2026’s Up Next: Running Backs to Watch in 2025

<p>With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1283877' first='Enoch' last='Assan'] is coming off a dominant and impressive 2024 season. Looking to do the same in 2025. He displays very good post-snap vision, allowing him to read the defensive front and quickly identify running lanes. Assan has the lateral agility to create when facing early penetration due to his good lateral agility, change of direction, and burst. When he plants off his back foot, he explodes through the hole, highlighting his remarkable acceleration/burst. Additionally, he possesses multi-cut ability, good contact balance, and leg drive, enabling him to break tackles and evade second-level defenders easily. The student-athlete and person you want on your team. </p>   <p>Note - 4.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EnochAssan7/status/1857913618244972827 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='497411' first='Carson' last='Hayter'] is an intriguing prospect with insane potential. Due to his good athletic ability, Hayter is a quick and elusive running back. He displays good burst and acceleration through his running lanes, separating from the first—and second-level defenders. He also has good post-snap vision to aid decision-making. He demonstrates the ability to read the flow of the defensive line. He has good contact balance, leg drive, and lower body strength to withstand contact and break tackles for additional yardage. Keep an eye on him in 2025. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.6 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Carson_Hayter9/status/1861454902897058005 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1346246' first='Xavier' last='Harrell'] is a physical, north and south running back. He displays good food speed, athletic ability, and post-snap vision, enabling him to quickly assess first-level defenders and identify running lanes. He exhibits a solid burst that helps him separate from defenders and advance into the second level after making his initial cut. With his ability to quickly locate cutback lanes, good change of direction, and vision, he effectively gets upfield. Harrell has active feet, good leg drive, contact balance, and acceleration. He possesses good upper and lower body strength, allowing him to break tackles consistently. </p>   <p>Note - 3.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DaBoyZay13/status/1873292680698183910 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1418900' first='Xavier' last='Laster'] is a speedster and athletic out of the backfield who can also hurt you in the receiving game. Laster displays good foot quickness, acceleration, and burst to separate from the first level or beat the defenders to the sideline and get upfield. He gains extra yards with his solid leg drive, balance, and lower body power to withstand contact or break-through arm tackles. His size may halter some, but his film and determination say otherwise. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zaenextup7/status/1854215155279942071 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1591363' first='Rylan' last='Jones (Cheeto)'] is another north-south downhill runner who brings physicality to the point of attack. He demonstrates solid post-snap vision, allowing him to locate running lanes effectively. Jones exhibits good burst and acceleration when attacking the hole. His good COD, contact balance, leg drive, and lower body strength, he can make defenders miss in the second level and break tackles. Keep an eye on him throughout 2025. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.9 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rylan_j3/status/1843054301939425575 </div></figure>

With national signing day approaching, all eyes will focus on the class of 2026. This evaluation will examine the top talents and under-the-radar prospects who can make a significant leap in 2025.