The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and to prepare for that, we need Vikings fans to be fully prepared in every way. Of course, we will cover players the Vikings will need, but it is important to go beyond that.
In the case of this running back report, we will cover the position here at Vikings Wire because the team needs some better talent at the position.
The Vikings have shown that their offense and what they hope to achieve rely upon the team’s consistent ground attack. The trade for Cam Akers was a nice band-aid approach, but Akers and Ty Chandler aren’t long-term answers. Aaron Jones also has been a breath of fresh air and has made a bigger impact than anyone could have hoped. Even if they bring him back, we need a backup option in place and someone who could step up and become the guy if called upon.
With that in mind, here is a running back prospect who could don a Vikings uniform next season.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown on a 75-yard touchdown catch and run against Texas Longhorns in the second quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
Player: TreVeyon Henderson
School: Ohio State
Year: Fourth-Year Senior
DOB (Age when drafted): October 22, 2002 (22)
Height (unofficial): 5-10
Weight (unofficial): 212 lbs.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) carries the ball on a run against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Gabriel Rubio (97) in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
- 5-star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year
- First-Team All-Big Ten in 2023
- Third-Team All-Big Ten in 2024
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Touches: 667
Rushing Yards: 3,761
Rushing Touchdowns: 42
Receiving Yards: 853
Receiving Touchdowns: 6
Fumbles: 1
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs against Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Rushing Grade: 91.8
Yards Per Carry After Contact: 4.43
Rushing Attempts Over 10 Yards: 32
Missed Tackles Forced: 37
Breakaway Run Percentage: 53.9
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs during the first half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.
- The best pass blocking running back in this class and in recent memory
- A homerun threat every time he touches the ball
- Great vision and patience for him to be able to find running lanes while they develop
- Can be deceiving as a pass-catching back, not asked to do it much but can use his footwork and hips to turn upfield
- Good contact balance, doesn’t lose momentum when he gets hit
Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Vision: 7
Cutback Ability: 7
Long Speed: 7
Contact Balance: 7
Pass Blocking: 8
Break/Avoid Tackles: 6.5
Durability: 6
Receiving Ability: 6
Quickness: 6
Ball Security: 7
Sep 28, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) hurdles over Michigan State Spartans defensive back Justin Denson Jr. (12) in the second half at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
TreVeyon Henderson does everything you want if you are a coach or general manager looking for an NFL running back. He has patience, finds running lanes, and is explosive at the line of scrimmage, but he is especially strong with momentum behind him. He is one of the best running backs in the class, maybe even in recent years. Henderson has great contact balance and uses it to break off chunk plays anytime he touches the ball. He is a legitimate homerun threat and will be that in making plays the day he enters the NFL.
Player Grade: 6.95
Projected Role: Boom-or-Bust Potential, leaning towards Year 1 starter