Sleeper 2026 Running Backs Running Wild To State The 2024 Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper 2026 running backs are running wild so far this season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576068' first='Darrian' last='Roberts'] - Atkinson County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the state's leading rushers right now, this under-the-radar small-town running back is off to a tremendous start to his junior season. The tough, chain-moving back rushed for a respectable 74 yards in the season-opener but has been running wild ever since. Roberts took off for 237 yards and four touchdowns in a week two win, 110 yards, and two touchdowns in a week three win, and then ran for 214 yards and three more touchdowns in a week four win. Roberts is putting the offense on his back right now, and he's doing a terrific job as his team has won their last three games. He's a tough, durable back who should continue lighting up the stat sheet throughout his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian “Deuce” Lawrence - Thomas County Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shifty, tackle-breaking back who is quickly becoming one of the best you'll find across South Georgia, Lawrence is a hard-running back with strong hands in the passing game. He's the leading back for one of the state's top programs and is off to an excellent start to his junior season. He's electric with the ball in his hands and is averaging an eye-opening 12 yards per carry through his first four games. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in three of his four games and has rushed for yards of 128, 172 and 199 yards. In total, Lawrence has rushed for 564 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. Look for him to be added to the next 2026 rankings update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/acworth/allatoona-buccaneers/athletes/xavier-rucker/football/stats/?careerid=ipu4scne277rb">[player_tooltip player_id='1201831' first='Xavier' last='Rucker']</a> - Allatoona</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A speedy, versatile player with game-changing potential in the 2026 class, Rucker is an explosive overall athlete who was consistently one of the best players on the field last year. He's coming off a strong sophomore season last year where ran for 543 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. Now, he's having a breakout junior season and is one of the better backs across the area in his class. He's been a reliable weapon to start the 2024 season, rushing for 558 yards and eight touchdowns through his first four games. His biggest game came against Holy Innocents last weekend where he took off for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He's rushed for at least one touchdown in every game so far and has his best football still ahead of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/dahlonega/lumpkin-county-indians/athletes/nolan-matthews/football/stats/?careerid=jj6qqf8tvm2ue">[player_tooltip player_id='1577115' first='Nolan' last='Matthews']</a> - Lumpkin County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sleeper North Georgia running back on the rise, Matthews is a versatile weapon who can make plays both out of the backfield and in the return game on special teams. He's a max-effort runner who brings an impressive level of speed, burst, and natural vision when eluding defenders down the field. He's one of the top 2026 running backs in the area and is off to an impressive start to his junior season. Matthews has rushed for 380 yards through his first three games, averaging an excellent 126.7 yards per game. He rushed for 54 yards in week one, but followed that up with 116 yards and two touchdowns in a week two victory over Hart County. Last weekend, Matthews for 210 yards and three touchdowns last weekend in a win over Dunwoody.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577134' first='Jamarcus' last='Harrison'] - East Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He may play quarterback, but make no mistake, Harrison is one of the top sleeper backs in the 2026 class and one of the leading rushers among juniors. He runs the offense well and does a good job of reading the defense and looking for a hole to run through. Once he gets through the line of scrimmage, Harrison is tough to corral and get to the ground. He's a smooth runner who picks up yards in a hurry, and he's rushed for a lot of yards so far this fall. The dual-threat quarterback is showing off his legs to start his junior season, rushing for 403 yards and three touchdowns through his first four games. Leading East Hall to a promising 3-1 record, Harrison has rushed for 100_ yards twice so far this year. Look for Harrison to keep making plays with his feet more and more as the season moves along.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->