Ranking Best Big Ten Running Backs: USC's Woody Marks Climbing, Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins Leads?

The Big Ten conference is full of elite running back talent, including USC Trojans running back Woody Marks, Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins, Washington Huskies' Jonah Coleman, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and Penn State's Nicholas Singleton. Ranking the best Big Ten running backs during the 2024 college football season so far.

Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) rushes against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Big Ten conference has historically been known for teams being good at running the ball and playing great defense. This season is no different as the conference hosts some of the best talent at the position in the country.

Ranking the top-5 running backs in the Big Ten. Where do playoff contenders, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions and others land on the list?

5. Woody Marks

Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) reacts against Utah State Aggies linebacker Jon Ross Maye (1) during the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The first transfer on the list, but certainly not the last, Woody Marks is the third consecutive running back that Lincoln Riley has pulled out of the transfer portal and found success in Los Angeles. A transfer from Mississippi State, through just three games Marks has rushed for just 271 yards, but averages a colossal 6.5 yards per carry. Althought Marks may not have the same rushing stats as some of the other backs on the list, he does contribute especially well in the pass game. Serving as a valuable checkdown for first-year quarterback Miller Moss, he has caught 11 passes for 86 yards. He is the veteran relief for Riley on offense as he breaks in Moss. Marks made his mark on the USC offense after strong performances against Utah State and Michigan, which included rushing forback-to-back 100 yard games. If then Trojans can rely on Marks to be productive on the ground, that opens up a ton of options for the pass-heavy Lincoln Riley offense.

4. Jonah Coleman

Aug 31, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) rushes against the Weber State Wildcats during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Another transfer on the list, Coleman came from Arizona as he followed his head coach, Jedd Fisch, from Tucson to Seattle. Coleman was regarded as one of the best running backs from the Pac-12 last year and that statement holds the same for the Big Ten. In four games, Coleman has rushed for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He had his best game in the season opener vs. Weber State as he ran for 127 yards and scored three of his four touchdowns. He rushed again for another 100 yards in their week two win over Eastern Michigan. Washington's offense as a whole struggled in their 24-19 Apple Cup rivalry loss to Washington State. Coleman still managed to put together 75 yards on 14 carries. He will have a big test coming up against Rutgers who sit at 3-0 on Saturday.

3. Kaleb Johnson

Sep 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Iowa's offense has become somewhat of a running joke in recent years for it's ineffectiveness. However, Kaleb Johnson has put a whole new spark into the Hawkeyes offense. Johnson has been nothing short of dynamic with the ball in his hands. In just four games, Johnson has rushed for 685 yards and nine touchdowns with both being career highs for the junior running back. The Hawkeyes have been force-feeding the ball to Johnson and defenses still can't stop him. After rushing for a season-low of 119 yards in the season opening win vs. Illinois State, Johnson has put together rushing totals of 187, 173, and 206 in the next three games for Iowa. He currently leads the nation in rushing yards, being exactly 99 yards ahead of Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. If the Hawkeyes can stay healthy, Johnson could potientially be in the running for some awards at the end of the season.

2. Nicholas Singleton

Sep 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Nicholas Singleton has been putting the team on his back as he has single-handily carried them to wins over West Virginia and Bowling Green. The junior rushed for over 100 yards in both wins as he helped ignite the Nittany Lion offense at times when the pass game struggled. Singleton rushed for over 1000 yards his true freshman season, but that number came down signifcantly last season despite more carries. If Singleton is able to be the steady presence in that offense like he was in 2022, then Penn State could be a dangerous offense by the time USC rolls into town on Oct. 12. With 314 yards on just 37 carries, Singleton is on pace to set a new career-high in rushing yards.

1. Quinshon Judkins

Sept. 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins (1) fends off Marshall Thundering Herd linebacker Jaden Yates (30) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. / Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins has been the cherry on top for the revamped 2024 Ohio State offense. Although Judkins came into a running back room that featured TreVeyon Henderson, who is an experienced running back in his own right, he stood out early to new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Judkins has out-touched Henderson 36-24 since the start of the season. Althought Judkins' numbers don't immediately pop off the screen, but when you look at the 9.3 yards per carry that he averages, it's hard not to be impressed. One of the most electrifiying runners in the country, he has ran for 336 yards and five touchdowns as Ohio State has been flat out dominant on offense in their first three games. The Buckeyes have out-scored their opponents 157-20 as the rely on the strong run game stemming from their dynamic running back duo and quarterback Will Howard. In their win over Marshall, Judkins ran wild for 173 yards on just 14 carries. If he is able to continue his stellar production, he could be play himself into a high NFL draft pick in April.

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