Who Will Be the 5 Most Fun RBs in College Football 26?

Running backs are arguably the most enjoyable position to control on offense in College Football. All you have to do is give them the ball, and from there, it’s up to you to make a play happen. An offense without a good running back becomes fairly one-dimensional, so choosing a team that already has the position shored up is one of the best routes you can take in either Dynasty or quick play.

Of course, when College Football 26 rolls around this summer, you might not have a solid idea of the best running backs to use. It’s a new game, a new season, and plenty of new running backs have entered college or switched teams through the transfer portal (check out the newly revealed CFB 26 cover). So, to help you gain an edge when College Football 26 arrives, we have compiled a list of who we believe will be the most enjoyable running backs to use. These might not necessarily be the highest-rated RBs, but they will be backs that you’ll always look forward to calling plays for.

1. Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

This was a pretty easy choice for the number one spot. Jeremiyah Love was one of the best running backs in the country in 2025 and an extremely enjoyable back to control in College Football 25. Love is a 95 OVR-rated RB in CFB 25, but we can see that rating going up a digit or two at the start of CFB 26 thanks to his stellar performance last season.

When it comes to stats, Love has terrific speed and agility and can outrun and outmaneuver just about any defender on the field. There’s a reason he’s arguably the top “Elusive RB” in the game. When you pair that with his impeccable ball carrying skills, Love becomes easily one of, if not the best, running backs to use out of any other player at the position.

2. Justice Haynes, Michigan

If Justice Haynes’ name doesn’t sound familiar to you, get ready for that to change. Haynes was the top running back in the transfer portal during the 2025 offseason after Alabama’s confusing usage led him to seek refuge elsewhere. That happens to be at Michigan, where running backs have been known to thrive. While Michigan also has a shiny new QB prospect that might take some plays away from Haynes, he’s still the top RB for the Wolverines.

Haynes boasts a blistering speed rating and fantastic trucking and juking skills. If you manage to get Haynes out into space, you can basically guarantee yourself at least a 20-yard gain. Even if the line is stacked with defenders, though, Haynes can easily escape trouble and gain some extra yards. Paired with the new-look Michigan team, Haynes should be one of the better RB options in CFB 26.

3. Makhi Hughes, Oregon

If there’s one thing that’s synonymous with Oregon football, besides flashy uniforms, it’s speed. After a chunk of Oregon’s core offense departed for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Ducks were in desperate need for more offensive skill coming into the 2025 season. Enter Makhi Hughes, formerly of the Tulane Green Wave.

Makhi Hughes was arguably the most underrated running back in CFB 25, as well as in real life last season. Hughes wound up as a 97-OVR rated RB and put up some monster numbers for Tulane. Now, Hughes and his 97-rated speed skill are coming to Oregon’s high-powered offense. This is a match made in heaven, and Hughes should be able to thrive under head coach Dan Lanning’s innovative offensive schemes. At the very least, you can enjoy Hughes’ speed and amazing ball carrying skills whenever he touches the ball.

4. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Up next, we have a big name that was featured prominently on the brightest stages throughout the 2024 season. Nicholas Singleton was the star running back for a Penn State team that made it quite far in the Playoff. Singleton has all of the qualities you want in a three-down running back and might be the best receiving back on this list as well.

No matter how you use him in the offense, Singleton should excel regardless of what lies in front of him. Of course, you’ll want to use his 96-rated speed and agility stats to their fullest potential by getting the back out in space and letting him fly by defenders.

5. Nate Johnson, Utah Utes

Alright, we’re kind of cheating with this one, but Nate Johnson is worthy of a mention on this list. Johnson began his career at Utah and then transferred to Vanderbilt last season. However, now he’s back with the Utes and looking to use his freakish athletic ability in any way the offense needs.

For CFB 25 savants, you might remember that Johnson boasts the highest speed rating in the entire game by quite a wide margin. While Johnson is listed as a quarterback on the depth chart, Utah has been using him all over the field, including at running back. This gives you loads of potential in the Utah offense, as you can line Johnson up in the backfield, hand the ball off to him, and watch him fly up the sideline, knowing that literally no defender can catch up.

Of course, Johnson won’t have the best ball carrying skills in CFB 26 due to his QB label, so you’ll want to avoid getting hit with him. However, the potential with Johnson is there.

And that does it for our list of the most enjoyable running backs for College Football 26. Did we leave anyone off the list? Let us know down in the comments below.