Spring football is on the horizon for the 13 FBS programs in the state of Texas. That means it is time to shift focus forward and rank the 10 best players at each position across the state, continuing with running backs. 

The Lone Star State sent 10 programs to bowl games and two to the College Football Playoff as only Rice, UTEP, and Houston missed out on the postseason after the 2024 season. The 2025 season looks like another big year for the Great State because of the returning talent and added star power from the transfer portal. 

Previous: QB

1. Bryson Washington, Baylor 

2024 recap: 1,028 rushing yards, 12 TD, 5.87 YPC; 22 catches, 217 receiving yards, 1 TD

Quarterback Sawyer Robertson receives the headlines, but the return of Washington at running back is just as important to Baylor’s Big 12 chances. He posted the best rushing season of any freshman in program history despite playing in just 11 games. The Franklin native rushed for over 100 yards in six games and was a second-team All-Texas selection at running back last season. 

2. Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M  

2024 recap: 765 rushing yards, 10 TD; 10 catches, 141 receiving yards 

A season-ending injury against South Carolina cost Moss a 1,000-yard season on the ground in 2024. The Louisiana export started nine games and was second in the SEC with 6.3 yards per carry, earning him second-team All-SEC honors. He topped 100 rushing yards in three of the five SEC games he completed and scored seven touchdowns in his final three full conference contests, including three against LSU in a comeback victory at home. 

3. CJ Baxter, Texas 

2024 recap: Injured

Baxter started six times as a true freshman in 2023 and was poised for a breakout season as a sophomore before suffering a season-ending leg injury during preseason camp. He’s a big, athletic back who was a five-star when he pledged to the Longhorns out of Edgewater in Florida. His size and short-yardage instincts were missed in big moments by Texas last year, especially in the red zone. See Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Baxter is a potential All-American if he can avoid the injury bug. 

4. Quintrevion Wisner, Texas

2024 recap: 1,064 rushing yards, 5 TD; 44 catches, 311 receiving yards, 1 TD

Wisner was the beneficiary of the oft-injured Texas backfield in 2024. He wasn’t a big-name recruit coming out of high school like Baxter despite helping DeSoto claim a Class 6A Division I championship as a senior. He was overshadowed by teammate Jhontay Cook at that time. Wisner, again, proved that he doesn’t let outside expectations dictate his success because he emerged as RB1 last year and kept Sarkisian’s streak of 1,000-yard rushers alive. 

5. Amari Daniels, Texas A&M  

2024 recap: 661 rushing yards, 8 TD; 7 catches, 60 receiving yards 

Daniels started the final three games of the season after Moss went down for the season due to injury. Reuben Owens, a former highly touted recruit from inside the state, could also work his way into the Top 10 if he stays healthy. We picked Daniels because of his versatility and consistency. He ran the ball 27 times against Auburn and played in every game except the bowl loss. 

6. Dean Connors, Houston 

2024 recap: 780 rushing yards, 9 TD; 62 catches, 485 receiving yards, 2 TD

The Rice transfer was a tremendous and underrated addition for Willie Fritz’s Coogs over the offseason. Houston replaced its offensive coordinator and signed former Aggie Connor Weigman. Connors is a true two-way threat as a running back with elite skills as a receiver out of the backfield along with his production at running back. 

7. Quinten Joyner, Texas Tech

2024 recap: 478 rushing yards, 3 TD; 12 catches, 89 receiving yards, 1 TD (USC)

Texas Tech replaced one Manor great at running back with another. Tahj Brooks leaves Lubbock as the program’s all-time leading rusher. His replacement is Joyner, a USC transfer with some wiggle and big-play ability. He’ll pair nicely with Cam Dickey, who showed flashes as a true freshman and is a favorite of the coaching staff.  

8. Lincoln Pare, Texas State

2024 recap: 554 rushing yards, 8 TD; 12 catches, 134 receiving yards 

Pare reminded college football fans of his potential in a bowl victory over North Texas. He ran for over 700 yards back in 2022, but a season-ending injury cost him all of 2023 and pushed him down the depth chart as he worked his way back in 2024. Pare rushed for over 100 yards in Week 2 against UTSA and then didn’t receive double-digit carries again until the regular season finale against South Alabama, when he rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes. He was the MVP of the First Responder’s Bowl after rushing for 143 yards and two scores. 

9. LJ Johnson, SMU 

2024 recap: 332 rushing yards, 5 TD; 11 catches, 80 receiving yards 

The former Texas A&M Aggie was mostly a backup for the Mustangs during their run to the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff, as Miami transfer Brashard Smith emerged as a potential NFL running back. The Ponies are adding another transfer at running back from Miami this window with Christopher Johnson. Still, LJ Johnson could be a breakout candidate. 

10. Brandon High, UTSA

2024 recap: 495 rushing yards, 8 TD; 6 catches, 58 receiving yards 

The running back duo of Robert Henry and Brandon High should be one of the best in the American Athletic Conference if the Roadrunners improve along the offensive line. The Spring native showed big play potential as a redshirt freshman and ended the season with a pair of touchdowns against Army and 76 yards on 11 carries in the bowl win over Coastal Carolina.