Alright, so ESPN’s Field Yates just dropped his updated top five running back prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft class, and trust me, there are some absolute studs emerging halfway through the college season. The big news? Florida’s Jadan Baugh is sitting at number one, and he is lighting up scoreboards like it is his job.
Jadan Baugh: The Nation’s Top Dog
This kid, Baugh, isn’t just top of Yates’ list, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department also has him as the No. 1 running back and the No. 11 overall player for 2027. We are talking about a junior speedster who is tied for first in the nation with a ridiculous 12 rushing touchdowns already. He has racked up 672 yards on 110 carries, which is just insane production. Field Yates himself could not stop raving, saying Baugh has “the elite feet, the explosiveness.” He loves how Baugh can be “used all over the formation,” even pointing out his 33 catches last year. Yates called him “the most complete of all the backs we’ve talked about so far,” and even the legendary Mel Kiper Jr. agreed, calling Baugh “the best running back in this draft.” That is some serious praise.
Smothers Is “Most Intriguing” and the Rest of the Field
While Baugh is getting all the hype as the best, Mel Kiper Jr. did point to Texas’ Hollywood Smothers as “the most intriguing, to me.” Smothers has been splitting carries with senior back Raleek Brown, but he is showing off that versatility with nine catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, plus his 237 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. That is the kind of all-around game that NFL teams drool over. Rounding out Yates’ top five are Nate Frazier from Georgia, Kewan Lacy out of Ole Miss, and Justice Haynes from Georgia Tech. These guys are all making names for themselves, and it is still early days.
We are only halfway through the 2026 college football season, and with the 2027 NFL Draft still a ways off, there is a ton of time for these prospects to climb or even for new names to jump into the mix. It is going to be wild watching who boosts their stock in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes peeled, because these are the guys who could be running the rock for your favorite NFL squad very soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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