2027 Rankings – Top Six Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest ranking update for the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2027-rankings/">state's 2027 class came out on Tuesday</a></strong>. The latest ranking update now features the top 100 players in the state's 2027 class. Every time we do a ranking update, we dive into prospect breakdowns following each release. In this breakdown, we're putting the spotlight on the top six running backs in the state's 2027 class. These six players have already established themselves as name to know within the class. For the majority of them, they've been making big plays since they were freshmen and show no signs of slowing down. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 2027 breakdowns and our final ranking update, featuring the state's 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["649663"],"_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-67d76447eba40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broken Arrow running back [player_tooltip player_id='649663' first='Octavian' last='Roberson'] has had a stranglehold on the top spot for this position since the rankings began a year ago. Roberson has been the top guy at this position and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Roberson broke out during his freshman season with the Tigers and then he had a stellar sophomore season for an encore. Broken Arrow has certainly been in the headlines this offseason with a new coaching staff and some really talented players coming back in 2025. Roberson is one of them and we think that he could be a key piece to Broken Arrow returning to the group of contenders in Class 6A-1. The thing that makes him so intriguing as a prospect is his overall playmaking ability. He's dangerous as a running back but he's also just as dangerous as a receiver, coming out of the backfield. He was very productive in both categories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602991"],"_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-67d76447eba98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln Christian running back [player_tooltip player_id='602991' first='Braeden' last='Baker'] was on our radar shortly after his freshman season. He first impressed us at one of our camps and then had a solid offseason and came out strong in 2024. He emerged as arguably Lincoln Christian's most consistent running back from start to finish. Now, the Bulldogs have been no strangers to playing two or even three different running backs so Baker had to make the most of his carries in 2024. He certainly did just that, helping Lincoln Christian go undefeated and win the state championship for the second consecutive season. Baker's progression as an overall athlete is what stood out the most to us in 2024. We watched him in person for their second game of the season and then at the end, during that state title game. He didn't look like the same player and we're excited to see what jump he makes in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693905"],"_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-67d76447ebae0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Carl Albert has had an absolute stranglehold on Class 5A over the last three seasons and despite losing a truly special senior class, the Titans might not be going anywhere. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] appears to be ready to take the reigns of the Carl Albert offense and become the next Titan running back that can completely take over the game. Now, because the Titans have been loaded over the last few years, Matthews hasn't gotten as much reps on the varsity level as some of the other running backs on this breakdown. But that certainly doesn't mean that he won't be ready when his number is called. During their run to a third straight state championship in 2024, the Titans would give Matthews a shot to show what he's got and he answered the call. We've only seen flashes of what he can do but the ceiling is incredibly high. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1109329"],"_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-67d76447ebb23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Millwood running back [player_tooltip player_id='1109329' first='Anthony' last='Keys'] is going to be another name to watch moving forward and he took a massive step in 2024. During his freshman season, Keys would earn valuable playing time but he was also splitting carries with multiple running backs. During his sophomore season, the backfield wasn't as full and that opened the door for Keys to step through and become more of the feature back in the Millwood offense. And as we look ahead to the 2025 season, Keys is going to be the marquee part of this Millwood offense now. The Falcons will have a new quarterback and they've lost quite a bit from the skill department and Keys will be the valuable veteran returning this fall. Keys is incredibly powerful and he uses that lower body strength to make short runs turn into big plays. We saw plenty of that in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["474870"],"_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-67d76447ebb67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coweta running back [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] was another name that we knew about before he entered high school. He really impressed us during one of our Prep Redzone Next events during the spring of his 8th grade year. He entered high school and immediately earned playing time on the varsity level and he was able to produce at a very high level, right from the start. Heilmann is continuing to get better and better and that production that we saw early on in his career is continuing to be on the rise. We might have mentioned this in the past but we like the core of Coweta's roster going into the 2025 season because of the youth they've had the last few years. Heilmann is a big part of that and he could be one of the top running backs to watch in Class 5A, not only this fall but looking ahead to the 2026 season as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1084102"],"_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-67d76447ebbb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Way out in the Oklahoma panhandle, you'll find Hooker running back [player_tooltip player_id='1084102' first='Justin' last='Palacios'] and you can make the argument that he's been the most productive running back in the state's 2027 class since they started high school. Palacios was incredibly productive as a freshman and then he stepped his game up even more during his sophomore season. When you look at the numbers that he's put up during the first two years, you could also make the argument that Palacios will be up near the top of the state's all time rushing list by the time it's all said and done. We've caught Palacios in person a couple of times during the last two years and have also watched plenty of film. He's completely underrated and should get more credit, not just within the state's 2027 class but also just as one of the state's top running backs in general. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->