Back in May, Red Raider Wire tried to tell the country where the best running back room in the country was located. It turns out that claim is backed up by a data-driven publication.
Pro Football Focus has released its rankings of the top running back rooms in college football entering the 2026 season. Surprise, surprise, the Texas Tech Red Raiders sit at PFF’s top spot.
Grabbing the top spot on a countdown like this is noteworthy. But what is most remarkable about the selection is that the Red Raiders earned the top spot without a single back cracking PFF’s individual top-10 rankings at the position. Instead, just like a tasty croissant, it is the number of layers and the quality of those layers that impressed analysts.
Cameron Dickey returns after a standout sophomore campaign in which he paced the entire Big 12 in rushing touchdowns with 14. Alongside him, junior J’Koby Williams proved to be one of the most dangerous receiving threats out of the backfield in the Power Four last season.
Then there’s Quinten Joyner. His addition is what gives the Red Raiders’ running back depth a different dimension. Joyner arrived in Lubbock after posting a strong PFF grade with the USC Trojans in 2024. But he tore his ACL last August and missed the entire 2025 season.
His return this fall gives head coach Joey McGuire a third proven playmaker, turning an already productive group into the deepest backfield in the country.
PFF’s ranking underscores a broader shift in how position groups are evaluated. With the physical toll the running back position takes over a long season, having multiple backs capable of shouldering a heavy workload has become just as valuable as having one standout star.
Texas Tech’s combination of power running, receiving versatility, and a healthy returner from injury checks every box. It sets the stage for a backfield that could be one of the most productive and hardest to defend in the country. Fans, as well as opposing defensive coordinators, will be watching closely to see how Dickey, Williams, and Joyner split carries this season.
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This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Texas Tech’s running back room earns PFF’s No. 1 ranking for 2026
Reporting by Andrew McCleary, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew McCleary, Red Raiders Wire | USA TODAY Network
