The Big Ten’s best running backs since 2004
Jonathan Taylor has the most rushing yards of the 683 running backs who played in the Big Ten since 2004, 6,174 in 41 games. Justin Jackson is 2nd with 5,440.
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | rushing yards | rushing touchdowns | yards from scrimmage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jonathan Taylor2017 – 2019 · 41 games | 6,174 | 50 | 6,581 |
| 2 |  Justin Jackson2014 – 2017 · 51 games | 5,440 | 41 | 6,298 |
| 3 | Montee Ball2009 – 2012 · 49 games | 5,140 | 77 | 5,738 |
| 4 |  Mike Hart2004 – 2007 · 43 games | 5,040 | 41 | 5,606 |
| 5 | Melvin Gordon III2011 – 2014 · 43 games | 4,915 | 45 | 5,143 |
| 6 |  Mohamed Ibrahim2018 – 2022 · 40 games | 4,668 | 53 | 4,813 |
| 7 |  Ameer Abdullah2011 – 2014 · 53 games | 4,588 | 39 | 5,278 |
| 8 |  J.K. Dobbins2017 – 2019 · 42 games | 4,459 | 38 | 5,104 |
| 9 |  Javon Ringer2005 – 2008 · 44 games | 4,289 | 33 | 4,981 |
| 10 |  Kaytron Allen2022 – 2025 · 54 games | 4,180 | 39 | 4,670 |
| 11 | Rodney Smith2015 – 2019 · 52 games | 4,122 | 29 | 4,643 |
| 12 | James White2010 – 2013 · 52 games | 4,015 | 45 | 4,685 |
| 13 | Ezekiel Elliott2013 – 2015 · 35 games | 3,961 | 43 | 4,410 |
| 14 | PJ Hill2006 – 2008 · 37 games | 3,942 | 42 | 4,300 |
| 15 | Evan Royster2007 – 2010 · 49 games | 3,932 | 29 | 4,494 |
| 16 | Tyrell Sutton2005 – 2008 · 39 games | 3,886 | 31 | 5,130 |
| 17 | Saquon Barkley2015 – 2017 · 38 games | 3,843 | 43 | 5,038 |
| 18 | TreVeyon Henderson2021 – 2024 · 47 games | 3,768 | 42 | 4,621 |
| 19 | Blake Corum2020 – 2023 · 45 games | 3,737 | 58 | 4,148 |
| 20 | Braelon Allen2021 – 2023 · 34 games | 3,494 | 35 | 3,768 |
| 21 |   Roman Hemby2021 – 2025 · 56 games | 3,467 | 29 | 4,553 |
| 22 | Nicholas Singleton2022 – 2025 · 53 games | 3,461 | 45 | 4,448 |
| 23 | John Clay2008 – 2010 · 37 games | 3,413 | 41 | 3,485 |
| 24 | Chris Wells2006 – 2008 · 36 games | 3,382 | 30 | 3,466 |
| 25 | Le'Veon Bell2010 – 2012 · 40 games | 3,346 | 33 | 3,877 |
Also in the Big Ten: quarterbacks · wide receivers · tight ends · defenders · kickers · punters
Method
- Every running back who played in the Big Ten since 2004, ranked by rushing yards over his games there while his school was a member. Bowl and playoff games count.
- The numbers here start in 2004, so a running back who played in the Big Ten before then isn't here.