2026 Rankings Update 4.0: Running Back

<!-- 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":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6765fa0db6053"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With another high school football season behind us in the state of Kentucky, it is time for another round of rankings updates! After wrapping up the class of 2025, we have now moved to the class of 2026. With the newest rankings update for 2026 class being officially posted, I'll be taking the next couple weeks to break them down by position. After already covering the quarterbacks, here are our top running backs in the class of 2026 in the state of Kentucky!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401707"],"_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-6765fa0db7cfd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401707' first='Evan' last='Hampton'] continued to establish himself as one of the top overall players in the state this season. He had a very strong junior year, carrying the ball 169 times for 1,549 yards and 20 touchdowns in 11 games. Hampton has very explosive speed which he uses to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency then run away from the defense on long runs. When defenders are able to catch up to him, he has shown the ability to keep his balance through contact to break tackles without losing stride. Hampton also played a key role in the passing game this season, catching 15 passes for 107 yards and four touchdowns. Evan currently holds a long list of Power 4 offers and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a high-caliber running back prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971533"],"_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-6765fa0db7d86"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971533' first='Chayce' last='Burton'] is a running back who has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to stand out as a junior. He finished the season with 128 carries for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. Chayce is a very elusive ball carrier, showing the ability to make moves in the open field to make defenders kiss with ease. He has also shown speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Burton also caught seven passes for 69 yards this season. Chayce currently holds multiple Power 4 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented running back prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971535"],"_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-6765fc8b8d8fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971535' first='BJ' last='Evans'] is a player who has been on our radar for a while now and finally got the opportunity to be a true lead back after transferring to Tates Creek for his junior year. Evans had a very impressive season, running the ball 194 times for 1,799 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games. He is a very strong, physical runner, showing the ability to lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders without breaking stride. Once he hits the open field, he has shown the burst of speed to run away from the defense on long runs. BJ also finished the year with 11 receptions for 59 yards. Evans currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Division I level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971534"],"_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-6765fc8b8d94e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971534' first='Gerian' last='Traynor'] is a player who has been high on our radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. As a junior, Traynor carried the ball 132 times for 633 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games. He has very impressive speed which he uses to get to the outside and up the field in a hurry to run away from the defense. Traynor also has very impressive vision in the open field, showing the ability to find cut back lanes and hit them in a hurry. Gerian has also shown the ability to line up in the slot and make an impact as a receiver, catching 15 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns as a junior. Traynor currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, UNLV, and Bethune-Cookman, and I expect more to come his way going into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283970"],"_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-6765fc8b8d995"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five running backs in the class of 2026, I have [player_tooltip player_id='283970' first='JayQuan' last='Crawford']. Crawford had a solid junior year, carrying the ball 68 times for 446 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games. He is a true power back, showing the ability to keep his legs churning through contact to drag defenders with him while picking up extra yards. In the open field, Crawford has shown the contact balance to bounce right off defenders without losing stride. JayQuan currently holds offers from Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Kent State, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->