Way-to-early Big 12 running back rankings: Can DJ Giddens take a step forward?
![Sep 23, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) finds room and scores a touchdown against the UCF Knights. Sep 23, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) finds room and scores a touchdown against the UCF Knights.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3561,h_2003,x_0,y_292/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/172/01hyb6yg5q61fxdgrw8d.jpg)
The Big 12 had some of the best running backs in college football in 2023. It looks like that is going to be the case yet again as a handful of those running backs are making their return in 2024.
From Ollie Gordon II to DJ Giddens to RJ Harvey, the Big 12 seems like the premiere conference for running backs.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, with the addition of four more teams and the departure of Oklahoma and Texas, the Big 12 is set to have even more competition at the running back position. So how does each projected starting running back rank against each other in the Big 12?
. . 466. Big 12 RB rankings. . Cam Cook. 16. . Cam Cook. player
After a great season in 2022 making it to the College Football Playoff National Championship, the TCU offense took a major step back in 2023. Running back Emani Bailey was the one bright spot for the Horned Frogs in 2023. With Bailey now in the NFL, TCU looks to the next man up and that is Cam Cook who had just 16 carries for 58 yards and no touchdowns in 2023. Cook did not get a lot of chances behind Bailey in 2023 and now he is the next man up. Cook could break out and be a star in 2024, but without a lot of experience, he stands at the bottom of these rankings.