Class of 2026 Top Running Backs – 704 Metro Area
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Jayden Jones Jayden Jones 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Independence | 2026 State NC – Independence Last season, Jayden burst onto the scene with a breakout season, rushing for 1830 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games, an average…
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Continue ReadingJayden Jones Jayden Jones 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Independence | 2026 State NC – Independence
Last season, Jayden burst onto the scene with a breakout season, rushing for 1830 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games, an average of over 150 yards per game. At 5’10 and 175 pounds, Jones started picking up recruiting momentum this off-season. Currently, Jones has offers from Charlotte, Troy, James Madison, and Liberty. When you look at the film and watch Jones live, his vision and burst through the hole are top-notch. The Patriots really ran Outside Zone well, and Jones really knew how to make his reads and cuts in synergy with his linemen. Jones is also a dynamic threat in the return game and can change the course of the game with a big return. I expect Jones to pick up more recruiting attention as this season begins.
Josh Falzarano Jr. – Myers Park
At 5’7 and 165 pounds, Josh is definitely a back that has some excellent speed and home-run hitting ability in the open field. Josh has some interest from a recruiting perspective, and if Josh is able to take advantage of the upcoming camp season, then he could jump onto some additional colleges’ radar coming into his junior year. Looking at the film, I like the one cut-and-go style Josh exhibits on his runs – there isn’t a lot of dancing and juking involved. Josh also shows some ability to catch out of the backfield and make plays in space. Josh is definitely someone that has to be accounted for at all times when he’s on the field.
Josiah Hill – Kings Mountain
Josiah was his team’s offensive MVP winner last season, and rightfully so. At 5’11 and 205 pounds, Josiah rushed for nearly 1000 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season while sharing time with a senior player. Josiah does have some college interest and is currently active on the summer camp circuit. With some good performances, Josiah should jump onto some recruiting boards. Looking at the film, Josiah shows that he is a strong downhill runner. Josiah hits the hole with force, has the ability to run through 2nd and 3rd-level tacklers, and should have a big junior season.
Zach Cullen Zach Cullen 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Sun Valley | 2026 State NC – Sun Valley
At 6’0 and 190 pounds, Zach rushed for 637 yards and 6 touchdowns and added 23 catches on top of that – some pretty good overall production as a sophomore. Zach got on the board with his first offer from Charlotte and has some recruiting attention from other schools as well. Looking at the film, Zach really does a great job on downhill quick-hitting types of runs. If there is a hole, Zach is going to hit it at a 100 miles per hour and probably will end up hitting his head on the goalpost. Zach also plays some linebacker on defense and does a good job of chasing plays down outside the hashes, especially in the run game.
Shannon Wingate Jr
Shannon
Wingate Jr
5'10" | 205 lbs | RB
North Lincoln | 2026
NC
. – North Lincoln
I had a couple of people tell me this young man needed and deserved some exposure, so I looked into him – it is definitely deserved! Last season, Shannon was an All-Conference player who rushed for 1186 yards and had 18 touchdowns on the season. At 5’10 and 205 pounds, Shannon has some good size and can take the weight of being a team’s first option on the offensive side of the football. Looking at the film, Shannon is the upback in the North Lincoln Wing-T system, and he does an excellent job of exploding through the hole on the dives both up the middle and off-tackle. Shannon shows the strength to run through tackles at the second and third level of the defense and has the speed in the open field to run away from defenders for touchdowns. Camp season will allow Shannon the opportunity to show college coaches more of his overall game.