The San Francisco 49ers made one of the biggest trades in NFL history back in 2022, going all-in on bringing an elite playmaker at the running back position.
Christian McCaffrey, when healthy, has been a major asset to San Francisco. However, for all the money he is being paid, the former Carolina Panthers running back doesn't help the 49ers when he is hurt and sits out.
Isaac Guerendo was a rookie last year, and Jordan James is one this season. However, both slide up the depth chart with Jordan Mason getting traded by the 49ers to the Minnesota Vikings last spring.
In June 2024, McCaffrey agreed to a two-year extension worth $38 million. That deal has him locked up through 2027.
However, the 49ers' starting running back missed practice this week due to a calf injury, and it reminds fans of similar injury setbacks he endured a year ago at this time. Those ultimately limited him to just four games played, and approaching 30 years old, that's not good.
As the college football season is already underway, perhaps it's time San Francisco's scouts started looking for a potential replacement for the star running back who'd be available in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Look no further than Big Ten Conference for running backs
The 49ers have looked here before and recently. James was drafted back in April after wrapping up his collegiate career with the Univeristy of Oregon Ducks.
Here are three names for the Niners to watch ahead of next year's NFL Draft.
1. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
In the 46-11 victory over Nevada, Nicholas Singleton was productive with the few touches he got. The senior running back scored twice on the ground despite having just eight carries for 19 yards.
Two seasons ago, Singleton had 171 carries for 752 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. With just one more carry a season later, the Nittany Lions tailback eclipsed those marks.
In 2024, Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 172 carries. He also racked up 375 receiving yards on 41 catches in addition to five more touchdowns.
Listed as one of the top running backs in the Big Ten, Singleton would be a nice catch if he landed at the 49ers' first draft pick in April's draft. His teammate, Kaytron Allen, would also be a solid running back to take if available.
Allen also had eight rushes for Penn State against Nevada but ran for 43 yards, more than Singleton. The Norfolk, Virginia, native recorded even more rushing yards in 2024 than Singleton with 1,108.
2. Darius Taylor, Minnesota
The Golden Golphers running back doubled his touchdown total from 2023 to 2024. He had five as a freshman, then added ten more scores as a sophomore.
Darius Taylor was 14 yards shy of eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards last year. He was a major focal point for Minnesota in the season opener.
On 30 carries, Taylor recorded 141 yards at home against Buffalo. Last year, he had five games in which he ran for at least 100 yards, including two against nationally ranked opponents.
Taylor also had three games in which he scored more than one touchdown, running and/or receiving. That level of offensive productivity would serve San Francisco nicely should it move on from McCaffrey.
3. Waymond Jordan, USC
In his first game for the University of Southern California Trojans, Waymond Jordan had five rushes for a total of 42 yards. His touchdown was one of many by the Trojans in their 73-13 win over the Missouri State Bears.
The junior running back also hauled in a 16-yard pass against the Bears. He showed flashes of McCaffrey by racking up yards on the ground and in the air.
Honorable Mention: Javian Thomas, UCLA
In 2024, Javian Thomas had 100 carries and seven rushing touchdowns for the California Golden Bears. This season, he now plays for the UCLA Bruins in the Big Ten.
Thomas is a junior this year as the Bruins lost their first game of the season to the University of Utah Utes. The Oakland, California, native has shown pass catching capabilities, too.
Last year, Thomas caught 11 passes for a total of 91 yards. His biggest reception of the 2024 season came in the one-point loss to the University of Miami (ranked No. 8 in the country at the time).