The Film Room: #TN2026 Running Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Getting back into the lab, here we provide an in-depth scouting analysis on five running backs to follow and watch from our #TN2026 recruiting class. </h2>   <p></p>   <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] - Beech</strong></p>   <p>- Sporting a well built physical frame, Swafford immediately looks the part when stepping off the bus but then backs it up on the field. The Buccaneers returning ball carrier has the makeup and tools to become a highly recruited prospect over the next few months due to his look and ability to run past and through the opposition. Beyond his physicality, the first thing you like about Swafford when turning on his film is his initial burst and how hard he runs through contact. It's tough to bring this guy down and once he gets into the open field, the Bucs running back finds a second gear and usually out runs the defense. Swafford isn't a blazer but he has better than average speed to hit the home run on occasions while providing that gritty, tough running through contact. </p>   <p>Another factor about this Mid-Tennessee ball carrier that stands out is his vision and consistency at finding the open hole. What helps that cause is Swafford's quick feet and willingness to hit the hole hard, regardless of who's in his way. The Bucs back also brings a threat in the passing game as Swafford shows on film the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. The potential is also there for this guy to become a solid pass blocker in time due to his athleticism and physicality. Swafford is a definite college prospect that I feel has plenty of upside left to fulfill.</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/CheltonSwafford/status/1845179261453291807 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1335216' first='Rawls' last='Patterson'] - CPA</strong></p>   <p>- Coming off winning yet another state title, Patterson is one of the more hidden gems we have from the #TN2026 class at the moment that I can see his recruitment taking off at one point and one day becoming a starting back on the college level. The Lions running back is as steady as they come in the Volunteer State as Patterson is a consistent performer that brings a little bit of everything to the playing field. Well balanced with outstanding vision, Patterson is a tough guy to bring down due to his physical frame and game play along with his gritty, tough attitude. He has a unique feel for finding the open hole as well as not going down on first contact. Patterson is simply a tough guy to compete against because he runs with desire and passion. </p>   <p>The offers have yet to arrive for this Nashville native and that may be due to college coaches questioning his speed but trust me, Patterson is fast enough to get the job done. After watching him perform in person last Fall, the Lions ball carrier showed plenty of speed to be a threat and move the chains. Patterson is simply a natural ball carrier that does just about everything needed to get the job done. He has a great feel for the game and a feel for making big plays, especially in critical situations. It may take time for the offers to arrive but I believe they will in time because Patterson is just that good.</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/joe_spears7/status/1849966525072941414 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] - Whitehaven</strong></p>   <p>- Bursting on the scene last season with a breakout junior year, Talley established himself as one of the better running back prospects from the #TN2026 class and the greater Memphis area that might see his first offers arrive sooner than later. Explosive and fast is something you immediately see when turning on his film. Talley is a home run hitting back that just needs a sliver of open space and he will hit 0 to 60 in a moment's notice. His initial burst and his speed in the open field, becomes a problem for the opposition but Talley is also a tough runner that will occasionally run through contact. </p>   <p>What makes the Tigers ball carrier tough to deal with besides his speed is his vision and quick feet in open space. Talley is slippery and tough to grasp onto due to his short area quickness. He isn't the tallest guy, which is something coaches may not like but Talley plays much bigger and makes an impact due to his natural athletic abilities. There is potential with the Tigers back as well to become a dangerous threat in the passing game over time. Talley is a game changer at running back with his speed and someone that should continue to get better as he develops his body and game over the coming year.</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/CalebHilliardTV/status/1834769318791254343 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] - FRA</strong></p>   <p>- The Panthers put forth one of the better teams from the D2-Class AA ranks last Fall and a big reason why was the emergence in the backfield and performance from Hassell. This 5 '11 two-way talent, who could get some looks in the secondary, is a natural athlete that brings a multitude of skills to the playing field that translate well to the college game. The first thing you like about Hassell when breaking down his film is his speed. The Panthers ball carrier gets into the open field quickly, showing nice vision and quick feet that allows him to elude tacklers. Hassell is a one cut and go type of runner that can create separation and find the endzone in a hurry. Another strong trait about this guy is his upside as a receiver. Hassell is the kind of athlete that can make defenders miss, catching passes out of the backfield or from the slot. </p>   <p>Last season was Hassell's first time being the team's primary ball carrier, so I think there is a lot of tread left on the tires moving forward to the next level. Bringing more power to his running style would be the one area Hassell could work on further. The Panthers rising senior is still slight with his frame but has the body to definitely pack on another 20 to 30 pounds and bring a nice combo of power and speed to the playing field. Just this week, Hassell has landed offers from Eastern Ky and ETSU, so his stock is rising and soon others should get on board with this dynamic Nashville area running back.</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/joe_spears7/status/1839827072388067538 </div></figure>    <p>- - - - - </p>   <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'] - Boyd Buchanan</strong></p>   <p>- The Buccaneers leaned on their rushing attack to find offensive success last Fall with Green at the forefront of those efforts where this rising senior ball carrier had a breakout junior campaign that established himself as one of the best at his position from the East Tennessee region. A big reason behind that statement is what you see on film from Green and that's a hard nosed runner that explodes into the open field then uses his shifty feet and power to gain positive yards. Green brings nice size and physicality to the gridiron that opposing defenders have a hard time dealing with. He does a good job of getting downhill quickly then maintaining his motor as tacklers try to bring him down, which is a tough task. He shows nice contact balance along with a powerful lower base that allows him to keep churning out yards. </p>   <p>Green isn't a blazer but does have better than average speed to get the job done. His initial explosion, vision, quick feet and power is what makes the Bucs running back a problem in the backfield. Finding the open hole and carving out space with his physicality is something that translates well to the college game. I like how Green runs as you can see grit and passion with the ball in his hands. The way the Bucs ball carrier is built physically should allow him to find a role in someone's college backfield and possibly become a starter one day due to how hard he runs.</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/ScenicCitySprts/status/1852513145446682890 </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/dgreen.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1614442" style="width:341px;height:auto" /></figure>