The Big Ten’s image has always been tough-nosed, ground and pound, 3 yards and a cloud of dust type kind of football. From Archie Griffin, to Ron Dayne, to Saquon Barkley, some of the best running backs in college football history came from the Big Ten.
Even though the 2022 edition of the conference boasts quarterbacks like CJ Stroud, Aidan O’Connell, and Taulia Tagovailoa, the best teams still rely on a powerful run game. With so many talented backs emerging through one week, it’ll be fascinating to see who separates themselves as the Big Ten’s best running backs in 2022.
A lot can change throughout the next 14 weeks of the college football season. But I think there is a fairly clear top 10 best running backs in the Big Ten season – the backs who will have the biggest impact on the season ahead.
These are the 10 best running backs in the Big Ten for 2022:
1) Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
It’s no secret what Wisconsin has produced at running back throughout its history. Just in the past 15 years, they have seen incredible production from guys like Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor, and James White.
Braelon Allen seems poised step in as Wisconsin’s next elite talent and high NFL draft pick. He stands at 6’2″ 235 lbs and runs at 4.5 40, giving him a unique blend of size and athleticism. In the 9 full games he’s played since taking over as starter, Allen has rushed for 1,320 yards and 13 TDs on 7.7 yards per carry.
If Wisconsin wins the West and finishes near the top 10, Braelon Allen has a legitimate shot to get invite to the Heisman Ceremony – and maybe even take home the trophy.
2) Chase Brown, Illinois
Chase Brown raised some eyebrows last year after he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 5 TDs. Through only 2 games of the 2022 season, it looks like Brown will crush those numbers. He already has 350 rushing yards and a couple TDs to go along with 4 receptions and a receiving TD.
His yards per rush has improved year over year, going from 5.2 in ’20, to 5.9 in ’21, to 6.4 so far in ’22. And although he is under-utilized in the Illini passing attack, Brown has flashed great catching ability.
In Bielema’s run-heavy scheme, Brown has the patience, strength, and shiftiness to but up gaudy numbers throughout the rest of 2022. Unfortunately, Illinois’ sub-.500 record will likely keep the national spotlight off of him.
3) Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
Mo already has 2 thousand yard seasons under his belt and entered 2021 as one of the most talked about backs in the Big Ten. After gashing Ohio State’s porous defense for 3 quarters to the tune of 30 carries for 163 yards and 2 TDs, Ibrahim tore his achilles and missed the rest of the season.
Ibrahim made his return to the field on Saturday and showed he hasn’t missed a step, running for 132 yards and 2 TDs on 6.3 yards per carry. The Maryland native has put on about 40 pounds since getting to campus back in 2017 and it shows. Ibrahim is a master at breaking tackles and getting tough yardage.
Although he isn’t one to break off huge plays, Mo is as reliable of a running back as there is in the entire country. He is the true heartbeat of the Minnesota offense.
4) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
The #1 running back in the 2021 class had a breakout campaign as a true freshman, rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 TDs on 6.8 yards her rush. Henderson also proved to be a reliable and game-breaking pass catcher, hauling in 27 receptions for 312 yards and an additional 4 scores.
TreVeyon excels at busting open big runs and making defenders look silly in the open field. He is one of the fastest players in the entire conference and seems like a sure-fire day 1 or 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Henderson could stand to improve his running between the tackles and his ability to churn out positive yards with defenders close to him – although he looks to have improved that facet through one game in 2022. He might not quite hit his numbers from last year, but the do-it-all back is still an elite talent.
5) Evan Hull, Northwestern
The #82 running back in the 2019 class had an underrated 2021, rushing for just over 1,000 yards on 5.4 yards per carry and hauling in 33 receptions. He was the sole bright spot for an otherwise putrid 2021 Wildcat offense.
Hull looked just as good in the opener against Nebraska, rushing 22 times for 119 yards and a TD while also adding 5 receptions and 55 yards. Although he might not quite be the work horse he was for Northwestern last year, the offense seems to have taken immense strides with Hull still as a focal point.
With no other solid receiver outside of Malik Washington emerging yet, Hull could be in line for a ton of action in the passing game. With probably the best receiving skillset amongst all the Big Ten backs, Evan Hull could have an eye-popping stat line this year.
6) Miyan Williams, Ohio State
The Cincinnati product and former 3-star has quietly emerged as a key part of this Buckeye offense. While his backfield-mate TreVeyon Henderson usually steals the highlights with his long runs, Miyan Williams is amongst the conference’s best hard-nosed runners.
Williams should top his 507 yards from last year (which he had on 7.1 yards per carry). In the opener against Notre Dame, he had 14 carries to Henderson’s 15. Ohio State leaned heavily on the battering ram of a running back to close out the drive that put them up 21-10 with 4:51 left.
Miyan Williams is one of the toughest guys to bring down in the entire country. In what looks to be more of a committee approach for Ohio State, Miyan is in line for the best season of his career.
7) Blake Corum, Michigan
Although Michigan lost their leading rusher from 2021, they actually returned their more efficient runner in Blake Corum. Last year he racked up 952 yards and 11 TDs on 6.6 yards per carry.
He is similar to TreVeyon Henderson in that a lot of production comes from the big play – he had a run of at least 25 yards in 7 of their games last year. Corum has great speed and can change directions without losing a step, making him a nightmare in the second level of defenses.
Physically, he isn’t quite as strong as the players above him on this list. But running behind one of the best lines in the country, Blake Corum should have plenty of opportunities to rip off huge runs and put up gaudy numbers on the season.
8) Anthony Grant, Nebraska
The #1 JUCO running back from 2021 emerged from a crowded running back room in the opener and tightened his grip on the starting job in his second game. Through 2 games, Grant has rushed for 290 yards and 4 TDs on 6.9 yards per carry.
After 2 years at New Mexico Military Institute, he led all JUCO players with 1,730 yards and 18 touchdowns on 241 carries in 2021. As he displayed on an impressive 46 yard TD run against Northwestern, Grant can absorb hits and make defenders fall with video game-like cuts.
Nebraska certainly has a lot to figure out both offensively and as a football team. But one this is clear through 2 games: the Huskers can lean on Anthony Grant to be a productive work horse throughout a tough conference schedule.
9) Trey Potts, Minnesota
After Ibrahim went down for the year in the ’21 opener, Potts stepped up big time. In the next three games, the 3rd-year back averaged 130 yards per game and scored 5 TDs. Unfortunately, he also suffered a season ending injury right after that impressive stretch.
Although he will take a backseat to Ibrahim (as long as he is healthy), Potts looked effective in his first game back last week. He carried the ball 17 times for 89 yards and TD. Although he didn’t break many big runs, the power-back had no problem shrugging off contact.
It’ll certainly be interesting to see how Minnesota divides the carries between Potts and Ibrahim. But one thing is for sure – the Gophers are set with two of the best backs in the conference.
10) Cam Porter, Northwestern
Although I expected Evan Hull to be the work horse back for Northwestern this year, Cam Porter has emerged as the perfect compliment to the shifty Hull. Porter ran the ball strong and was tough to tackle against Nebraska, rushing 19 times for 94 yards and a TD.
The Cincinnati product is not quite being the pass-catcher Hull is, so he may lead this team in carries. At 5’10” 210 lbs, Cam relies more on his size and strong legs than his speed to be effective. Although Porter likely won’t put up the stats that others on this list will, he already proved himself to be one of the Big Ten’s hardest hitting running backs.
After missing the entire 2021 season, he appears to be as strong as ever and built for the long Big Ten season ahead.