2025 Rookie Profile: RB Ollie Gordon II (Fantasy Football)

At a towering 6’1″ and a hefty 226+ pounds, Ollie Gordon II is built like the kind of RB that NFL scouts drool over. His 2023 season was a full breakout, leading the nation in rushing yards. 2024? Eh, not so much. His production took a dive. Oh, and then there’s that little speed bump off the field—a June 2024 arrest involving a suspected DUI, open container, and speeding—a red flag that NFL teams won’t ignore. With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, Gordon’s landing spot will be critical—not just for his fantasy potential but for how his entire NFL career unfolds.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2025 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2025.

College Production Profile

Gordon was a monster in high school, rushing for over 2,500 yards and 35 TDs as a senior. That earned him the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s 2020 Male High School Athlete of the Year award. A four-star recruit, he committed to Oklahoma State. He didn’t see much action in his freshman year in 2022 but did show out when he got the opportunity in the last game of the season against West Virginia. Gordon rushed for 136 yards and a TD, the most by any OSU back in a single game that year. It was a glimpse of the breakout that was just around the corner.

Gordon emerged as a star in 2023, leading the country in both touches (324)  and rushing yards (1,732).  He scored 21 rushing TDs as well.  He was named the 2023 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and won the Doak Walker Award after rushing for over 1,700 yards and 22 TDs. Pat McAfee even—dare I say—said he reminded him of Derrick Henry. Yes, King Henry. However, 2024 told a different story. His offensive line did him no favors, and the inconsistency from his QB wasn’t pretty, either. Gordon’s production dropped to 880 rushing yards and 13 TDs. During the Senior Bowl, Gordon showed his versatility, throwing a TD pass to Jayden Higgins.

Ollie Gordon II Bedlam Finale Victory Highlights: 33 Carries 137 Yards & 2 TDs for Oklahoma State pic.twitter.com/OaswuJpFkB

— Desert Dweller Sports Network (@DesertDwellerSN) November 5, 2023

Measurables:

Gordon is HUGE—89th percentile in height, 82nd in weight, and, most impressively, 99th percentile in wingspan. His 40 time wasn’t the hottest, and he’s not a burner (we knew that), but his game speed looks much better once he gets going. He’s more of a build-up runner than an instant accelerator.

What’s On Tape

Games Viewed: Kansas (2023), WVU (2023), BYU (2024), Arkansas (2024), and TCU (2024)

1. Bell Cow/Grinder

Gordon can handle a full workload—he proved that in 2023 when he racked up over 1,700 yards and 22 TDs, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and the Doak Walker Award. He’s a relentless runner, refusing to go down on first contact and keeping plays alive with sheer determination. He’s got that “budget Najee Harris” vibe—big, powerful, not the most explosive, but an absolute grinder who wears down defenses.

When asked what he brings to an NFL team, Gordon put it simply: “My hard work. I play every play like it’s my last. I’m an every-down back—you can use me on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. I’m able to do all that.” And the tape backs it up.

During his junior season, he played through visible injuries, often limping off the field but never backing down. Even with the season lost and no bowl game in sight, he kept pushing, carrying the team on his back week after week—just like my comp, Najee. The offensive struggles around him never fazed him, and Gordon is a true bell cow in every sense of the word.

2025 Rookie Spotlight

Ollie Gordon (RB – Oklahoma State)

After a tremendous 2023 campaign, Gordon took a huge step back in 2024 with the entirety of Oklahoma State’s offense struggling.

One year removed from putting up almost 2100 total yards and 22 TDs, Gordon redeemed… pic.twitter.com/wOwBzdn15j

— Cornerstone Fantasy (@90stoneFantasy) February 4, 2025

2. Tackle Breaker/Good Footwork

Gordon’s 2023 tape is fun—he runs angry. If a defender hesitates, he’s getting put on his back. Gordon isn’t just looking for contact; he’s initiating it, lowering his shoulder, and punishing anyone in his path. He’s got the power to shrug off tacklers and just enough footwork to slip by when necessary. And that stiff arm? Nasty. He’s not the shiftiest back, but he can cut when needed and breaks tackles in the open field. He will even get airborne to make catches or hurdle defenders. His reaction time is sharp, helping him make the right move in the moment. I expect to see him win an Angry Runs scepter at some point.

3. Decent Pass Catcher

Ollie Gordon II isn’t just a bruising runner—he’s got some real skills as a pass-catcher, too. He showcased soft hands and fluid route running for a back his size, making him a legitimate weapon in the passing game. He wasn’t just catching check-downs either; the Cowboys got creative, using him on screens, swing passes, and even the occasional wheel route. His ability to adjust to the ball and make defenders miss after the catch adds another layer to his game, making him more than just an early down grinder. If he lands in the right offensive system, he has the skill set to be a true three down back at the next level. One of my favorite plays from Ollie was during the BYU game, where he caught a first down in the red zone and then hurdled a defender for a TD to tie up the game. Truly impressive. 

AIR GORDON. By Land & Air.

Ollie Gordon scores his 7th TD in the last 6 quarters vs BYU#Big12FB | ESPN pic.twitter.com/rFuDGVorlj

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 19, 2024

4. Good Pass Blocker

The tape speaks for itself; Gordon isn’t afraid of contact. He will put his shoulder down and stop guys dead in their tracks and continually puts in the work to support his QB. Gordon holds his ground in the pocket, keeps his head on a swivel, and immediately locks onto the biggest threat to his QB. Once he sees it, he doesn’t hesitate—he steps up and shuts it down. Whether it’s absorbing a blitzing linebacker or throwing his weight into a pass rusher, he’s more than willing to stand his ground and do the dirty work.

Ollie Gordon II taking souls as a blocker, a compilation pic.twitter.com/qTECrDg1wB

— Ryland Bickley (@_Ryland_B) March 26, 2025

What’s Not On Tape

1. Lacks Vision/Explosiveness

I want to love Ollie Gordon so much, but his inside vision can sometimes be downright frustrating. When he gets into space, he’s a nightmare for defenders—his combination of size, speed, and open-field creativity makes him a legitimate home-run threat. But when he’s forced to run between the tackles, things get much tougher. He doesn’t have the instant acceleration needed to explode through tight creases, and if defenders penetrate early, he’s often stopped before he can even get moving.

That’s not to say he’s ineffective—once he builds up momentum, he’s a load to bring down. He has impressive breakaway speed for his size, and if he gets a clear runway, he can rip off chunk plays. But the issue is getting him there. Too often, he hesitates or dances in the backfield, which leads to negative plays. Some of that is on him, but it’s also fair to point out that his offensive line didn’t do him many favors. The blocking up front was inconsistent, and the running lanes simply weren’t there at times.

2. Ball Security Issues

There have been six fumbles over three years. It’s not awful, but it’s something to monitor.

3. Off-Field Challenges

Gordon ran into some trouble in June 2024, getting arrested on suspicion of DUI, open container, and speeding. The big question is how much this will impact his draft stock. NFL teams will definitely do their homework, and while talent talks, character concerns can be a red flag. Will this be a minor bump in the road or something that causes teams to hesitate? Gordon has taken full responsibility for the instance and apologized for his bad decision-making in this post to X:

pic.twitter.com/eqbsNSbf5f

— Ollie Gordon (@Ollie_Gordon2) July 8, 2024

 

Fantasy Outlook

After his 2023 breakout, Gordon was looking like a potential first-round pick. But after a rocky 2024—both on and off the field—most analysts now project him as a mid-round pick,  likely in the fourth round. In the right system—one that emphasizes gap and power running schemes—Gordon could develop into a starter. More realistically, he may begin his NFL career as a backup or part of a committee backfield. If Gordon lands on a team with a weak offensive line, a crowded backfield, or a pass-first offense, his fantasy stock will plummet.

Keep a close eye on draft day. Where and when Ollie Gordon II is picked will determine his fantasy value. The teams currently showing interest in Ollie Gordon II through team visits, the Combine, and his Pro Day are the Panthers, Steelers, Chiefs, Broncos, Cowboys, and Bears. A good team fit and earlier draft capital make him a steal, while a late pick or poor landing spot might limit him to waiver wire status. His journey to the NFL is full of potential—but also uncertainty.