Ranking the best running backs Mississippi State will face in 2025

Stopping the run was a major issue last season for the Bulldogs and was a major reason why they won just two games. Have they fixed those issues?

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) stiff arms his way past Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Brice Pollock (14) at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

A year ago, running backs facing Mississippi State’s defense had to be excited about the performance they could have.

The Bulldogs weren’t very good at stopping the run. They weren’t the worst in the nation, but giving up 217 yards per game put them 129th out of 133 FBS teams.

Mississippi State’s struggles were most evident in its second game of the season against Arizona State. The Sun Devils ran for 346 yards with 6.1 yards per carry. Cam Skattebo had 262 of those yards and averaged 7.9 yards per carry.

ICYMI: Three reasons why Bulldogs can upset Arizona State in Week Two

That performance was just a sign of what was to come the rest of the season for the Bulldogs. If they want to win more than two games this season, the run defense will need to have made the biggest improvements.

Luckily, Skattebo is in the NFL but there are other running backs who tormented the Bulldogs last year and will have a chance to do it again in 2025.

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Size was a major reason why the Bulldogs struggled. Most weeks, the Bulldogs’ defensive line faced larger offensive lines. Using a primarily three defensive line front didn’t help matters either.

Mississippi State has addressed that issue with transfer players such as Colin Coates (6-foot-2, 320 lbs.).

Here are the three best running backs Mississippi State will face in 2025 and, yes, each of them were on the field for the team’s win against the Bulldogs last season.

Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) advances the ball as the Texas Longhorns take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. | Mikala Compton/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Quintrevion Wisner, Texas

2024 stats: 226 carries, 1,064 yards, 5 TDs; 44 receptions, 311 yards, 1 TD
2024 vs. MSU: 13 carries, 88 yards

Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Jadan Baugh, Florida

2024 stats: 133 carries, 673 yards, 7 TDs; 4 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD
2024 vs. MSU: 4 carries, 53 yards

Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) on the sideline against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Nate Frazier, Georgia

2024 stats: 133 carries, 671 yards, 8 TDs; 12 receptions, 85 yards
2024 vs. MSU: 10 carries, 43 yards

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks running back Ahmad Hardy (22) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Auburn Tigers lead Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 24-0 at halftime. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Honorable Mention
Ahmad Hardy, Missouri

2024 stats (with Louisiana-Monroe): 237 carries, 1,351 yards, 13 TDs; 8 receptions, 72 yards, 0 TDs