2026 Film Review: Potential Breakout Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the off-season, we've been doing an extensive film review over 100s of prospects in the Natural State. This article will go over potential breakout running back prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five ball carriers that I believe will showcase their skillset in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["364847"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-9u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e160 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRunning Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernMagnolia running back [player_tooltip player_id='364847' first='Jazaveon' last='Daniels'] brings athleticism and speed to the position. Daniels displays good agility with the ability to break through the second level with good acceleration. Smooth runner with good fluidity and the ability to attack the hole quickly. He's dominate on defense as well at corner. He is someone to keep an eye on during the 2024 season.rnrnNote - 3.7 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6612e0f210d71"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jazaveon1/status/1734819303650697255","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jazaveon1/status/1734819303650697255 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["442007"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-8u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e170 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRunning Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernFayetteville running back u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eKaleb Johnsonu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e brings good athleticism with fluidity to the backfield. Johnsons displays a quick first step with impressive burst to attack the opening. Demonstrates good lateral agility and balance to be a one-cut back to break outside immediately. Good speed, footwork and patience with good vision through the tackles. Succeeds as a receiving back as well. He is someone to watch during the 2024 season.rnrnNote – 3.7 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6612e0f210de4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kaleb_Johnson_5/status/1734549221947081033","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kaleb_Johnson_5/status/1734549221947081033 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["955836"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-11u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e185 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRunning Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernShiloh Christian running back [player_tooltip player_id='955836' first='Griffin' last='Mason'] is a workhorse back in the backfield. Mason displays good patience and vison behind the line of scrimmage, attacking the hole with good burst. North and south runner with good power and contact balance to break tackles. Has the ability to be a threat in the receiving game in the backfield and out wide.  Strong hands, consistent with active feet. Mason is a name you could hear a lot of next season.rnrnNote - 4.6 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6612e0f210e48"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GriffinMason_18/status/1748194717060231506","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GriffinMason_18/status/1748194717060231506 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1099930"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e180 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRunning Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernArkadelphia running back [player_tooltip player_id='1099930' first='Kha'lawry' last='McClinton'] brings athleticism, speed and fluidity to the backfield. McClinton displays good lower body power with active feet and balance to withstand contact. Good vision and burst to hit the hole and break through the second level. Showcases patience and speed with the ability to u0022get smallu0022 when attacking a running lane. Highly underrated and a versatile piece to an offense.rnrnNote - 4.45 40 / 46u0022 Vert","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6612e0f210ea7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lawry__14/status/1758739309216080371","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/lawry__14/status/1758739309216080371 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401206"],"_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":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-9u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e200 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRunning Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernHamburg running back [player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] is flying under the radar as he gives you a little bit of everything in a running back prospect. Lewis displays very good speed, fluidity and athleticism out of the backfield. Good one-cut ability with impressive burst to break away from the second level after making the first initial cut. Good balance to withstand contact with good vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage. Attacks with active feet and good acceleration through the tackles. Good upper and lower body power and strength to consistently break tackles. Would flourish in a spread, RPO or run-first type of system.rnrnNote - 4.43 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6612e0f210f08"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/IManmeeze/status/1776785248983888293","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IManmeeze/status/1776785248983888293 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->