Elite Combine 2026 RB Standouts
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Keyshawn Boyd Keyshawn Boyd 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Cape Central | 2026 State MO Cape Central– 6’0″ 191 Testing results: 4.68 40 – 4.19 pro agility – 9’11” broad jump – 32″ vertical jumpGreat size, runs with power…
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Keyshawn Boyd
Keyshawn
Boyd
6'0" | 190 lbs | RB
Cape Central | 2026
State
MO
Cape Central
– 6’0″ 191 Testing results: 4.68 40 – 4.19 pro agility – 9’11” broad jump – 32″ vertical jump
Great size, runs with power and speed. Keyshawn tested very well and looked comfortable during it and drills showing good strength, speed and quickness. He also displayed very good hands in one on ones and was among the top performers acknowledged following the event. Boyd ran for 2,063 yards and 34 touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per carry as a sophomore, and setting school records.
Jaylen Ballard
Jaylen
Ballard
5'8" | 165 lbs | RB
Francis Howell | 2026
State
MO
Francis Howell
– 5’7″ 180 Testing results: 4.6 40 – 9’11” broad jump – 29″ vertical jump
Speedy, elusive big play back who can take it the distance on any given play. Jaylen has shown superior athleticism and speed since 8th grade. At the combine he was among the fastest overall players and second fastest running back on the day. He showed good explosiveness and change of direction, along with good hands and route running ability in one on ones. Look for a breakout season from him.
Brady Dapkus
Brady
Dapkus
6'1" | 175 lbs | RB
Blair Oaks | 2026
State
MO
Blair Oaks
– 6’0″ 170 Testing results: 4.56 40 – 4.19 pro agility – 9’11” broad jump – 33″ vertical jump
Great overall athleticism, with speed, quickness and power. Was among the fastest of the combine and showed great versatility. Brady is a football player who could play pretty much any position and excel. Has great hands and is an asset as a receiver. Could also play defensive back on the next level. Look for him to have a big year after transferring to Blair Oaks from Southern Boone. Dapkus had over 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing, with an additional 511 yards and 7 touchdowns receiving as a sophomore.
Carter Dowell
Carter
Dowell
6'0" | 195 lbs | RB
Troy Buchanan | 2026
State
MO
Troy Buchanan
– 5’11” 195 Testing results: 4.75 40 – 4.25 pro agility – 9’10” broad jump – 30″ vertical jump
Another top sophomore running back who started on varsity and averaged 9.5 yards per carry and ran for over 1,000 yards in only 9 games in 2023, who came in and performed well, was the talent Dowell. Carter showed a great combo of power, speed and explosive quickness in testing, drills and one on ones. He also has good size at almost 200lbs, and showed good ability to get open and catch passes in one on ones. He is a complete back and looks poised to have a big season in 2024.
Noah Walton
Noah
Walton
5'10" | 190 lbs | RB
Potosi | 2026
State
MO
Potosi
– 5’10” 191 Testing results: 4.66 40 – 4.25 pro agility – 9’11” broad jump – 33″ vertical jump
After having a great varsity year as a freshman, Noah missed the 2023 season due to injury, but showed he is back and better then ever with his outstanding performance at the combine, Walton testing very well in every category showing speed, quickness, power and explosiveness, and then displayed his versatility as a potential weapon in the passing game with his route running and hands on the day against some good linebackers. He’s a running back who should get on college radars if he has the season I believe he will have.