2026 Rankings Update: Running Back Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially released another rankings update in the state of Arkansas for the class of 2026. In this article, we will showcase the 2026 running backs with analysis. Over the next month, I will break down these rankings by position in each class, including other segments. For the running backs, I will provide you with evaluations of some of the top prospects and the players flying under the radar:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2408","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2456","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df6656f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155131"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df6782b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1155131' first='TJ' last='Hodges'] lands at number one on our board and is rising in the nation. Hodges showcases very good speed and athletic ability out of the backfield. Hodges is a four-star running back with a well-rounded skill set, demonstrating both speed and physicality at the point of attack. He possesses very good post-snap vision, allowing him to quickly read defensive fronts and exploit holes with a burst of speed to separate from the first level. Hodges also displays good foot quickness, agility, and change of direction, enabling him to navigate through gaps and make cuts in the backfield or make defenders miss in space effectively. He maintains good balance and can withstand contact, utilizing active feet and leg drive to power through defenders. Additionally, Hodges possesses impressive breakaway speed, allowing him to outrun defenders in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List:&nbsp; Arkansas, Auburn, Arkansas State, Baylor, Florida State, Louisville, North Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss, Purdue, USC, UNLV&nbsp;&amp; Washington</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Sport Athlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/TerryHodgesJr1/status/1826725476238590054">https://twitter.com/TerryHodgesJr1/status/1826725476238590054</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1194202"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df678a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1194202' first='Korri' last='Graham'] continues to be underrated in the state of Arkansas, holding zero offers as he lands at number three on our board. He displays good post-snap vision with patience as he follows his blockers and locates the opening quickly. Showcases his good burst and acceleration to separate from the first level into the second level of the defense. He's elusive in space with good COD, lateral agility, and burst. Graham consistently displays good balance, lower body power, and leg drive to withstand contact and break tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – All-State</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GrahamKorri/status/1832427025954439213","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/GrahamKorri/status/1832427025954439213 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1336821"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df678e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1336821' first='Jackson' last='Ward'] comes in at number eight on our board. Ward displays patience with a physical north-south running style, complemented by good post-snap vision. His impressive vision allows him to locate running lanes quickly or evade penetration. He has a strong multi-cut ability and good burst through the tackles that allow him to separate from first-level defenders. Strong leg drive, balance, and lower body power to break tackles and gain extra yardage. Solid lateral agility and change of direction to make a man miss or find the cut-back lane. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas State &amp; Hendrix</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.69 40</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JacksonWard2026/status/1832865289207169189","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/JacksonWard2026/status/1832865289207169189 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142032"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df6792c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1142032' first='Rico' last='Ward'] ranks number ten on our board and is rising on my list. Ward displays solid post-snap vision and good patience to follow blockers and let running lanes develop in between the tackles or bounce outside with a good burst. He's able to beat second-level defenders to the sideline and accelerate upfield. He has good foot quickness, lateral agility, and a change of direction ability, enabling him to navigate through gaps and make cuts in the backfield or make defenders miss in space. He maintains good balance and can withstand contact, utilizing active feet and leg drive to power through defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note - 3.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ricoward15/status/1834025229313544200","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/Ricoward15/status/1834025229313544200 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1339312"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e317df67969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1339312' first='TJ' last='Brown'] lands at number 31 on our board and is rising. Brown is a north and south physical runner who brings good power, speed, and athletic ability to the position. Good post-snap as he displays a physical downhill running style with the vision to read the defensive fronts with patience to follow blockers on the outside and burst upfield. Multi-cut ability due to good change of direction, lateral agility, burst, and vision to locate an opening backside or play side. Consistently breaking tackles with good contact balance, leg drive, and active feet to create yards after contact in the first and second levels. Once read, he has the burst to quickly separate from the first level and get into the second and third levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TjBrown2026/status/1829514187686744526","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/TjBrown2026/status/1829514187686744526 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER TOP 100 RUNNING BACKS:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1152116' first='Owen' last='McLaughlin'] (Southside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] (Hamburg)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id='227421' first='Chris' last='Ficklin'] (Bentonville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='1192186' first='Tavien' last='Clegg'] (Malvern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='442007' first='Kaleb' last='Johnson'] (Fayetteville) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='401187' first='Cooper' last='Powell'] (Cabot)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='212208' first='Donald' last='James Jr.'] (Dumas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='771990' first='Hunter' last='Warren'] (Booneville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='806080' first='Brady' last='O. Penister'] (Junction City)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='260932' first='Tremane' last='Turner'] (Fordyce)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='222544' first='Corey' last='Crusterson Jr.'] (Joe T. Robinson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='630510' first='Malachi' last='Hamilton'] (Arkadelphia)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->