2026 Film Room: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next position we dive into with our look at the junior class are the running backs.&nbsp; Here is our examination of the prospects we evaluated in <strong>2026 Film Room: Running Backs</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801877' first='Lesroy' last='Tittle'] (Nazareth – 6'1” 195)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a sophomore Tittle ran for 450 yards on 70 carries and 9 touchdowns. On the defensive side he had 69 tackles. As a running back his style reminds me of Adrian Peterson.&nbsp; One cut downhill run that hits the hole and explodes through it.&nbsp; Good build at 6'1" that plays with a mean streak.&nbsp; Burst with the ball and runs with authority.&nbsp; Runs over second level defenders.&nbsp; Physical in between tackles.&nbsp; On the defensive side he flies to the ball and is a physical tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801711' first='Dominic' last='Dileonardi'] (Geneva – 5'10” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dileonardi is a 5'10" running back with home run ability.&nbsp; He is slippery in the hole and shifty making defenders miss in the box.&nbsp; Often cuts it to the outside for long runs.&nbsp; Very good speed, vision, and creativity as a runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='345784' first='Nikolas' last='Kokosioulis'] (Maine South – 5'8” 155)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past season the Maine South back had 1,314 total yards including 18 touchdowns. Everything he does is a long run for touchdown.&nbsp; He has really good speed down the field and loves to get to the perimeter.&nbsp; Quick cuts and is shifty with the ball in his hands shaking defenders when he has to.&nbsp; Solid pass catcher especially going over the middle.&nbsp; As your would guess with his speed and burst he is a quality kick returner as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Craig Peacock (Joliet Catholic – 5'11” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peacock is a silky smooth runner.&nbsp; He is most of the time one of the side backs in the three back JCA offense.&nbsp; He runs behinds his blockers and then explodes downfield.&nbsp; Excellent downfield speed and seems to weave through defenders with ease.&nbsp; He changes directions well cutting back the other way multiple times on tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401593' first='Anthony' last='Finnegan'] (Joliet Catholic – 5'10” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finnegan is a 5'10" 160 pound back in Joliet Catholic's three back offense.&nbsp; Often lines up on the side for sweeping hand offs.&nbsp; Long strides and good speed.&nbsp; Follows blocks well and is a smooth runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801705' first='Kyveon' last='Chestnut'] (Bloomington – 5'8” 150)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chestnut is a smaller back at 5'8". Relies on his quickness and his speed.&nbsp; Hits hole and explodes through it.&nbsp; Does a nice job of setting up blocks and making guys miss at the line when he has too.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='369068' first='Xander' last='Salazar'] (St. Charles East – 5'6” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salazar is a 5'6" 160 pound back that is a speed back.&nbsp; He has great speed downfield and takes interior runs bouncing them outside for homerun plays.&nbsp; Good vision and defenders bounce off him despite his lack of ideal size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='801891' first='Owen' last='Yorke'] (Wheaton Warrenville South – 5'10” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong and stocky back at 5'10" 185 pounds. Runs with physicality and lays the hammer at the end of his runs.&nbsp; Hits hole and explodes through it with one cut.&nbsp; Legs are always moving.&nbsp; Good runner in between the tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400852' first='Trey' last='Gottschild'] (Glenbrook North – 6'0” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nice combination of size and speed here.&nbsp; He stands at 6'0" with the ability to take it up the middle and cut out to the perimeter where he can get downfield.&nbsp; Good speed and quickness in the hole.&nbsp; Also flashes as a pass catcher including taking a screen for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greyson Kelley (Batavia – 5'11” 190)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelley averaged 9 yards per carry this past season.&nbsp; He is a speed back that at 5'11" and 190 pounds has solid size.&nbsp; Quickness in the hole and when he gets downfield watch out as he has speed to blow past defensive backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401611' first='Jaylin' last='Green'] (Brother Rice – 5'8” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a 5'8" back that played on Brother Rice's JV team as a sophomore.&nbsp; Does a nice job of shaking defenders in the hole. Strong and smooth runner that attacks the hole.&nbsp; Weaves through traffic downfield and is a powerful finisher.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401630' first='Yasir' last='Taylor'] (Marist – 5'9” 140)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong bodied back that runs with strength. Like how he is always low to the ground on his runs and has a good center of gravity.  Excellent ball security switching from hand to hand and covering with both when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537239' first='Gavin' last='Dickson'] (Libertyville – 5'7” 140)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickson is a 5'7" scat back.&nbsp; He is a solid pass catcher that is quick with his cuts in the hole.&nbsp; Hides well behind his blockers and is sneaky strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->