The running back position in football has seen its importance wane of late. Despite that, there are plenty of top-tier backs in the Big Ten, as usual. The 2024 transfer portal hoopla is starting to calm down, so the top players have already decided. A few SEC defectors top the Big Ten running back transfers.
247Sports is bullish on a few incoming transfers, including the one at the top of his position.
Top Big Ten Running Back Transfers for 2024
Quinshon Judkins: Ohio State (from Ole Miss)
Just like with the transfer quarterbacks, the Buckeyes were able to lock down the top transfer at the position, Quinshon Judkins. The former SEC Freshman of the Year transfers into a very top-heavy running back room at Ohio State.
While at Ole Miss, Judkins posted back-to-back 1,100+ yard seasons in his true freshman and sophomore seasons. In total, Judkins amassed 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground. As a receiver out of the backfield, Judkins added 281 yards and three touchdowns off of 37 receptions. Thanks to the acquisition of the top-rated player among the Big Ten running back transfers, Ohio State’s backfield is expected to be one of the best in the nation.
Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks: USC (from Mississippi State)
With the departure of MarShawn Lloyd, USC needed a proven running back to play alongside new quarterback, Miller Moss. Lincoln Riley dipped into the SEC and found Jo’quavious Marks and shored up the running back room in a big way.
Marks was a productive member of the Bulldogs’ backfield for the four years he was on campus. After rushing for 312 yards and three scores as a true freshman in 2020, Marks ran the ball over 100 times in each of the last three seasons. In those years, he totaled 1,571 yards and 19 touchdowns off 340 carries. Riley will also take advantage of Marks’ receiving ability. In his four seasons in the SEC, Marks caught 214 passes for 1,225 yards and five scores.
Dante Dowdell: Nebraska (from Oregon)
After just one year with the Ducks, Dante Dowdell has moved to Nebraska as one of the top Big Ten running back transfers. There is not much to go on when it comes to Dowdell’s Oregon career. In total, he appeared in nine games, ran the ball 17 times, and amassed 90 yards and a touchdown.
Dowdell was a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle and a top-10 player at his position. He will be joining a crowded running back room but should have the opportunity to take the starting job. In his short time on campus, Dowdell has been impressing coaches and capped off a strong Spring with a commanding Spring Game performance.
Jordan Washington: Washington (from Arizona)
Eleven players elected to follow Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington. Three running backs did so, led by incoming freshman, Jordan Washington. Last year’s starter for the Wildcats, Jonah Coleman, also made the jump to the Pacific Northwest but 247Sports rates Washington higher.
As a recruit, Washington was rated as a four-star athlete out of California. He’s widely considered as a guy who can come right in and make an impact. Washington is a shifty runner with incredible breakaway speed. Alongside Coleman, who has already proven his ability to play at the Power 4 level, Washington will have a formidable rushing attack.
Sieh Bangura: Minnesota (from Ohio)
According to 247Sports‘ ratings system, there’s a logjam of running backs rated at 0.8900. Sitting atop them in terms of Big Ten running back transfers is a former MAC star, Sieh Bangura. There has been a lot of movement in the Minnesota running back room. In addition to Bangura, the Gophers added two others to a room with a pair of young, proven studs.
Bangura comes to Minnesota after running for 1,982 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons with the Bobcats. He showed he was able to take over an offense and put the game on his back. In 28 games, Bangura rushed for over 100 yards seven times. Bangura has a certain level of physicality that the Gophers will be able to utilize even as depth. After the running back room was decimated with injuries in 2023, depth can never be taken for granted.
