2027 Watch List: 6 Early RBs to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 Watch List has made its debut and 100 of some of the top freshmen in the state have been added. While there will be many more added through the next three years, it's important to recognize some of the 2027 prospects and start getting them on the radar. Here are some 2027 running backs that have shown early signs of developing into future college prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["864596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2027 running back names are limited right now but one that I believe has big-time potential and upside is Robert C. Byrd's [player_tooltip player_id='864596' first='Jaden' last='Hatfield']. Hatfield has freakish athletic traits for a freshman already running a 4.6 40 and ran a sub-11.5-second 100m dash as an 8th grader. High school highlights are limited right now, but Hatfield was a terror on the middle school and youth football scene. He's still competing at the youth football level and just won the WV Showdown 14u championship with North Central United. Hatfield is an explosive athlete who is far ahead of most freshmen from an athleticism standpoint. He's a natural playmaker on the football field with gifted instincts who very well could become a D1 prospect by the time he's a senior. As more high school film becomes available we'll get a better idea of his play at this level, but Hatfield is certainly a name colleges should be keeping tabs on already.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["920512"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another fun 2027 running back prospect that flashed some very good potential and upside is Huntington's [player_tooltip player_id='920512' first='Andreas' last='Reese']. Reese is a dynamic athlete doing so at the running back position and also as a returner on special teams. He's your classic scatback who has yet to hit his growth spurt but already has all of the athletic tools to develop into a big-time playmaker. Reese has innate speed and quickness with some twitch to his game that makes him a very tough tackle. While Huntington has a loaded skill player group returning next season, I could see Reese being a varsity return man in 2024. He'll also be an asset to the Highlanders' track team in the coming months as a sprinter. He's another name to tuck away for later and keep an eye on for the next three years at one of the best programs in the state.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1154896"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Philip Barbours' [player_tooltip player_id='1154896' first='Mason' last='Jones'] saw some varsity action for the Colts on their best team in school history as a freshman. Jones is another little scatback who is still waiting to hit a growth spurt but flashed some athletic traits on film as a young athlete. He rushed for over 200 yards and a touchdown during his freshman campaign including a 16 carry, 124 yards, and a touchdown performance against Berkeley Springs. The Colts will lose their top two rushers from a season ago so Jones could step right in and be one of their primary backs in 2024 as a sophomore. Jones was able to provide some reps on defense as well and finished the season with 20 tackles and 2 TFLs. He flashed good speed and quickness with fluid hips and some wiggle in his running style.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1154891"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I liked what I saw on film from Bridgeport's [player_tooltip player_id='1154891' first='Gabe' last='Martin'] who performed well at both running back and linebacker on the Indians' freshman team this season. You can tell once he gets bigger he'll be one of their fullbacks in their single-wing scheme. Martin also showed quality speed and can get to the corner for big gains at times. He's also a tough physical runner between the tackles who will put his shoulder down and fall forward. Martin appears to be a disciplined player who understands the game at a higher level than most freshmen. That was apparent on the defensive side of the ball at outside linebacker where he did a great job of keeping contain and knowing his assignments in coverage. Martin should be yet another plug-and-play running back and linebacker for the Bridgeport varsity team sooner rather than later.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1154892"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"I got to catch one of John Marshall's freshmen team games this fall and 2027 RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1154892' first='Marshall' last='Holland'] stood out. He saw some limited varsity action in 2023, but I would bet he's a significant contributor in 2024 or possibly even a starter. Holland is a fluid athlete who's light on his feet and has a nice combination of power and speed for a young running back. He has the versatility to run between or outside the tackles and can run through tacklers or make them miss. On defense, Holland is a thumper with good pursuit speed and may eventually be ranked as a linebacker in our 2027 rankings. He has limited film available right now, but having seen him in person, I think he'll be a notable athlete in the 2027 class down the road.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1154890"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Once Frankfort ATH/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1154890' first='Peyton' last='Brittingham'] hits his growth spurt, I think he'll be a real player out in the Potomac Valley. The 5'6 130 scatback has playmaking ability and is a dynamic little player. Brittingham plays above his size and put some good things on film from playing on their younger team. He's shifty and has some wiggle in his running style with speed to get in the open field. Brittingham is very light on his feet and can make a cut on a dime but also has good balance that can stay on his feet after contact even at a smaller size. He can help you on defense as a DB and as a returner on special teams where he may be able to see varsity action next season. I think Brittingham will be a small college prospect by the time he's a senior, but if he hits a big growth spurt he may develop into a scholarship-level player.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b0161077278"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other 2027 RBs to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154897' first='Austin' last='Price'] - Pocahontas County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154895' first='Braydn' last='Tyler'] - Frankfort</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864956' first='Jairus' last='Robinson'] - Point Pleasant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154893' first='Peyton' last='Bailey'] - Spring Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154894' first='Willis' last='Wilson'] - Bluefield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Don't see your name on the Watch List or Rankings? Visit our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/"><strong>Prospect Index</strong></a> page and claim or create your <em><strong>FREE</strong></em> player profile to ensure you are on our radar!*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->