Each year the NFL Combine has some surprise standouts and some players that underperform and lower their draft stock. There are some key thresholds for running backs to hit at the combine to be in day one or two consideration, and some players look like they’ll be right on the edge. Whether they’re a physical specimen and it will just be a blast to watch, or they’re close to the thresholds, here are the top running backs to watch and the 2025 NFL Combine.
Running Backs to Watch at the 2025 NFL Combine
Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Tuten has a track background from high school, and according to Bruce Feldman he once topped 23 miles per hour in a game. Already weighing in at 211 pounds at the Senior Bowl, if he runs close to his rumored 4.32 40-yard-dash, he’s going to turn some heads. A lot of analysts like to use speed score (a player’s weight adjusted speed) to compare and contrast prospects. If he stays at the same weight for the combine and runs anything under 4.4 he would have one of the best speed scores among running backs of the past few classes. He was named one of the sleeper running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft, but a big combine will make him a household name.
Bhayshul Tuten Scouting Report
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
On the flip side of the coin, Skattebo is a name to watch because he could be close to some of the thresholds. He’s an absolute bowling ball on the field, but will he hit the 4.6 40-time and jump baselines to be a day two pick? Or was his tape just so good that scouts throw historical precedent out the window? It will be fun to watch this shake out.
R.J. Harvey, UCF
Another blazer, it’s going to just be a blast to watch Harvey run. His tracked speed at the Senior Bowl was the best of the bunch there, and his game tape makes it look like he’s playing at a different speed than everyone else on the field. He’s a converted high school quarterback, so traits could convince a team to bet on him earlier than analysts expect now.
Devin Neal, Kansas
Neal looks like he’s playing at a different speed than everyone else too. Just not in a good way. His vision, tackle breaking ability and all of the technical aspects of the position are top notch. But unless he seriously surprises people at the combine, he’s dog-eared as an early day-three pick at best.
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This is all just one big bucket, but between Kaleb Johnson, TreVeyon Henderson, Omarion Hampton and Quinshon Judkins, someone is going to pull away from the pack. They’re all exceptional prospects with varying strengths and weaknesses, but having athletic testing to help try and project draft capital will be an exciting process to watch. Henderson should be the fastest and best jumper of the bunch, but size adjusted athleticism could give an edge to Johnson or Hampton.
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Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
