STOCK RISERS: New 2026 Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which 2026 running backs in Georgia are bound for big sophomore seasons this fall?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has the latest below...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='682100' first='Aryn' last='Grant'] - Shaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young two-way athletes in the Columbus area, Grant is a big, physical linebacker and running back who opened plenty of eyes last year as a freshman. At 6-foot-1 195-pounds Grant is a tackle-breaking machine who knows how to bowl over defenders who don't know how to make a secure tackle. He does a good job of leading with his shoulder and keeping his balance after contact. He ran like an underclassmen and was consistently one of the toughest and physical players on the field at all times. He has plenty of size and used it to his advantage against smaller defenders. He flashed D1 ability as a freshman and should see some interest and possible offers come his way down the road. As a freshman last fall, Grant rushed for over 560 yards and 10 touchdowns. Look for him to increase those numbers in a big way in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401491' first='Devon' last='Caldwell'] - Hebron Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An under the radar back in the metro-Atlanta area, Caldwell is coming off a really impressive freshman season where he helped carry the load at running back for the Hebron Christian offense last year. He runs hard for his age and had no problem going head to head against upperclassmen defenders in the region. He gets down-hill hard, falls forward at the end of runs, and keeps wanting more. As a freshman last fall, Caldwell carried the ball a good amount all season long, carrying it 143 times for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. When his name was called, he answered the bell. His best game of the season came against Franklin County where he rushed 12 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. He also had an 111 yard performance against Pickens County. He really opened some eyes last year, and he'll only get better and better as a sophomore in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584772' first='Ty' last='Cummings'] – West Laurens</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new breakout running back in Middle Georgia to keep an eye on for the 2023 season, Cummings is a fast-rising upcoming sophomore with easy big play ability. A really tough back for his size, Cummings was the one of the more productive backs in the 2026 class last year, rushing for 809 yards. It was a really tough year for West Laurens overall in 2023, but with Cummings running the ball as a sophomore, things could be much different in 2024. He had some big games last year with rushing games of 225 yards, 136 yards, 135 yards and 105 yards. He showed the ability to put the offense on his back and might have to do it again for a few games next year. If he continues to improve and has a big sophomore season, Cummings could see some serious D1 interest come his way down the road. He's an easy 2026 prospect to know and will be a name to keep an eye on in Middle Georgia moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->