lingered throughout the season and had a noticeable impact on his abilities. But Henderson had surgery in January and is reportedly 100%. A healthy Treveyon Henderson is as good if not better than any running back in the country.
Miyan Williams isn’t too bad to have in the case Henderson does down again. Williams has rushed for over 1,300 yards and 17 TDs at 6.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons. Although he’s not quite the receiving or home-run threat that Henderson is, Miyan Williams’ power makes him the perfect compliment in the Buckeye backfield.
But what makes Ohio State’s running back room the best in the country is their depth. Dallan Hayden put Ohio State’s offense on his back against Maryland when both Henderson and Williams were out, racking up 148 yards and 3 TDs. Chip Trayanum rushed for 83 yards at 6 yards per carry against Michigan and showed incredible vision and burst in the spring game. And Evan Pryor – a consensus top-10 back in the 2021 class – was supposed to be the RB3 last year before missing the season due to a preseason injury. The Buckeyes even have swiss-army-knife Xavier Johnson who can has a proven ability to take handoffs and catch passes out of the backfield.
Ohio State and Michigan’s backfields both broke done towards the end of 2022. College football is a tough sport and you can always count on injuries to pop up. But the Buckeyes should be able to count on elite production no matter who has to step up in 2023. There aren’t any other teams in the nation that can confidently give 20 touches to 5+ different running backs.
Grade: A+
2) Penn State
Starter(s): Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen
Primary Backup(s): Trey Potts
The freshman phenoms are already household names and well-documented across the country. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for over 1,900 rush yards and 22 TDs on 6 yards per carry in 2022. Singleton is as good of an athlete as there is in the Big Ten and is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball with his speed. Allen is a shiftier back who relies on his terrific vision and strength – the “thunder” to Singleton’s “lightning”, if you will.
It’s nearly impossible to decisively pick which is the better duo – Singlton & Allen or Corum & Edwards. Keep in mind, the Michigan duo runs behind a considerably better offensive line. But what makes Penn State the superior running back unit is the addition of Trey Potts from Minnesota.
Potts has filled in great when called to replace Ibhrahim over the years. He’s racked up nearly 1,200 yards and 10 TDs at 5 yards per carry over the past 3 seasons. Not gaudy numbers, but he is an experienced, big-bodied back who can pick up tough yardage. Also a capable pass catcher and great in pass protection, Potts is the perfect back to take some of the weight off of the dynamic duo’s shoulders.
A strong run game is a new quarterback’s best friend. Thankfully for Drew Allar, he has maybe the best backfield trio in all of college football.
Grade: A+
3) Michigan
Starter(s): Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards
Primary Backup(s): CJ Stokes, Kalel Mullings
Blake Corum’s decision to spurn the NFL for a final year at Michigan was one of the most impactful decisions of the off-season. The senior has been as dominant as any back in the country over the past two seasons, accumulating over 2,400 yards and 29 TDs at just over 6 yards per carry. Corum has devastating quickness and is also a great pass catcher.
But the superior back – and probably the best in the nation – is Donovan Edwards. He blew up on the scene last year, running for 991 yards and 7 TDs at over 7 yards an attempt. Edwards is likely in for an even bigger role in 2023.
Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards should easily combine for over 2,500 yards on the ground next season – that’s how talented they are (and how great their offensive line is). But Michigan is ranked #3 because they are in no better of a position if Corum or Edwards goes down than they were last season.
The Wolverines will have to hope CJ Stokes or Kalel Mullings is ready to step up in the case of injury. As a true freshman last year, Stokes didn’t really shine when called upon once Corum went down. He rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries against Illinois and Ohio State. Mullings (a converted linebacker) rushed for 31 yards on 14 carries last year in his first attempt at the new position. Neither option invokes a ton of confidence.
Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are great enough to shoulder the entire workload themselves if they really need to. Michigan will have absolutely no problem running the ball in 2023. But their lack of proven depth keeps them behind Ohio State and Penn State in these rankings.
Grade: A+
4) Wisconsin
Starter(s): Braelon Allen
Primary Backup(s): Chez Mellusi, Cade Yacamelli
Braelon Allen is probably the least talked about star in college football. He’s rushed for over 2,500 yards and 23 TDs at over 6 yards per carry over the past two seasons. Allen is a monster at 6’2″ 235lbs and can beat nearly anyone on the field in a dead sprint. He also showed improvement as a receiving threat last season.
With what should be improved offensive line play and a more reliable pass attack, Braelon Allen could put up Heisman numbers in 2023. He’s been underrated so far in his career. But when Wisconsin starts winning games on the national stage again, Allen will get the recognition he deserves.
Chez Mellusi – a 4-star prospect in 2019 – has also proven to be a reliable backup to Allen, running for nearly 1,300 yards over the past two seasons. Although it hasn’t been utilized much yet, Mellusi is a legitimate receiving threat and could be utilized in the slot in Phil Longo’s pass-heavier offense.
Redshirt freshman Cade Yacamelli or third-year Jackson Acker – neither of which have registered a carry yet – would likely be called upon in the case of injury. But both Allen and Mellusi have proven to be durable over the course of the season.
Wisconsin has been known for elite running back production since the start of the century. Somewhat overshadowed in 2023, Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi are a top-5 backfield duo nationally.
Grade: A
5) Marland
Starter(s): Roman Hemby
Primary Backup(s): Antwaine Littleton, Ramon Brown, Colby McDonald
Roman Hemby burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman last season, racking up nearly 1,300 total yards and 11 total TDs. Hemby is a bigger back who has no problem running through arm tackles and over defenders. He has terrific vision and can hit another gear in the second level of defenses, making him a legitimate home-run threat. Roman Hemby is also a good pass catcher, making him a true do-it-all back for Maryland. I expect big things from him in 2023.
Antwain Littleton – a bulldozer at 6’0″ 285lbs – could be the primary backup again after rushing for 379 yards and 6 TDs last season. But 2022 4-star Ramon Brown might be in for a bigger role in 2023. He’s another power-back type, but has the lateral agility and pass-blocking ability to be a future every-down back for the Terrapins. Third-year Colby McDonald offers good experience and depth after rushing for nearly 500 yards and 4 TDs over the past two seasons.
Roman Hemby should dominate this backfield, but Maryland has plenty of options at their disposal in order to keep him fresh and healthy throughout the season. Hemby should make one of the three All-Big Ten teams in a conference loaded with talented running backs.
Grade: A-
6) Minnesota
Starter(s): Sean Tyler
Primary Backup(s): Zach Evans, Bryce Williams, Darius Taylor
The Gophers said goodbye to all-timer Mohamad Ibrahim after the 2022 season and also lost their presumed replacement in Trey Potts. But PJ Fleck landed a huge addition from the transfer portal in Sean Tyler.
Over the past two seasons for Western Michigan, Tyler has rushed for nearly 2,200 yards and 16 TDs at 5.6 yards per carry. He also added 225 yards and 3 TDs through the air. Although a smaller running back at 5’8″ 185lbs, Sean Tyler does not shy away from contact. He finished 2022 on an absolute tear, running for over 300 yards at 7 yards a pop. Tyler should carry that momentum into this season with his new team and put up the best numbers of his career.
6th-year Bryce Williams – who has 1,171 career total yards – and redshirt freshman Zach Evans should also both contribute. Evans was a 3-star prospect and track-star in high school. But 4-star true freshman Darius Taylor could push them to see the field.
With good depth and a new star running back, the Golden Gophers have a very strong running back unit heading into 2023.
Grade: A-
7) Purdue
Starter(s): Devin Mockobee
Primary Backup(s): Dylan Downing, Tyrone Tracy
Devin Mockobee was one of the biggest surprises of the 2022 seasons. After getting only 26 carries in the first three games last season, the former walk-on finished the year with 968 yards and 9 TDs on the ground and added 32 receptions for 274 yards. Mockobee has incredible burst and a devastating stiff-arm, making him a beast to tackle in the open field.
Purdue struggled to run the ball last year when it wasn’t Devin Mockobee carrying the ball. Dylan Downing was the primary backup, accumulating 351 yards and 4 TDs on less than 4 yards an attempt. But Tyrone Tracy is a name to watch heading into next season.
Tracy, who transferred from Iowa last year, piled up 93 receptions over the past 4 seasons at wide receiver. But he began the transition to running back last year, running the ball 17 times for 138 yards. His speed and pass-catching ability could make him a real problem in Graham Harrell’s scheme.
With so many great running backs in the Big Ten, Devin Mockobee likely won’t get the national attention he deserves. But don’t be fooled – Mockobee is a great talent and should help make the Purdue offense a little more balanced than it was in 2022.
Grade: B+
8) Iowa
Starter(s): Kaleb Johnson
Primary Backup(s): Leshon Williams, Jaziun Patterson
Although Iowa’s anemic offense averaged only 95 yards per game on the ground at under 3 yards per carry, true freshman Kaleb Johnson emerged as one of the lone bright spots. He finished the season with 779 yards and 6TDs on over 5 yards a carry. Johnson really came on towards the end of the season, averaging 100 yards per game at 6.2 yards per carry over the final 5 regular season games.
Leshon Williams is more than a reliable backup. His numbers weren’t impressive last year averaging under 4 yards per carry. But that is partially because he received the majority of his carries in the first half of the season when the offensive line was playing it’s absolutely worst. Leshon Williams is a very tough runner who can help sustain drives in relief of Kaleb Johnson. Redshirt freshman Jaziun Patterson could also carve out a role in this offense after jumping out to coaches during bowl practice.
Similar to Nebraska, Iowa needs to hope for massive improvements along the offensive line if they want to be able to run the ball consistently. But Kaleb Johnson and Leshon Williams are more than capable of leading a quality ground game for Iowa in 2023.
Grade: B
9) Michigan State
Starter(s): Jalen Berger, Jaren Mangham, Nathan Carter
Primary Backup(s): Jordon Simmons
Former Wisconsin transfer Jalen Berger returns for the Spartans after leading the team in rushing last season with 683 yards and 6 TDs on the ground to go along with 19 receptions. He led a rushing attack that was 12th in the Big Ten with 113 yards per game at under 4 yards per carry.
Berger is a hard-nosed back that runs with a lot of toughness and has great breakaway speed. He’s a capable lead back for the Spartans, but has yet to display the elite vision or elusiveness he’d need to be a great back behind a suspect offensive line. The good news for Michigan State is that they have plenty of bodies behind Berger thanks to some transfer-portal additions.
Jaren Mangham – a 3-star athlete out of the 2019 class – transferred after two seasons at Colorado and two seasons at USF. He has 1,251 yards and 23 TDs over the past 4 seasons. Mangham actually played under Mel Tucker at Colorado but followed Tucker out after he took the MSU job. Mangham – a down-hill back who likes running through contact – is a great compliment to the faster Berger.
The Spartans also picked up Nathan Carter from UConn. Only 2-star recruit in the 2020 class, Carter emerged as a key contributor over the past two season for the Huskies. He racked up nearly 1,000 yards on the ground and 24 receptions over the past two seasons. Carter was averaging better than 6 yards per carry at over 100 yards per game last season before a shoulder injury cost him the rest of the season. He may not have the frame to hold up as a workhorse back in the Big Ten, but his speed should make him a key contributor in the MSU offense.
It is still to be determined how Mel Tucker will use these three backs, but I think the likeliest scenario is a committee-situation rather than one of these backs taking over the backfield like Kenneth Walker did in 2021. Michigan State may not have an elite RB1 option like the teams above them, but they great depth which should help improve their rush attack in 2023.
Grade: B
10) Nebraska
Starter(s): Anthony Grant, Gabe Ervin Jr
Primary Backup(s): Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson
Nebraska’s run game struggled mightily last year, averaging just 123 yards a game at 3.5 yards a pop. But that can mainly be blamed on atrocious offensive line play and constantly playing from behind. Anthony Grant – a 2022 JUCO transfer – piled up 915 yards and 6 TDs on the ground and another 104 through the air. He’s not one to make something out of nothing, but he can hit holes with explosiveness and throw defenders around in the open field.
Grant started out the spring suspended by Rhule. He was reinstated relatively quickly, but it appears his spot as the starter is not solidified. Gabe Ervin has gotten tons of praise by the new coaching staff and was named one of the MVPs of the spring. He only has 47 carries over the past two seasons, but Ervin proved to be a big play waiting to happen in high school. Don’t be surprised to see big things from Gabe Ervin Jr in 2023.
The Huskers have another deep running back room behind these two, led by senior Rahmir Johnson and Emmett Johnson. The offensive line needs to make major strides under Matt Rhule if Nebraska wants to have a more effective run game. But they appear to have the bodies necessary to run a run-heavy scheme with QB Jeff Sims.
Grade: B-
11) Indiana
Starter(s): Josh Henderson, Jaylin Lucas
Primary Backup(s): Christian Turner
The Hoosiers have one of the most exciting young athletes in the entire country in Jaylin Lucas. A freshman All-American last year and elite return man, Lucas had 363 yards from scrimmage last season. He saved his performance for last, rushing for 100 yards on over 11 yards a carry in the finale against Purdue.
Lucas is in for a much bigger role in 2023. With his speed, elusiveness, and soft hands, he can be used any number of ways. But at only 5’9″ 185lbs, Lucas may need to fill out his frame a bit more before becoming the true lead back for Indiana. I just have a hard time seeing him withstand 200+ touches in the Big Ten.
But last year’s 2nd-leading rusher Josh Henderson returns to help shoulder some of the load. Henderson – who transferred from UNC before last season – ran for 398 yards and 4 TDs on 4.4 ypc. Like Lucas, he also proved to be an adept pass-catcher, hauling in 24 catches for 274 yards and 4 TDs. Henderson’s powerful run style is a great compliment to and lightning-quick Jaylin Lucas. The duo should make a formidable backfield duo in 2023.
Unfortunately, the depth behind Henderson & Lucas is a big question mark for the Hoosiers. Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner is likely to be next in-line for carries. He started out at Michigan as a 3-star back in 2018 before transferring to Wake Forest in 2020. Over the past two seasons, he rushed for just over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs at 4 yards an attempt. Turner is a powerful runner who can pick up some tough yardage. But with an offensive line that still has lots of room to grow, it’s hard to expect a lot from the Hoosier run game if Christian Turner needs to step into a starting role.
Josh Henderson and Jaylin Lucas make up an incredibly underrated backfield duo for Indiana. They don’t have great depth and Lucas is likely a year away from becoming an All Big-Ten caliber weapon on offense. But at the very least, the Hoosiers can count on a more productive run game than what they had last season.
Grade: C+
12) Rutgers
Starter(s): Samuel Brown V, Kyle Monangai
Primary Backup(s): Aaron Young, Ja’shon Benjamin, Al-Shadee Salaam
Considering how ugly the Rutgers passing attack was last season, their run game was actually surprisingly effective. As a true freshman last year, Samuel Brown emerged as the top back for the Scarlet Knights. An injury kept him out for the second half of the season, but he still finished 2nd on the team with 369 rush yards at 4.3 yards per carry. Brown isn’t an incredible athlete, but he’s a reliable RB1 for what should be a run-heavy offense.
Kyle Monangai finished 2022 as Rutgers’ leading rusher with 445 yards. But a lot of his production came from a 24 carry, 162 yard day against Michigan State. Monangai is another down-hill runner that can run through one-on-one tackles which compliments Brown nicely.
5th-year Aaron Young and redshirt sophomore Al-Shadee Salaam provide some depth, though they only combined for 248 yards on 3.6 ypc last season. The most promising player behind Brown & Monangai is probably true freshman Ja’shon Benjamin. Benjamin – a Florida track star in high school – brings next-level speed to this running back unit. With experience at wide receiver in high school, he could also be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield.
The duo of Brown & Monangai is actually a dynamic and consistent 1-2 punch. However, neither possess the elite athleticism or pass-catching ability to elevate an otherwise questionable offense.
Grade: C+
13) Illinois
Starter(s): Reggie Love III, Josh McCray
Primary Backup(s): Jordan Anderson, Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin
Chase Brown accounted for more than three quarters of the team’s rushing yards last season with 1,643. Thankfully, his massive workload won’t fall on one player’s shoulders. Reggie Love III and Josh McCray figure to split the majority of the carries.
Love was second on the team last year with 316 yards on the ground. He got his most work in Illinois’ final two games where he combined for 125 yards on 5.7 ypc. Entering his fourth season with the Illini, the coaching staff have faith that he can step into a major role in 2023. McCray also offers experience, running for 549 yards as a true freshman in 2021. Injury kept him out for most of last season, but he’s still a load to bring down at 6’1″ 240lbs.
Outside of Love and McCray, there is little experience in the Illini backfield. Jordan Anderson and Idan Laughery are both redshirt freshmen and should contend for playing time. True freshman Kaden Feagin is a dark-horse to earn a big role in the Illinois offense. The 4-star prospect enrolled early and impressed coaches throughout the spring.
The Big Ten has the deepest and most talented running back rooms in the entire country, so the 13th rank is no slight on Illinois. With a solid offensive line and improved quarterback play, they should once again have one of the strongest run games in the conference. But this is the least experienced unit in the Big Ten and they also have the biggest hole to fill.
Grade: C+
14) Northwestern
Starter(s): Cam Porter
Primary Backup(s): Anthony Tyus III, Joseph Himon II
One of the only bright spots from Northwestern’s 1-11 campaigns in 2022 was running back Chase Hull who had 1,459 total yards and 7 total TDs. With Hull gone, Cam Porter is left to fill his shoes.
Porter led Northwestern in rushing on their way to the Big Ten Championship game in 2020 but a preseason injury kept him out for all of 2021. He showed flashes of his former self last season but the Wildcats ultimately had to lean on Hull for any production in the run game. Porter finished 2022 with 286 yards on 3.3 yards per attempt. He’s also not nearly the receiving threat that Hull was which will hurt an offense that is short on talented passs-catchers.
There isn’t much experience behind Porter either. Anthony Tyus III is a big bruising back like Porter but has only 266 yards on 69 carries in his three year career. Joseph Himon II came out of one of the best high school teams in Arkansas in 2022 but didn’t see much of the field last year. That’s about it.
Now two years removed from injury, I believe Cam Porter can take a big step forward and put up strong numbers as Northwestern’s lead back. He and Tyus could really wear out defenses over the course of games. But the lack of depth, pass-catching ability, or reliable offensive line play doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.
Grade: C-