Q1 Stock-Risers: 2025 Running Backs on the Move

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season concluded, we've updated our rankings. We didn't do a complete overhaul of the 2025 rankings, but there are still several players that made big moves. Here, we break down the running backs that moved up in the final 2025 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Stock-Risers: Running Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1357070"],"_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-67798567b951b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With his size, Griffin isn't trying to hide what he's about. He wants to get downhill in a hurry and if there's a defender in the way, he's going to run over him. He has impressive quickness for his size and he's able to make cuts while moving forward at close to his top speed. If there's any open field, he can eat up ground in a hurry and pick up both easy open-field yards and tougher yards near the first down line or end zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["421109"],"_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-67798567b95a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Summers was surrounded by high Division 1 talent on his 4A State Champion Grimsley offense, and yet, he was the go-to guy. He has some of the best patience and vision you'll ever see from a high school running back. Though he's undersized, he runs with excellent power and contact balance. If he were a bit bigger, he'd be a sure FBS prospect. At his size, he can still be a great pickup for an FCS school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303785"],"_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-67798567b9602"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every year, Weddington has a player or two who comes out of nowhere to hit our radar late in the process. Diamond was that guy this season. He's a compact back with great pad level. That allows him to break a lot of tackles and always fall forward. Though he missed half the season with an injury, he finished the year averaging six yards a run. Even through injury, he steadily improved and left us impressed at the end of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["303093"],"_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-67798567b9668"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June is off to the University of North Carolina after capping an incredible high school career with a 1,700-yard senior season. He went over 250 yards in a game twice, including a 407-yard outing early in the year and a 252-yard outburst on just 11 carries in Jacksonville's second meeting with powerhouse Havelock to knock them out of the playoffs. His blend of size and speed is impressive as most 215-pound backs don't move like he does. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1365426"],"_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-67798567b96bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Bill Belichick's earliest offers, Cobb is headed to Chapel Hill to play for the Tar Heels after stepping up his game as a senior. He went over 1,500 yards in just 9.5 games before having his season cut short. Cobb has a unique, high-knee running style that makes him difficult to bring down on first contact. He also has elite speed and cutting ability, traits that should lead to him contributing in the return game at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406077"],"_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-67798567b9713"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A surefire way to rise in the rankings is to average over 200 rushing yards per game, like Mageo did as a senior. He has great patience and vision as well as excellent long speed to finish runs, once he gets into the open field. Mageo popped up on our radar in Week 1 and only got better from there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->