Rutgers Football: RB1 up for grabs heading into spring practice

Rutgers football is set for its annual spring game. The program will hold its Scarlet-White game on Saturday, April 26, at 3 p.m. EST. The spring game is an intrasquad yearly matchup to determine the depth chart heading into camp in August. Rutgers has yet to set a start date for spring practices, but late March is a possible timeframe. It’s been a busy offseason for Greg Schiano and Rutgers football, as the Scarlet Knights have found success in the transfer portal.

While Rutgers played Kansas State in the Rate Bowl, Schiano was scouring the transfer portal looking for players to bring in to fill multiple spots, especially at running back. Who will lead RU’s rushing attack next season now that Kyle Monangai departs for the NFL Draft?

Running back is a position of strength with plenty of depth to replace Monangai. Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin saw action in the Rate Bowl, and now Rutgers welcomes CJ Campbell Jr. from Florida Atlantic University. Campbell adds veteran experience while rushing for 844 yards with 11 touchdowns this past season. He also added 40 receptions for 466 yards and three touchdowns. Campbell’s expertise and pass-catching ability will add a needed dynamic out of the backfield heading into the 2025-26 season.

Former FAU RB CJ Campbell has committed to Rutgers, per @PeteNakos_

Campbell rushed for 840 YDS, 11 TDs, with 47 Missed Tackles Forced this season🔥 pic.twitter.com/W6i8KWfGUv

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 13, 2024

Who will be RB1 for Rutgers Football?

Heading into spring practices, the Scarlet Knights have four running backs on the roster, with Campbell, Raymond, Benjamin, and Brown leading the group. Each of these running backs has experienced and seen action throughout their collegiate career, but which one will Schiano lean on to control the tempo on offense? Below is the depth chart leading into spring practices.

Rutgers Football 2025 Running Back Depth Chart

No. 1 – CJ Campbell Jr.

Campbell has the most experience in the RU’s backfield heading to the spring practices. In 2024, Campbell was named preseason Athlon All-AAC Fourth Team and was added to the preseason Doak Walker Award Watch List.

The 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back played 12 games for FAU last season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and 70.3 yards per game. He tallied 218 all-purpose yards versus Tulsa on 15 carries for 100 yards and a team-leading 118 receiving yards. Campbell received AAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention recognition for his efforts against Tulsa. He was also named third-team all-conference by Phil Steele’s Magazine.

No. 2 – Antwan Raymond

Antwan Raymond appeared in 10 games with two starts at running back while Monangai was out of the lineup. Raymond carried the ball 100 times for 457 yards and eight touchdowns, leading all Big Ten true freshmen in rushing. Also, he ranked fifth among Power Four players in his class in rushing yards. The Sophomore running back broke the Rutgers true freshman record for most rushing touchdowns in a season.

The 5-foot-11, 202-pound back ranked fourth on the team with 501 all-purpose yards, totaling season highs with 113 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Rate Bowl. For his efforts against Michigan State, Raymond was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after scoring two touchdowns with 71 rushing yards. Raymond and Campbell might battle it for the No. 1 spot heading into August, with both backs adding explosiveness out of the backfield.

No. 3 – Samuel Brown V

Running back Samuel Brown V is heading into his fourth season with Rutgers football. Brown has appeared in 24 games in three seasons with RU, recording 791 yards on 189 attempts. He has logged eight touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt and 33 yards per game. The 6-foot-1, 222-pound senior is the heaviest running back Rutgers has on the roster and might be used for short-yardage situations. As a junior, Brown played five games for the Scarlet Knights last season. He rushed 40 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns, adding a 34-yard receiving score.

Brown has battled multiple injuries throughout his career. A lower-body injury ended his season after five games last year, and he went down with a broken foot toward the middle of his freshman year in 2022. If Brown can remain healthy, he can compete for the starting role heading into camp.

No. 4 – Ja’shon Benjamin

Junior Ja’shon Benjamin is heading into his third season with Rutgers football. The 5-foot-9, 201-pound running back had a significant role in the Rate Bowl. With Monangai sitting out of the bowl game, Benjamin served as the Scarlet Knights’ change-of-pace option behind Raymond and recorded his first two collegiate touchdowns. Benjamin logged 100 yards on 19 carries in limited action last season, and he should see a more significant role in 2025. He might be No. 4 on the depth chart, but Benjamin is heading into spring practice healthy and ready to compete for the starting spot.