2026 Rankings Update: Running Back Film Room

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although they may be rising sophomores, you should keep an eye on the Class of 2026 running backs that were included in this round of the PRZ Rankings. This group of backs have a couple of common characteristics: speed, power and an ability to make people miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284138' first='Rah'Keith' last='Kelly'], </strong>Byrnes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While at Spartanburg in 2022, Kelly made his presence felt. He showed an ability to make quick jump cuts and make people miss. Oh, and did we mention the speed of Kelly jumped out to us right away when we turned on the film? He is quick once he gets his momentum going and once he's out into the open field, good luck catching him. He has smooth hands in catching the ball, like on shallow routes, for example. He doesn't waste time in space, it's just simple north and south progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16357736/6384fd0c2aa6480a74990fe9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac79b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'], </strong>Gaffney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDowell has a great combo of speed and body control to where he can make people miss and not lose any of his top speed. Speaking of making people miss, he juked a defender right out of shoes on one play. We would not recommend trying to tackle him with an arm tackle because he will simply run right through it. He has good vision to find the open grass and get up field quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18415281/63d29edb02b1280d98782201' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac7df"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill']</strong>, Broome</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 player in the current 2026 PRZ SC Rankings (pictured above) is strong and runs with patience and power. He may not be the quickest guy in the world with world class speed, but he will allow his blockers to get going down field so he can explode through the hole. He has great size for the position and will run defenders over, especially in the inside run game. He has good hands in catching the ball out of the backfield and his pass blocking is impressive for a young guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16906143/63d8b6ad15f67609e0cc4412' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac7fe"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell'], </strong>Fort Dorchester</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another back in the Lowcountry who has a great combo of speed and power. Once he gets out in the open field or down the sideline, it's more than likely six points. He fights through contact and keeps his legs moving to pick up extra yards. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and the offensive scheme that the Patriots run allows him to thrive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17953867/63b51f1f15f59609d063a95d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ernrn","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac81b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473020' first='Martin' last='Ford'], </strong>Midland Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ford is a two way player who can bring the fight to a defender at the running back position, or come across the middle and blow up a play from his linebacker position. He has good speed on him and can make things happen in between the tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17643522/633d9fe6d21b250064cbc2d0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac837"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan']</strong>, Goose Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is very evident why the Gators opted to get McGowan on the field as a freshman. It's because he can run through contact and he has world class speed to go with it. Once he gets into the open field, he can make people miss and has excellent vision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15159526/63b718ca02b2130afcbb076d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64642d41ac850"} /-->