The 2026 college football season promises an exciting battle for running back supremacy in the Big 12, with a mix of returning stars, intriguing transfers, and potential breakout candidates. Here's a deep dive into the top contenders and the factors that could shape their performances.
The Top Contenders
LJ Martin, BYU: The reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Martin was the driving force behind BYU's 12-win season, including a Big 12 championship game appearance. With 236 carries, 1,305 rushing yards, and 12 touchdowns, he finished No. 11 in the country in rushing yards. As a senior, he'll have the opportunity to become BYU's all-time leading rusher. The only question mark is his health, as he's been banged up several times in his career.
Cameron Dickey, Texas Tech: Dickey proved to be one of the top playmakers for the Red Raiders, earning All-Big 12 second-team honors. With 209 carries, 1,124 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns, he led the league in rushing touchdowns and was second in scoring. Pairing him with J'Koby Williams, who ran for 868 yards and six touchdowns, Texas Tech has a dynamic backfield.
Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State: Hawkins was a scoring sensation for North Texas, averaging 13.4 points per game and finishing fifth nationally in rushing yards. He's now at Oklahoma State, where he'll have the opportunity to show whether his skills translate to similar production at the power conference level.
Cam Cook, West Virginia: Cook led the nation in rushing yards and was second in all-purpose yards during his lone season at Jacksonville State. He's now reunited with his offensive line coach at Jacksonville State, Rick Trickett, who joined the Mountaineers staff this offseason.
Wayshawn Parker, Utah: Parker had a standout year for the Utes, earning third-team All-Big 12 honors and finishing fourth in the league in rushing yards. With double-digit carries game in and game out, he averaged 103.8 rushing yards over the team's final six contests. Utah's replacement of its entire starting offensive line could impact Parker's numbers.
The Transfer Factor
Several intriguing transfers are joining the Big 12, adding depth and talent to the running back position:
- Makhi Hughes, Houston: After two seasons as a star running back at Tulane, Hughes transferred to Oregon but did not find a role and redshirted. He's now at Houston, where he'll be a valuable piece for a team on the rise.
- Joe Jackson, Kansas State: Jackson broke the school single-game rushing record and earned third-team All-Big 12 honors. He'll have the chance to build on his late-season surge and is joined by intriguing transfer options like Rodney Fields Jr. and Jay Harris.
- Landen Chambers and Duke Watson, UCF: Chambers and Watson bring different skill sets to UCF, with Chambers having a breakout 1,000-yard season at Central Arkansas and Watson running for over 600 yards as a true freshman at Louisville.
The Breakout Candidates
Several running backs are poised for breakout seasons, including:
- Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State: Hawkins has the potential to be a scoring sensation for the Cowboys, building on his success at North Texas.
- Cam Cook, West Virginia: Cook's reunion with his offensive line coach at Jacksonville State could bring similar production to West Virginia.
- Wayshawn Parker, Utah: Parker's explosiveness and double-digit carries make him a strong candidate for a breakout season.
- Jeremy Payne, TCU: Payne led the Horned Frogs in rushing and had a standout performance in their bowl win over USC. With a new offensive coordinator, he's expected to have a surge in production.
The Uncertain Factors
Several teams face uncertain factors that could impact their running back performances:
- Baylor: Dawson Pendergrass missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, opening the door for freshmen backs Caden Knight and Michael Turner.
- Kansas: Dylan Edwards' injury situation hovered over him for much of the 2025 season, leading him to seek a fresh start at Kansas.
- Iowa State: The massive roster overhaul at Iowa State leaves the running back position as one of the bigger question marks for the program.
The New Faces
Several new running backs are joining the Big 12, bringing fresh talent and potential:
- Richard Young, Colorado: Young brings SEC experience to a Big 12 program in need of a resurgence at the running back position.
- Zion Johnson, Cincinnati: Johnson earned snaps late in the year and had a pair of solid games in November, earning praise from media outlets. He's in line to take over the lead-back role.
- Kedrick Reescano, Arizona: Reescano has been a reliable backup for the Wildcats, excelling in short-yardage situations. He'll now have the opportunity to take over as the program's primary back.
Conclusion
The 2026 Big 12 running back landscape is a mix of returning stars, intriguing transfers, and potential breakout candidates. With a mix of health, experience, and talent, the conference promises an exciting battle for running back supremacy, with several teams and players poised to make their mark on the sport.
