2026 Rankings Newcomers: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone North Carolina recently updated their Class of 2026 Rankings, and several players were added to the rankings after strong junior seasons! This article will focus on selected Running Backs added to this ranking update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1106930"],"_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-679278fd9e98c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming off of a season where he led the state in rushing yardage, Jamal came into the Charlotte Christian program and had another strong season. Jamal rushed for 1236 yards and 15 touchdowns in a balanced offensive attack for the Knights. Jamal also caught 12 passes, showing his versatility as a 3-down back. Jamal has had a great year from a recruiting perspective, picking up offers from Appalachian State, Nebraska, NC State, Syracuse, and Virginia Tech in the last couple of months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593034"],"_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-679278fd9e9fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jadarius, or J-Man, is one of my favorite players in the state of North Carolina. And that is for both on-the-field and off-the-field reasons. On the field, Jadarius was involved in a timeshare with a couple of other talented running backs at Mooresville and a talented dual-threat quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='612118' first='Brody' last='Norman']. Jadarius ended up being the leading rusher for the Blue Devils with 950 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the season, with a 7.3 yards per carry average. Jadarius has excellent speed in the open field and has very good footwork and vision in and out of the hole. Off the field, he is a tireless worker and has the right mindset and attitude to be the best player he can be. I interviewed Jadarius after a Mooresville victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1842387645558669419">https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1842387645558669419</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600181"],"_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-679278fd9ea44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamarae is a highly productive player for the Bulldogs, and he had a strong season last year. Jamarae rushed for 1361 yards and 12 touchdowns and had a total of 1908 all-purpose yards, impressive production. From a recruiting perspective, Jamarae has recently picked up his first two offers from Texas-San Antonio and Charlotte respectively. On the field, Jamarae is a triple threat - he can obviously run the ball well, but he is also a great receiver out of the backfield. Also, Jamarae can line up at Wildcat QB and execute very well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600183"],"_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-679278fd9ea88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martino is a player who excelled very well and is a big reason why Ashbrook had a lot of success and made the 3rd round of the State Playoffs. Martino rushed for 1022 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season in a timeshare situation with other talented ball carriers for the Green Wave. Martino was named an All-Conference player for those efforts as well. Martino is a tough runner who excels in a power-based scheme where north/south running is the focus. He has good speed in the open field and can break tackles at the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1531320"],"_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-679278fd9eac9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carell was a HIGHLY productive player for a North Duplin team that attempted only 10 passes on the season! Wow. Carell racked up 1913 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns on the season, with an impressive 9.6 yards per carry average - every time he got the football, it was basically a first down. Impressive. As you figured out, North Duplin is a double-wing team, and Carell does a good job of sifting through traffic to find open spaces. Once Carell, gets into the open field, he has good speed and the ability to make 2nd and 3rd level defenders miss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Running Backs added to our rankings include: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1600186' first='Jarlon' last='Drye'] - Northwest Cabarrus<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1600177' first='Nymir' last='Kendall'] - Monroe<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1406075' first='Reggie' last='Bush'] - Lumberton<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1525230' first='Brody' last='Anson'] - Weddington<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1531332' first='Taeshon' last='Martin'] - Mount Airy<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1418020' first='Ellis' last='Williams'] - Laney<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1369343' first='Garrett' last='Nowlan'] - Charlotte Catholic<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->