In a recent list from the East-West Shrine Bowl, four members of the Big 12 Conference were listed among the nation’s top 10 chain-moving running backs.
The analytics used to determine the list was by most rushing first downs, which placed representatives from Texas Tech, Arizona, Kansas State, and UCF on the list.
The headliner on the list was Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks, who earned Big 12 Preseason honors after an incredible senior season. Brooks posted 290 carries for 1,591 yards rushing with 10 scores on the ground.
Following Brooks was Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt who is listed at fifth. Croskey-Merritt, a new addition to the Big 12 in 2024, posted 1,190 yards on 189 carries with the UNM Lobos. The Alabama native started his career at Alabama State and spent four seasons there prior to transferring to New Mexico in 2022.
Kansas State’s DJ Giddens earned the No. 6 spot on the list after carrying the bulk of work in the Wildcats backfield as a sophomore. The Kansas native recorded 223 carries for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns, all while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Giddens enters his junior season in one of the Big 12’s premier running back rooms alongside Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.
The fourth and final Big 12 running back to earn praise on the list is UCF’s new addition Peny Boone, who checked in at eighth after a dynamic year with Toledo. The Michigan native transferred to UCF after posting 1400 rushing yards on 194 carries and will join a loaded unit that features fellow 1400-yard back, RJ Harvey.
The group of dynamic playmakers is joined on the list by Missouri’s Marcus Carroll, Liberty’s Quinton Cooley, Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai, Miami’s Damien Martinez, UC Davis’ Lan Larison, and Clemson’s Phil Mafah.
