The Big 12 is home to a few of the top running backs in the country.
Texas’ Bijan Robinson and Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn are widely projected to be among the Heisman trophy favorites for the 2022 season.
On the flip side, four of the conference’s top rushers from last season have chosen to enter the 2022 NFL draft.
Baylor’s Abram Smith led the Big 12 conference in rushing yards last season with 1,601 yards, but he is now preparing for the NFL draft. The No. 2 leading rusher from the 2021 season was Iowa State’s Breece Hall, who chose to take his talents to the professional level as well.
Oklahoma State’s Jaylen Warren and Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks won’t be returning to the college level either, while TCU’s starting running back Zach Evans transferred to Ole Miss. This leaves the door wide open for several new faces to make a mark this season.
Take a look at the top five returning running backs in the Big 12 this season based on production, courtesy of Sports Reference.