National Signing Day is often about getting the biggest names in a recruiting class but it’s also about getting the right players that fit your system. Here are five running backs that are in a great spot in this Commit Fit look:
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HARLEM BERRY, LSU
Since Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2019, LSU has only had one 1,000-yard running back and that was Tyrion Davis-Price who snuck over the threshold with 1,003 yards in 2021. Over the last few seasons, quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Tigers in recruiting for two years before freshman Caden Durham burst on the scene and led LSU with 693 this season.
Berry seems like a sure-fire addition to have 1,000 yards - whether it’s on the ground or total yards since he should also catch the ball out of the backfield.
The five-star should be a phenomenal addition to LSU’s backfield and a great complement to Durham who uses speed to get to the outside. So does Berry but he’s even more dynamic with the ball in his hands giving the LSU coaching staff a variety of ways to attack defenses.
CONOR BOOTH, Nebraska
Did Nebraska just sign a Cam Skattebo clone? That might be a giant leap but Booth was enormously productive on the high school level running for 2,956 yards with 50 touchdowns on 266 carries this season. He’s doing it at Wahoo (Neb.) Bishop Neumann so the competition isn’t fierce but Booth has shown special qualities.
Booth isn’t necessarily a burner just running by everybody, he’s great at bouncing off tacklers, dodging defenders, getting to open space and then getting into the end zone.
Nebraska needs more playmakers on offense and coming out of the backfield, Booth should provide that service. And at 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds already, the three-star could easily play at 225 and dominate physically like Skattebo has at Arizona State.
GIDEON DAVIDSON, Clemson
Davidson is a rocked up, physical and tough running back who landed among the top players at his position. When was the last time Clemson didn’t have a running back like this?
Phil Mafah, who has rushed for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns this season, is 230 pounds so the Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian Academy four-star running back probably won’t play that heavy but he is a pounder who also has better speed and cutting ability than Mafah so there will be a dynamic element to his game.
“When I offered him, he committed on the spot,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Once the calendar turned to his junior year, he was one of my first calls and I said, ‘I’m excited to offer you a scholarship now that you’re a junior,’ and he said, ‘Well, I’m committing.’ It was over. What a family, what a story. Clemson people are going to love this kid.”
ALVIN HENDERSON, Auburn
Over the last many years, Auburn has had running backs that either eclipsed or were pretty close to 1,000-yard rushing seasons. It would be a surprise if Henderson wasn’t next in line on The Plains and not just because of his prolific stats coming out of Elba, Ala.
Getting lost in only stats for high school players - especially running backs - could be fool’s gold when it comes to recruiting rankings but Henderson’s numbers (and his highlight tapes) cannot be ignored. The four-star ran for 10,930 yards and 193 touchdowns in his career which put him among the top ever on the high school level.
Auburn could have its QB of the future in Deuce Knight, a young group of ultra-talented receivers and now Henderson in the backfield. Maybe coach Hugh Freeze is finally turning this thing.
DONOVAN JOHNSON, Michigan
The feeling with Johnson was that if he could put it all together and steer clear of injuries that plagued his high school career, he might be one of the best backs in the 2025 class.
The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy standout is big, strong, runs tough and fast and fits the mold of so many players at his position that have come through Ann Arbor. He’s just been so riddled with injuries that the hope is he can stay healthy when taking a pounding in the Big Ten.
The other four-star running back in this class is Jasper Parker who’s a more upright runner but special in his own right. But when we think of tough-to-tackle, physical backs in this class, Johnson to Michigan makes a lot of sense.
