Ohio State Football: Could lack of NFL contracts affect running backs in CFB?

The Ohio State football program has a long history of great running backs. From Archie Griffin to Eddie George to J.K. Dobbins, the Buckeyes have always had some of the best backs in the country. With how things are trending in the NFL, that could soon change.

Several high-profile running backs failed to get long-term extensions on Monday. Many other NFL running backs took to social media to talk about their displeasure with how the league has devalued their position and how kids will no longer want to be running backs.

As much as I hate to say it, I think they’re right. The trend in the NFL right now is to draft a running back in one of the lower rounds, run them hard for three or four years, and then draft another one. Teams don’t want to give a running back a second contract.

If that trend continues to happen, the Ohio State football program isn’t the only program that will see a lesser-quality running back. Every team across college football will suffer at that position because the talent won’t be there. Players will choose to play other positions.

Programs like Ohio State will still get the best of the talent that does play that position. But the days of getting great running backs like I mentioned before could soon be over if the NFL doesn’t reverse course on the trend of not paying running backs after a rookie contract.

I hope things do change. I like watching great running backs perform. They are some of the most versatile players in the sport of football. I’d like to see the Ohio State football program produce some more great ones. They just can’t have the talent go to other positions.

We’ll see if things stay the same or if they get even worse for running backs.