2026 Rankings: Underappreciated but Dangerous RBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will be diving back into the 2026 rankings. This time looking at some running backs who are flying under the radar. Get to know these guys as the 2025 off-season is underway. They will be names to know going forward, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are in the top 10 in rushing next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777636"],"_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-67bbf33ea5596"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dupuch's film thoroughly impressed me. The 5'6 170-pound running back had 198 carries for 1157 yards with 12 touchdowns. 5.8 yards per carry. 15 receptions for 111 yards. Dupuch has very good athletic ability due to elite change of direction, very good acceleration, speed, and balance. He has an elite burst of speed at the line of scrimmage. Elite vision to identify which holes to run through. Consistently runs through the first level and then weaves through the defense past the 2^nd and 3^rd. He has the ability to pivot and go, making it looking seamless. His running is very smooth and fluid. Very good juke moves making defenders miss. After contact, he is still getting yardage. Even with his smaller frame, he isn't afraid to get physical. Dupuch is a slippery running back, who keeps churning his powerful legs forward for extra yards. Good catching out of the backfield. Easy completion for his QB. Kid is a beast, and colleges need to look his way for an extra boost to their offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297803"],"_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-67bbf33ea55fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Measuring in at 5'9 165-pounds, Tarallo had 206 carries for 1223 yards and 15 touchdowns. Averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Through the air, he had 8 receptions for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a KR/PR he had 240 return yards. Tarallo has good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, good change of direction and balance. He is a mixture of power and speed. Tarallo is like a bowling ball, using his good strength and speed to run through defenses. Very good vision. He runs through the 1^st level with tenacity, shedding multiple tackles in the process. Tarallo has good strength and has a nasty stiff arm. He brings this same energy to the special team' game. A weapon on both special teams and a key part of Basalt's offense should have college scouts excited about his potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401310"],"_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-67bbf33ea564f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Measuring in at 6'1 205-pounds, Schwartz carried the ball 48 times for 204 yards and 4 touchdowns. He has good athletic ability due to very good balance, good speed, acceleration, and change of direction. Schwartz uses his good vision at the line of scrimmage to diagnose which hole to attack. If one is covered, he drives his leg into the ground allowing him to pivot into the next. He thrives on physicality. Very good strength. He'll put his shoulder down and truck through the linebacker. Very good stiff arm. He uses his very good balance to shed multiple tackles. Keeps churning forward and stays up when defenders go for his legs. I would like to see Schwartz develop more as a pass catcher out of the backfield, however he has a lot of potential going into this senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623389"],"_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-67bbf33ea5699"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Every time Petree had the ball, Pine Creek was moving it downfield. The 5'11 215-pound running back had 63 carries for 489 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Petree is a powerful downhill back. He has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, balance, good speed, and change of direction. He got good vision at the line of scrimmage. Once he gets past the 1^st level of defense, he's a threat. Petree has home run speed and isn't afraid to use it. He'll bounce off of defenders like a tennis ball. He has very good mental processing and competitive toughness. Petree consistently falls forward for the extra yards. A defender was holding his leg, and Petree would not stop until he got his touchdown. He didn't even get free from his grasp; he just dragged him for a couple of yards. I was very impressed with how he played against Cherry Creek which has future CFB talent all over its defensive line. Keep an eye out for Petree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1403668"],"_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-67bbf33ea56df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The definition of consistency and workhorse is [player_tooltip player_id='1403668' first='Gerik' last='Ashford']. Ashford was one of the key driving forces behind Chaparral's offense. The 5'11 191-pound junior had 161 carries for 769 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ashford has good athletic ability due to good speed, acceleration, change of direction, and balance. He has very good vision to find the holes and weave through the defense. He'll go towards the sideline to gain extra yards. Ashford's runs are smooth and fluid like he's gliding. One of his biggest attributes his how he's able to turn what would be negative plays into positive ones. Ashford doesn't give up and keeps churning forward, attributing to his very good competitive toughness. He thrives with getting physical. Good trucking and a good stiff arm too. I wouldn't be surprised if Ashford goes over 1000 yards next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->