Elite Position Groups: ’26 RBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a subscription</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our dive into the recruiting classes across Wisconsin and identifying the position groups that stand out from the rest. The groups that have a rare combination of top end talent and depth at the position. Positions that have FBS talent, and athletes who are going to have the FCS, D2, and D3 levels very excited. We looked at the '25 QBs, '25 DLs, and now we look at the Class of '26. In particular, the Class of 2026 running backs. These kids are dominant, explosive athletes that take over games and have the traits that allow them to easily stand out from the crowd on tape. The running back position always gets me hyped, so let's get right into the film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["948090"],"_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":"FBS teams have three solid strikes to get a game breaking athlete at the RB position in the Wisconsin Class of 2026. Leading the way for that group is Arrowhead's [player_tooltip player_id='948090' first='Jacob' last='Siner']. Siner has such strong vision and instincts. The sophomore quickly finds the open alleys made for him. He finds cutback lanes, and always seems to find a way to get himself outside and in space where he can let his athletic tools truly dominate. Out in space Jacob is able to shake defenders with his lateral agility and burst. Plus his pure speed allows him to pull away from the field if nobody is in front of him. Check out the sophomore tape below. The kid is a game changer and should be in line to really breakout this fall even more.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb0e7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16289313/6548358c19b0390d942d6808' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d92e9c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533154"],"_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":"Next up in this trio of electric playmaking RBs is Racine Case's [player_tooltip player_id='533154' first='Anthony' last='Liggins']. Liggins is such a natural playmaker with the ball in his hands. Doesn't matter if it is running or receiving, Liggins has a knack for creating the big plays. The rare plays that change a game and not many athletes a create, yet he makes them look easy. Anthony is going to give a team a legitimate mismatch. Not only as a runner. I'm confident you could put him in the slot and he would be able to easily get open for his QB. On the ground, the natural ball carrier vision, and patience allow him to find the path to green grass. He can also simply shake a defender out of his cleats. Then it's off to the races with his game changing speed. This kid is just getting started when it comes to developing and dominating WI HS football fields.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb151"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14544696/6517f13390f95c178c54499e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d92f1a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["948094"],"_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":"It is crazy that we have three backs with similar builds and athletic profiles that should have several options to play FBS football. Tommy should be the best known of the top three after leading his team to a D1 State Championship. Tommy has a well balanced game. He can create the big plays and make them look easy with his burst through gaps and long speed. He can cut on a dime, and has the wiggle to shake defenders one on one in space. Of the top three, Tommy is the back that we see carry between the tackles the most. He is the biggest of the group despite only being 5'9u0022 170 lbs. Tommy doesn't fear the tight quarters and trusts his acceleration and contact balance to not only be a problem outside, but also inside. I can't wait to see his encore this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb199"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17984583/650727161600960ab08f24c5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d92f8c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["700022"],"_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":"A back who I have been excited about for two years made his breakout in 2023. Matthew helped lead Badger HS to a D2 State Championship in an instant classic vs Waunakee. In that game, and all season, Matthew was the speedy mismatch out in space for Badger's triple option attack. The game breaker averaged 10.7 yards/carry and 27.7 yards/reception in 2023. The 6' 185 lbs back has a well built frame that can finish runs physically, but he wins with his speed to get to the edge and upfield. Matthew is also elusive out in space. He can stop/start quickly and easily. He sets up defenders. O'Grady is going to continue to rise in his Class. Don't overlook the Badger standout.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb1df"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17932657/656405577bd2e20be8ddc273' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d92ff8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["700018"],"_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":"Teams looking for a more physical, tone setting runner need to get Homestead's [player_tooltip player_id='700018' first='Bentley' last='Hickman'] on their radars. The sophomore is a powerful 5'9u0022 190 lbs that is built with a low center of gravity. Bentley does a great job playing behind his pads at the point of onto and running his feet through contact. That allows him to force defenders to bounce off of him. Bentley won't shy away from contact and finishes every run. The sophomore also brings some elusive agility to the field. He has plenty of examples of being able to  juke or cut laterally into open ground leaving defenders trying to corral him again. Bentley shines between the tackles. Check out the tape.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb223"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17934621/651b0b4764e9791340966f6b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d93064"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1184253' first='James' last='Ford III']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"165","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Beloit Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We end with an RB who has found his way onto my radar after a strong sophomore season. That is Beloit Memorial's [player_tooltip player_id='1184253' first='James' last='Ford III']. James is a similar back to the ones earlier in this article. Someone who wins out in space with his vision to finds blocks, seams of daylight, and spots he can cut back through. His speed allows him to threaten pursuit angles. The sophomore also plays very quick and elusive between the tackles. You see him cut and accelerate, leaving defenders overrunning him and missing tackles. James also plays with solid contact balance, allowing him to run through arm tackles attempts. Get to know this back. The tape is linked below.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cea8efdb2ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19648768/6530064eb023740bbc5abc77' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65cfb79d93134"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Athletes to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1220716' first='Brady' last='Kaufman'], Sun Prairie East</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='910584' first='Noah' last='Reinhart'], West Bend West</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402810' first='Elijah' last='Jackson'], Middleton</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402820' first='Tyler' last='Conradt'], Germantown</em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->