The last few years one of my daily blogs has listed all the True Freshmen at each position and given you an idea of how many actually played in their first year on campus. I will go thru each position over the next few blogs and show you how many have played the last three years, so you know what to expect out of this year’s true frosh class.

Here is a look at the top 50 RB’s that were signed in 2020. Now 2020 was an odd year as with no spring practice, the true frosh RBs could not benefit from being in early for the spring. With some conferences cancelling their seasons and then starting them up again that put them even further behind. Now in 2020 technically every RB redshirted as 2020 did not count against their eligibility so coaches were more likely to play them.

Here is a look at the Top 50 True Frosh RB from 2020 and how many played.

My original thought was that Running Back is a much easier position than Quarterback to learn and contribute immediately and that more RB’s would play immediately. Tank Bigsby (PS#7) from Auburn led the RB’s with 834 rush yards (6.0). Bijan Robinson who was a Heisman frontrunner last year was #2 with 713 rush yards and an impressive 8.2 ypc. Unlike the QB’s 36 of the 50 RB’s saw the field or 72% of the top 50 true frosh RB’s. A decent number of those frosh RB’s have hit the portal and started for other teams like Jahmyr Gibbs who went from Georgia Tech to Alabama.

Now let’s look at the 2021 True Freshmen. I know that technically all of 2020’s true frosh were still true frosh, but I will just look at the ones that were in their first year on campus. We will just look at the 2021 signing class of RB’s and how much they played.

With everyone back from Covid and unlike in 2020 if a player played more than 4 games the player would lose a year of eligibility you would think that less true frosh RB’s would play. One advantage the 2021 true frosh had was being able to be on campus for spring if they enrolled early.

Here is a look at the Top 50 True Frosh from 2021 and how many played.

Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson led the way with 1248 yards (6.8) and another 312 receiving yards. Houston’s Alton McCaskill was #2 with 961 rush (5.1) and 16 td’s. Clemson’s Will Shipley had 738 (5.0) rush. 34 of the top 50 true frosh RB’s got at least one carry last year which is 68%.

In 2022 I had already projected Nicholas Singleton as the leading rusher for Penn St this year. I said you could expect more true frosh RB’s to make an impact in 2022 than the QB list I supplied yesterday. Nick Singleton did indeed start and led Penn State with 1061 (6.8) but he was not the top true frosh RB. Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss led with 1567 (5.7). Four other true frosh RB’s topped 700 yards with Jayden Ott of Cal having 897 rush and 321 receiving for over 1,000 yards total offense as did Kaytron Allen of Penn St who had 867 rush and 188 receiving. Kaleb Johnson of Iowa and Trevor Etienne of Florida both topped 700 rush.

Now we look at 2023. Unlike the previous two years this true frosh Top 50 class did not produce a 1,000 yard rusher. Darius Taylor from Minnesota led with 799 (5.8). Cedric Baxter was #2 with 659 (4.8). Mark Fletcher of Miami Florida was #3 with 524 (4.9). Dylan Edwards of Colorado had 321 (4.2) rush but also 299 (8.3) receiving. Seven of the top 50 already hit the portal.

In 2020 the top 50 true frosh RBs combined for 9079 yds rush, 80 td and 5.9 ypc.

In 2021 the top 50 true frosh RBs combined for 9651 yds rush, 96 td’s and 5.2 ypc.

The 2021 RB’s also had 1681 receiving yards.

In 2022 the top 50 true frosh RBs combined for 12202 yds rush, 117 tds and 5.2 ypc.

The 2022 RBs also had 1643 receiving yards.

In 2023 the top 50 true frosh RB’s combined for 7513 yds rush, 60 td’s and 5.03 ypc

The 2023 RB’s also had 1494 receiving yards.

Last year I said it will be tough for the 2023 group to top 2022’s  record breaking numbers and there was a clear drop off in fact the 2024 top 50 true frosh RB’s had less than any group in the four years. This years group should top 2023’s numbers.

Here is a list of this year’s top 50 True Frosh RB’s.

Remember I have a new daily blog each and every day this year so stop back to philsteele.com and check it out each day. Also did you know the digital magazine is updated all the way thru the start of the football season. We circle players that are out for the year, add in any new transfers and update position outlooks for each team. If you want to get the digital magazine along with your hard copy you can purchase it here on PhilSteele.com.