2026 Rankings Update: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've previously written about 2026 running backs [player_tooltip player_id='284039' first='DeZephen' last='Walker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1112573' first='Keyshawn' last='Boyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='691331' first='Jaylen' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1125456' first='Carter' last='Harrell'] in the new addition and stock riser pieces, but the 2026 class is one of the deepest in recent memory at the running back position, so here are a few more names you need to know about that you'll hear from in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284042' first='Jordan' last='Taylor']<br>SLUH<br>- The speedy Taylor (5'10" 185) had his sophomore season cut short due to injury and missed the majority of it, but he is healed, rehabbed and is expected to make a full return as good as ever. Jordan has been on my radar since he was an 8th grader, and saw a lot of action as a freshman at running back and linebacker on varsity. He was set to have a breakout sophomore season before he got hurt. He has been a consistent 4.5 forty guy in testing, along with showing a great combination of quickness, moves and power. On top of his good vision, quick feet and running ability, he is physical, blocks well and can catch the ball out of the backfield extremely well. Jordan is fired up and determined to showed what everyone missed this past season. He already holds a hand full of college offers, and is hearing from more schools wanting junior day and unofficial visits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402120' first='Jaylen' last='Ballard'] <br>Francis Howell<br>- In a class full of fast running backs in the 2026 class, Ballard (5'8" 175) will compete for the fastest. He runs sprints in track, and that translates to the football field for him in his play. In the off season in 2023 he ran 4.69 and 4.75 laser forty times and had a 30" vertical as a freshman. Despite limited carries playing behind a talented senior starter last season, Jaylen made the most of his opportunities averaging almost 9 yards per carry on only 51 carries for 441 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has good burst and hits the hole in a hurry using good vision and his size well to get through it quickly and then hit the extra gear he has to hit top speed, where he is tough to catch. Ballard also has good stop/start speed where he is able to stop, cut and reach top speed right away. Despite not being the biggest back, you can tell he spends quality time in the weight room and has good strength. Look for a big spring and summer, and breakout junior season in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402113' first='Courtney' last='Rivers']<br>CBC<br>- Rivers (5'9" 185) is another back who showed the ability of what was to come on the high school level early. He absolutely dominated freshman ball, and that carried over to varsity this past season as he was one of three in the Cadets running back by committee offense who had 100 carries in 2023. Courtney ran for 531 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was also a top receiver out of the backfield with 108 yards and a score on 12 catches. Rivers is compact, strong and is constant motion, which makes him hard to tackle as he pinballs off defenders. He has very good speed having run verified 4.7 laser forty times at the Elite Combine and Lindenwood Mega camp in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1125472' first='Tavion' last='Ware']<br>East Prairie <br>- One of the best running backs in the state you've probably never heard of (unless you follow me) is the (5'10" 200) Ware, who ran for over 1,000 yards as a freshman, and had a very good follow up season as a sophomore running the ball using a great combination of speed and power to pick up yardage. He's another of the talented group of running backs who showed out at the Elite combine in 2023 with a 30" vertical and 4.79 laser forty time. He's hidden down in the Bootheel but has the talented to play with anyone across the state and has when I have watched him in person. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='849692' first='Antoine' last='Gunn']<br>Hazelwood Central<br>- Probably the receiving all-purpose back I saw this past season was the (5'11" 180) Gunn, who has the pass catching ability of a wide receiver, and the natural running skills of his natural position. Antoine rushed for 668 yards and 5 touchdowns on 117 carries in 2023, and also averaged a whopping 17.9 yards per catch out of the backfield on 13 catches for 233 yards and a touchdown. Besides having the speed to get out of the backfield and get downfield and get open, he has very good running back skills, including toughness, running hard between the tackles, ability to keep his legs turning, and pick up yards after contact, and blocking ability. He can also run outside and make people miss, although he likes contact. He's definitely a back to know to see how he continues to progress in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->