Apex Predator Backs Positioned to Dominate This Fall

With the 2026 ranking updates rapidly approaching, I will be featuring players from that class for the forseeable future as we shine a spotlight on the ballers bearing down on the all-important encore senior season.   I will continue to cover the other classes but not with as much emphasis while we amp up our 2026 coverage.   In this report we will take a look at a handful of baller backs who are springboarding off standout junior seasons and making final preparations for 2025. A few of these guys were among the most prolific runners in the state last fall, with the others in hot pursuit.   Additionally, these guys are headhunters on the other side of the ball, bringing the hammer every down.   So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at the next wave of baller backs and backers getting ready to blow things up in 2025:   [player_tooltip player_id='1310981' first='Reggie' last='Reece']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/reggie-reece/"></a> , 6'2, 210, RB, Mill Valley, '26, is coming off a standout junior season as the primary lethal weapon in the powerful Mill Valley running attack. This past fall he ripped up defenses for 1,948 yards on 233 carries, for an 8.4 yard average and 25 TD's. He was also dynamic catching the ball out of the backfield, with 162 yards receiving on 10 catches, to give him 2,000+ total yards on the season. He is a big, strong work horse of a back who can blow up defenders between the tackles but also hit the perimeter and outrun the secondary to paydirt. He is a slashing, physical runner who will run over and through defenders and when he gets past the line it usually takes more than one defender to bring him down. This guy is going to be en fuego this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780341' first='Parker' last='Schwarz']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/parker-schwarz/"></a> , 6'1, 205, RB/LB, Prairie View, '26 is another big-time back who went scorched earth on the competition this past fall with an eye-popping 2,305 yards rushing on only 163 carries for a blistering 14.2 average and 26 TD's. He is a powerful runner on the inside plays, but his breakaway instincts and vision running to daylight are even more impressive. On the other side of the ball he is a versatile defender who hits like a sledgehammer and piled up 62 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, a pair of interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He even averaged 50+ yards per punt when called on. In the off-season he wrestles and and runs track. This guy was a man among boys this past season and is ready to amp it up even more in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1431941' first='Camron' last='Wetter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/camron-wetter/"></a> , 5'10, 185, RB/LB, Marysville, ‘26, is coming off a dominant junior season as a versatile, two-way, multi-poisitional player who makes things happen. On offense he lines up as a tailback, on the wing or as an H-back and gets the ball in a variety of sweeps and reverses. He is a tough runner with a low center of gravity who fights for the extra yard. Where he really shines, however, is as a wrecking ball of a linebacker who can collapse down and shut off the run inside or dominate the perimeter when the offense tries to go wide. As an outside linebacker he can storm the gate off the edge or sink into coverage and take out the pass game in the flat. In the off-season he wrestles and plays baseball. Get this kid on your watchlist, he is getting ready shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598898' first='Conner' last='Bush']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/conner-bush/"></a> , 5'11, 185, RB/DB, Rossville '26, is a two-way athlete and playmaker on both sides of the ball. On offense he is a running back with great vision and instincts who gained 690 yards on 79 carries for an 8.7 yard average and 10 TD's. He also added another 170 yards on receptions and returns to give him just under 900 total yards and 11 total TD's. On defense he is a destroyer in attack mode, piling up a jaw-dropping 120 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and a couple of interceptions. He has outstanding read and react skills and usually reads the play before the snap. He is also an excellent punter, averaging 33 yards a punt with a couple pinned inside the 20 yard line. In the off-season he plays baseball. Get your popcorn out for this guy in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1599861' first='Brody' last='Telfer'], 5'10, 200, RB/LB, Emporia, '26, is another talented two-way baller who can pound the rock as a running back on offense and also line up and excel at middle linebacker on the other side of the ball. As a runner, he has the power to run through arm tackles and slice through traffic for the extra yard. On defense he is a smothering linebacker who shuts down the run game. He has a strong base and maintains great pad level when delivering a blow. With quick feet, he moves well laterally and plays sideline to sideline. His instincts are excellent and when he decides to shoot the gap he gets in the backfield like a heat-seeking missile. In the off-season when he isn't training for football, he wrestles and runs track. Get out and see a guy getting ready to go off this fall.     In conclusion, these guys are getting ready to blow it up in 2025, so get out and see them while you still can. And, as always, if you know of a player or team not getting any exposure give me a shout via PM on X.

With the 2026 ranking updates rapidly approaching, I will be featuring players from that class for the forseeable future as we shine a spotlight on the ballers bearing down on the all-important encore senior season.