Class of 2026: My D1 Graded Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 rankings is set to update in February! As of right now, I have six running backs with confident D1 grades. Here are my evaluations for all six! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["563425"],"_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-6769cc9504786"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first couple of RBs on this list shouldn't be a surprise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So, yeah, big shocker here- I have Izaiah graded a D1 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll keep this short- Izaiah is a pure 3-down back. He can power through short-yardage situations, take tosses/screens to the house, be a threat in the receiving game, etc. I firmly believe that Izaiah will one day be an excellent RB for a Power 4 program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> A-<br><strong>IQ:</strong> B+<br><strong>Strength:</strong> A-<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> B+<br><strong>Blocking: </strong>B</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148693"],"_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-6769cc95047e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another no-brainer here. Kory isn't as well-rounded as some RBs in this class, but he's by far the most athletic and explosive. Think Jahmyr Gibbs- extremely slippery, explosive, a threat in the passing game, etc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On top of that, Kory has extremely good contact balance for his size. I know his season got cut short due to injury, but I firmly expect Kory to come back stronger than ever. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> A<br><strong>IQ:</strong> B<br><strong>Strength:</strong> B-<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> A<br><strong>Blocking:</strong> D</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["206418"],"_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-6769cc9504825"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jayden is and always will be a Division 1 prospect in my eyes. A pure 3-down back. Sure, the power-T offense isn't as complex as other offensive schemes, and Jayden may not be able to fully showcase his abilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, his skill still really, really shines. Once Jayden gets to the second level, he's gone. So many highlights burning past great defenses. Plus, Jayden is great in short-yardage situations. Great contact balance, overall power, and sneaky athletic. The only two things that could possibly keep him off of a D1 roster are grades and personality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> A-<br><strong>IQ:</strong> B<br><strong>Strength:</strong> A-<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> N/A<br><strong>Blocking:</strong> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226338"],"_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-6769cc9504866"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dukes had a breakout Junior season after his Sophomore season was cut short. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched Dukes twice this past season, during the first and last week of the season. In both week 1 and the State Championship, Dukes had a few truly standout highlights. Especially outside of the tackles, I'm consistently extremely impressed with his vision. He can get past some very athletic defenders, then turn up field for a huge gain. I will say that his contact balance could use some work, but that's about it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> B+<br><strong>IQ:</strong> B-<br><strong>Strength:</strong> D<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> B<br><strong>Blocking:</strong> C</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148704"],"_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-6769cc95048a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've seen Triplett twice in person; once during week 1 of the 2023 season, and once during this year's postseason. In short, he's a prototypical elusive RB. Great outside the tackles, good in the passing game, and 100% has the athletic ability needed to make a Division 1 roster. Lower MAC prospect; I could see Donovan work his way up in the MAC or play sooner in the GLIAC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> B<br><strong>IQ:</strong> B-<br><strong>Strength:</strong> D<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> B<br><strong>Blocking:</strong> N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["307683"],"_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-6769cc95048e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finally, we have [player_tooltip player_id='402064' first='Tomarion' last='Steward'] from Mona Shores. I think he took a big step forward this season, but he's still a shorter-yardage Power RB, first and foremost. His athleticism is the biggest area he needs to improve. Still way above average but not elite like others on this list. Also, his vision could improve. Too many times have I seen Tomarion run into the teeth of the defense. Still, elite power, great contact balance, and a super, super high ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Athleticism:</strong> C+<br><strong>IQ:</strong> D<br><strong>Strength:</strong> A+<br><strong>Receiving:</strong> N/A<br><strong>Blocking:</strong> B-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->