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Player comparison, running backs

Makhi Hughes vs. Nolan James Jr.: 2026 stats compared

Houston vs. Notre Dame

Nolan James Jr. is ahead on 5 of 8 stats, including yards per carry, rushing TDs and rushing success rate. Makhi Hughes has the edge on rushing yards, carries and explosive runs (12+ yards). Both are running backs: Makhi Hughes for Houston and Nolan James Jr. for Notre Dame, 2026 season through Oct 24, 2026.

Makhi Hughes vs. Nolan James Jr., stat by stat

StatMakhi HughesNolan James Jr.
Rushing yards517 44th414 85th
Carries117 23rd81 86th
Yards per carry4.4 249th5.1 152nd
Rushing TDs4 87th6 40th
Rushing success rate54.7% 28th59.3% 13th
Explosive runs (12+ yards)7 98th6 136th
Catches9 114th13 51st
Receiving yards78 113th107 64th

The better number on each row is marked. National ranks are among every FBS running back with the stat; rates need a minimum sample (50 dropbacks, 20 carries, 8 catches). From the play-by-play, games through Oct 24, 2026.

Where do Makhi Hughes and Nolan James Jr. rank nationally?

Makhi HughesNolan James Jr.Rushing yards44th85thCarries23rd86thYards per carry249th152ndRushing TDs87th40thRushing success rate28th13thExplosive runs (12+ yards)98th136thCatches114th51stReceiving yards113th64th1st (best)428th

Each row is one stat. The dots show where Makhi Hughes and Nolan James Jr. rank among FBS running backs with enough snaps to qualify, with each player's rank printed by his dot: further left is better. Hover or tap a dot for the number behind it.

Makhi Hughes and Nolan James Jr.: career stats

Makhi Hughes

SeasonTeamCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TD
2023Tulane2581,3785.3711670
2024Tulane2651,4015.315191762
2025Oregon17704.102240
2026Houston1175174.449780
Career6573,3665.126413452

Nolan James Jr.

SeasonTeamCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TD
2025Notre Dame14372.60———
2026Notre Dame814145.16131073
Career954514.76131073

Seasons since 2022 from CollegeFootballData.com (FBS games), plus this season from the play-by-play.

Their seasons, game by game

Makhi Hughes

RB, Houston (6–2). Senior. 6-0, 210 pounds. Birmingham, AL

WeekOpponentRushing yardsCarriesRushing TDsReceiving yards
1Oregon State981718
2Southern44810
3Texas Tech7115028
4Georgia Southern7016014
5UCF2710019
6Kansas State781410
7Oklahoma State771803
8Utah521916

Nolan James Jr.

RB, Notre Dame (6–1). Freshman. 5-10, 212 pounds. Westwood, NJ

WeekOpponentRushing yardsCarriesRushing TDsReceiving yards
1Wisconsin176067
2Rice29621
3Michigan State1212617
4Purdue28708
5North Carolina65906
6Stanford771120
7BYU7716118

Questions about Makhi Hughes vs. Nolan James Jr.

Who's better, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Nolan James Jr. is ahead on 5 of 8 stats, including yards per carry, rushing TDs and rushing success rate. Makhi Hughes has the edge on rushing yards, carries and explosive runs (12+ yards). Both are running backs: Makhi Hughes for Houston and Nolan James Jr. for Notre Dame, 2026 season through Oct 24, 2026.

Who has more rushing yards, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Makhi Hughes: 517 rushing yards to Nolan James Jr.'s 414, 44th among FBS running backs.

Who has more rushing touchdowns, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Nolan James Jr.: 6 rushing TDs to Makhi Hughes's 4, 40th among FBS running backs.

Who's more efficient, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Nolan James Jr.: 59.3% rushing success rate to Makhi Hughes's 54.7%, 13th among FBS running backs.

Who has more explosive runs, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Makhi Hughes: 7 explosive runs (12+ yards) to Nolan James Jr.'s 6, 98th among FBS running backs.

Who has more career rushing yards, Makhi Hughes or Nolan James Jr.?

Makhi Hughes: 3,366 to Nolan James Jr.'s 451, counting FBS seasons since 2022.

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