West Virginia Watch list Deep Dive: 2026 Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last month, we started taking a look at the class of 2026 and taking a deep dive into each positions's watch list with the quarterbacks. Today, we get back on track by taking a look at a handful of class of 2026 watchlist running backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894938"],"_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":"Burgess is on the smaller side with a 5-foot-8 frame but has a well built frame at 175 pounds. With the smaller stature, he does have the athleticism and speed to go alogn with it. A reproted 40-yard dash time of 4.46 and that speed and athleticism shows up on tape as well. Tough nosed runner who is very strong running down hill, tough to bring down, strong lower body strength as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["894674"],"_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":"Very well built prospect at 5-foot-10 and 235-pounds, one of the bigger backs in the state at that size. However, despite that size he still is quite a solid athelte with a reported forty yard dash in the 4.7s. Most likely projects to a full back at the enxt level in a traditional offense but also plays defensive end for John Marshall.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["894766"],"_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":"Another smaller athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='894766' first='Ethan' last='Jones'] stands in right now in the 5-foot-11 range and likely weighs in around the 170 pound mark. That being said, we've beeen told that he's a very good athlete who shows strong vision as a ball carrier. Not overly shifty but uses that vision to his advantage. According to MaxPreps, he avregaed seven yards per carry this past season in limited action. Would really like to see what he could do with a bigger workload.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["284218"],"_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":"Labritz has a good frame at 5-foot-10 and is currently around 160-pounds with plenty of room within his frame to add more weight. He's always been a strong runner for his age with very good lower body strength, his athleticism and speed are quality but will need to improve going forward. There unfortunately hasn't been much updataed tape on Labritz however so its hard to say how he's developed as a whole over the last year or so.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["894989"],"_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":"Dual-sport athlete for Tucker County who also plays basketball. As a running back, there's not much out there on Mitchell at this current standpoint. We do know he stands in at around 5-foot-8 and 150-pounds. He's a good athlete at you can see that on tape when it comes to his basketball game. Smooth atlhete with fluid hips, explosive, and easilya ble to change directions. A lot of skills that will translate well to the running back position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='895008' first='Anthony' last='Morgan']","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Wirt County","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"There's very little tape available on Morgan, or measurables unfortuanately. That being said, we do know that Morgan stands at around 5'7 / 5'8 tall and plays both ways for Wirt County. While he reportedly shows upside as a running back, his best chance to play at the next level if he can add another few inches to his frame could be at linebacker where he was productive as a sophomore for Wirt County.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["888605"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Parosn missed the last portion of the season for North Marion, due to an injury but was quite productive when ont he field with 99 carries for 439 yards and five touchdowns. Well built running back and lienbacker at 5-foot-10 and 200-pounds, quality athlete.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ece98d7a814"} /-->