Scouting the ranked 2026 Maryland prospects: Running Backs

PRZ Maryland's Ed O'Brien breaks down some of the prospects that made the cut in the updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. This article will focus on some of the running backs that earned a spot in the rankings.   NOTE: These rankings include prospects from D.C. and Delaware.   DAVON HANDY | 5-6 | 160 | INDIAN RIVER | DELAWARE | NO. 25 RUNNING BACK | NO. 325 OVERALL PROSPECT Davon Handy is a compact, tough, and highly productive running back who made a significant impact for Indian River (Delaware) during the 2024 season. At 5'6" and 160 pounds, Handy rushed for 990 yards and 15 touchdowns on 137 carries over 13 games, displaying a combination of vision, patience, and power. His ability to break tackles and navigate through traffic allowed him to post four games with over 100 rushing yards. One of Handy's biggest strengths is his ability to follow his blockers effectively, displaying patience before accelerating through holes. His low center of gravity and compact build makes it difficult for him to locate behind the offensive line, an advantage that allows him to slip through gaps before defenders react. Handy runs with determination, breaking multiple tackles and showing the ability to shed arm tackles at the second level. His explosiveness and quick cuts allow him to quickly shake linebackers and change direction. Handy also has a strong leg drive, enabling him to power through defenders despite his smaller frame. However, Handy's height and size can also be seen as a potential limitation at higher levels of competition. While he uses his stature to his advantage in high school, he may face challenges against bigger, faster, and stronger defenders at the next level. Overall, Handy is a tough, elusive, and instinctive runner with a knack for finding the end zone. His balance, vision and tackle-breaking ability make him a dangerous weapon out of the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='283989' first='Taariq' last='Denson'] | 5-9 | 210 | RIVERDALE BAPTIST | MARYLAND | NO. 7 RUNNING BACK | NO. 76 OVERALL PROSPECT [player_tooltip player_id='283989' first='Taariq' last='Denson'] is a physical, power-driven running back who thrives on contact and excels in short-yardage situations. At 5'9" and 210 pounds, he runs with a low pad level, allowing him to absorb contact and consistently push forward for extra yardage. Denson's ability to break tackles and win collisions makes him a reliable option in goal-line and between-the-tackles situations, as evidenced by multiple plays where he powered through defenders for touchdowns or chunk gains. Denson's strong lower body and balance enable him to continue moving forward after initial contact. He is a tough load to take on once he gets rolling. One of his biggest strengths is his physical running style. He initiates contact rather than avoiding it, showing a willingness to take on linebackers and defensive backs head-on. Denson's ability to run through arm tackles and fight for extra yards makes him particularly valuable in short-yardage and red-zone situations. He also demonstrates some agility in tight spaces, as seen when he sidestepped a backfield tackle before cutting back to gain positive yardage. With his size and running style, he doesn't have to be a burner. I like his acceleration, and he's shown that he can break off long runs. Denson is a powerful and effective downhill runner. He's best when running north-south, but he can also break runs to the outside. Denson is a tough, physical back who thrives on contact and excels in short-yardage situations. His ability to run through defenders and fight for extra yards makes him a valuable asset in power-running schemes. If he can continue to improve his explosiveness and lateral quickness, he could become an even more well-rounded back. [player_tooltip player_id='1432079' first='Nick' last='Blagmon'] | 6-0 | 195 | CONCORDIA PREP | MARYLAND | NO. 12 RUNNING BACK | NO. 159 OVERALL PROSPECT   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/A055C358_241019_DJ0C-crop-2061x1354-1729790208.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1539948" style="aspect-ratio:16/9;object-fit:cover" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1432079' first='Nick' last='Blagmon'] is a dynamic running back with a strong blend of speed, vision, and physicality. At 6'0" and 195 pounds, he has the size to absorb contact while also displaying the explosiveness to outrun defenders in open space. His 2024 season, as recorded on MaxPreps, saw Blagmon rush 112 times for 735 yards and five touchdowns over eight games, showcasing his ability to produce big plays. Blagmon excels at following his blockers and using his vision to find running lanes, as seen in multiple plays where he patiently waits for openings before accelerating downfield. One of Blagmon's greatest strengths is his breakaway ability. Once he finds a crease, he has the speed to separate from defenders and turn medium gains into long touchdowns. His runs often feature decisive cuts and acceleration, allowing him to turn a well-blocked play into a scoring opportunity. Additionally, Blagmon's size and strength make him effective at breaking tackles, particularly in short-yardage situations, as evidenced by his goal-line touchdown, where he powered through multiple defenders. His combination of speed and power makes him a versatile back who can be effective between the tackles and on outside runs. The available footage did not highlight Blagmon's receiving ability and pass-blocking skills, so evaluating his versatility in those areas would be important for his development at the next level. Overall, Blackmon is a well-rounded running back with a strong combination of size, speed, and physicality. His ability to follow blocks and finish runs with power makes him a reliable option in multiple offensive schemes. If he continues to develop his ability to create plays independently and enhance his agility, Blagmon has the potential to become an even more dangerous weapon in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1313563' first='Elijah' last='Lee'] | 6-0 | 200 | DEMATHA | MARYLAND | NO. 7 RUNNING BACK | NO. 76 OVERALL PROSPECT   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/IMG_1352.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1614021" style="aspect-ratio:16/9;object-fit:cover" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1313563' first='Elijah' last='Lee'] is a powerful and efficient running back who maximized his opportunities during the 2024 season, rushing for 836 yards and nine touchdowns on just 59 carries. Despite sharing the backfield with a future Maryland college player, Lee showcased his ability to be a highly productive and reliable ball carrier. His downhill running style and ability to break tackles and navigate through traffic make him an ideal fit for short-yardage and between-the-tackles situations. One of Lee's biggest strengths is his inside running ability. He hits the hole quickly and runs decisively, making him a tough assignment for defenders in one-on-one situations. His ability to break tackles and keep his legs churning through contact allows him to gain additional yardage after initial hits. Lee's vision and patience enable him to find running lanes even in congested areas. His balance and body control allow him to absorb contact and continue moving forward, making him particularly effective in red-zone and short-yardage situations. Overall, Lee is a strong, physical, and reliable running back who excels in short-yardage and inside-running situations. His ability to break tackles and gain tough yards makes him a valuable asset in power-running schemes. [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] | 5-9 | 200 | ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE | D.C. | NO. 3 RUNNING BACK | NO. 47 OVERALL PROSPECT   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/IMG_1122.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1614024" style="aspect-ratio:16/9;object-fit:cover" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='212257' first='Breyon' last='Williams'] is a versatile running back with power, balance, and agility. At 5'9" and 200 pounds, he possesses a compact yet powerful frame, making him a tough runner to bring down once he gains momentum. Williams' ability to maintain balance through contact and fight for extra yardage sets him apart as a physical yet elusive playmaker. Williams has received offers from multiple FBS programs, including Maryland, East Carolina, and Boston College. One of Williams' standout strengths is his ability to break tackles while maintaining his speed and balance. He consistently runs through arm tackles at the second level, showing strong lower-body drive and contact balance. Williams' vision and agility allow him to make sharp cuts and evade defenders in space, making him equally dangerous on inside and outside runs. Williams has a remarkable ability to adjust mid-play when defensives over-pursure. Additionally, he has the speed to turn medium gains into long runs, making him a legitimate big-play threat whenever he touches the ball. Overall, Williams is a strong, balanced, and elusive running back who can break tackles, make defenders miss, and contribute in both the run and pass game. His agility and vision make him a dynamic playmaker, and his physicality ensures he can be a tough runner between the tackles. Williams had a productive season despite only playing seven games. 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PRZ Maryland's Ed O'Brien breaks down some of the prospects that made the cut in the updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. This article will focus on some of the running backs that earned a spot in the rankings.