Oregon State football position preview: Running back

Oregon State

football returns its leading rusher and bell cow back in 2025: Senior Anthony Hankerson.

The Beavers were 29th in the nation in rushing yards last season, leaning on Hankerson for roughly half of that production. He rumbled for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024.

Despite the departure of Jam Griffin and the tendency of quarterback

Maalik Murphy

to remain in the pocket compared with his predecessors, the OSU run game should remain potent this season with Hankerson carrying the load.

Projected RB depth chart:

Position grade:

A-

Analysis:

Listed at just 5-8, Hankerson’s speed and explosive ability are what make him great. Take last season’s 83-yard touchdown run in the finale against Boise State, for example. And watch it a second time if you love seeing an offensive line bully its opponent.

ANTHONY HANKERSON TURNS ON THE BURNERS TO TAKE IT 83 YARDS TO THE HOUSE!!!

#GoBeavs

pic.twitter.com/MsC96JiMZI

With Murphy as his new backfield partner, perhaps more opportunities will exist for OSU’s lead back to get out in space and make some plays in the passing game. Hankerson had 27 receptions for 151 yards last season.

He fumbled three times, losing two, but that is strong ball security for a back of his usage rate. Hankerson averaged 0.013 fumbles per carry, comparable to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty at 0.011 — although Jeanty carried the ball an eye-popping 26.7 times per game to Hankerson’s 19.3. That’s what happens when you’re on a Heisman campaign.

Backing up Hankerson will likely be a combination of Allah and Crosby, with some Reichle grit sprinkled in for good measure. Especially in short yardage situations.

Allah had 55 carries for 258 yards and a touchdown last season, and Crosby transfers in from Louisiana Tech after a redshirt junior season with 53 carries for 214 yards and a touchdown.

Both are elusive backs, but Allah may have the edge for that initial No. 2 spot due to his health and familiarity. Crosby is the more experienced back in potentially his final year of eligibility, but he was not the same player in 2024 after an injury kept him out for nearly all of the 2023 season.

The Beavers are hoping Crosby returns to form, and if he does, he could provide a terrific complement to Hankerson. As a true sophomore in 2022, Crosby started 10 games and appeared in all 12, rushing for 918 yards and nine touchdowns on 183 carries.

As is the case with Murphy’s potential production at quarterback, the OSU backfield can only go as far as the offensive line will take it. Trent Bray should just play the first five seconds of Hankerson’s run against Boise State on a loop for his re-tooled O-line room.

Other OSU position previews:

QB

OSU early opponent previews:

Game 1: California

Game 2: Fresno State

Game 3: Texas Tech

Game 5: Houston

Game 6: Appalachian State

Game 7: Wake Forest

Game 8: Lafayette

Games 9/12: Washington State

Game 10: Sam Houston State

Game 11: Tulsa

—

Ryan Clarke

covers the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter/X:

@RyanTClarke

. Find him on Bluesky:

@ryantclarke.bsky.social

.

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