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Position Battles
Position battles

Jobs still in play

The most compelling open starting jobs across the NFL and college football.

60 contested jobs tracked · 50 projected starting roles · Updated Sep 17
12matching battles · College · RB

Best college running back battles

The most open, consequential, and active starting-job competitions.
Navy MidshipmenNavy
College · American Athletic · starter
Crowded room
Job at stake
Starting running backStarting RB
Why this battle matters

The winner projects to open the season as Navy’s starting running back, a full-time role in an FBS offense.

Current read

Listorti holds the top listing on the current chart, but the room behind him is close enough — the job stays live. 2025 usage ran 5.4% to 6.4% of team plays, both returning.

Chart currentOrder verified · Sep 16
Crowded room
Oklahoma
Starting RB
LALloyd Avant
XRXavier Robinson
Slight edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Crowded room
Louisville
Starting RB
IBIsaac Brown
KBKeyjuan Brown
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 18.3% and 16.4% of team plays.

Crowded room
Air Force
Starting FB
OAOwen Allen
KHKemper Hodges
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 17.2% and 13.1% of team plays.

Crowded room
Texas Tech
Starting RB
CDCameron Dickey
JWJ'Koby Williams
Leader emerging

Returning usage is nearly even at 22.8% and 18.3% of team plays.

Browse all battles

8 of 12 shown · grouped by stakes and openness
Leaders emergingA favourite exists, but the job remains live.
8 battles
Must-watch
Navy
Starting RB
College · American Athletic
VLVic ListortiReturning player5% usage ’25 · 3 car · 17 yds
Slight Listorti edge

Returning usage is nearly even at 5.4% and 6.4% of team plays.

High confidence
Jackson GutierrezReturning player6% usage ’25 · 28 car · 172 ydsJG
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
8 contenders
Must-watch
Oklahoma
Starting RB
College · SEC
LALloyd AvantPortal addition90 car · 417 yds · 5 TD · 3-JR
Slight Avant edge

Both contenders hold current top-two listings in the room.

Medium confidence
Xavier RobinsonReturning player15% usage ’25 · 83 car · 421 yds · 4 TDXR
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
8 contenders
Louisville
Starting RB
College · ACC
IBIsaac BrownReturning contributor18% usage ’25 · 101 car · 884 yds · 7 TD
Brown leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 18.3% and 16.4% of team plays.

High confidence
Keyjuan BrownReturning contributor16% usage ’25 · 96 car · 704 yds · 6 TDKB
New contenders
1 portal addition in the room · Sep 17
5 contenders
Air Force
Starting FB
College · Mountain West
OAOwen AllenReturning contributor17% usage ’25 · 131 car · 749 yds · 5 TD
Allen leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 17.2% and 13.1% of team plays.

High confidence
Kemper HodgesReturning player13% usage ’25 · 49 car · 207 yds · 3 TDKH
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 16
5 contenders
Texas Tech
Starting RB
College · Big 12
CDCameron DickeyReturning contributor23% usage ’25 · 211 car · 1138 yds · 14 TD
Dickey leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 22.8% and 18.3% of team plays.

High confidence
J'Koby WilliamsReturning contributor18% usage ’25 · 154 car · 866 yds · 6 TDJW
New contenders
1 portal addition in the room · Sep 17
7 contenders
Boise State
Starting RB
College · Pac-12
DRDylan RileyReturning contributor21% usage ’25 · 195 car · 1125 yds · 10 TD
Riley leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 20.6% and 15.9% of team plays.

High confidence
Sire GainesReturning contributor16% usage ’25 · 161 car · 812 yds · 8 TDSG
New contenders
2 portal additions in the room · Sep 15
7 contenders
Notre Dame
Starting RB
College · FBS Independents
AWAneyas WilliamsReturning player7% usage ’25 · 24 car · 224 yds · 5 TD
Williams leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 6.7% and 5.6% of team plays.

High confidence
Nolan James Jr.Returning player6% usage ’25 · 14 car · 37 ydsNJ
Chart current
Order verified · Sep 17
7 contenders
Oregon
Starting RB
College · Big Ten
JDJordon DavisonReturning player11% usage ’25 · 112 car · 667 yds · 15 TD
Davison leads, job still live

Returning usage is nearly even at 11.4% and 9.2% of team plays.

High confidence
Dierre Hill Jr.Returning player9% usage ’25 · 75 car · 656 yds · 5 TDDH
New contenders
1 portal addition in the room · Sep 16
8 contenders