Under The Radar 2026 Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some 2026 running backs bound for a gigantic junior season in 2024?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has all the details...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201792' first='Zamarcus' last='Lindley'] - Douglas County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new 2026 running back to know in the Atlanta area, Lindley was the team's leading rusher last season as he rushed for 854 and 5 touchdowns. The Tigers used a lot of running back, and this productive 6-foot-0 200-pounder led the way. He ran better and better as the season went along, rushing for 100+ yards in three consecutive games heading towards the back half of the season. His best game of the season came against Newnan where he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. He shows good vision and burst through the hole, and when he gets to the second level, he doesn't mind contact. He ran hard for a sophomore and could have an even better junior season next fall. He breaks tackles and runs with balance, something every back needs to have in their skillset. He's a promising back who could see some D1 interest come his way with a big 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/watkinsville/oconee-county-warriors/athletes/caiden-wood/football/stats/?careerid=e1vqh41f5nhcc">[player_tooltip player_id='1201790' first='Caiden' last='Wood']</a> - Oconee County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An Athens-area back on the rise, Wood is coming off a very promising sophomore season as he rushed for 950 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging over five yards a carry. A dependable back who runs hard at 6-foot-0 185-pounds, Wood was a touchdown machine who was so tough to bring down by just one defender. He may not have been the fastest or biggest back in the area, but he was certainly one of the most productive. He brings a nice combination of speed and agility which allowed him to run through defenses consistently throughout the 2023 season. He ended his fantastic season with a game for the ages, running for 324 yards and five touchdowns in a tough loss to Lumpkin County. He runs hard, gives maximum effort, and finds a way to stay balanced and on his feet throughout his runs. stays on his feet. He also showed that while he can break off a big run, he's still a dependable option in short yardage and goal-line scenarios as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201793' first='Joshua' last='Stanley'] – Bleckley County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An exciting two-way player and one of the top sophomore backs across Middle Georgia, Stanley is a versatile back out of the small-town of Cochran that flashed D1-caliber talent last year. The Bleckley County standout brings decent size, good vision, burst, and the natural ability to stay on his feet. He does a good job of powering through first contact to pick up a few extra yards before he goes down. As a sophomore next fall, this shifty but hard-running back rushed for an eye-opening 1,343 yards and 21 touchdowns last year as a sophomore. Without a doubt one of the biggest sleeper backs across the state for the 2026 class, Stanley was easily one of the most productive backs across Middle Georgia among all classifications. He ran for over 100 yards in six games last fall, with one being a monster 449-yard, five-touchdown game against Swainsboro. He's a real weapon for the Royals offense who should be even better as a junior in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->