PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update: RB Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026, YOU are now on the board! With the 2025 class all but wrapped up, it's time to fully turn our attention to the junior class (incoming seniors), who will now be planning their spring/summer visits and deciding which schools they want to camp with. To kick start this changing of the tide, we rolled out our updated Class of 2026 rankings, with over 400 ranked players and 100+ players listed on our watchlist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To continue coverage, I will now be breaking down the RB position and some of the names to know in that group. Here are the full 2026 RB rankings, with Ankeny's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie']</em></strong> claiming the top spot and Pella's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1240470' first='Emmanuel' last='Diers']</em></strong> on his heels. Below I featured some of the new prospects that emerged in this update and some other names to keep a close eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2408","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2483","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a4661f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can find the full rankings update&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='401673' first='Javaris' last='Morgan'] <a href="https://x.com/morganjavariss">(@morganjavariss)</a>, Ankeny Centennial - 5'10" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Overall: 74 | RB: 3</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a player primed to have a big season in 2025 as he returns from injury and should carry most of the load in the backfield. Javaris still managed to impress in his shortened season, carrying the ball 41 times for 318 yards and three touchdowns, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry. Even with the small sample size, it's clear that Javaris has the talent and upside to play at the next level. Morgan gets sent on many sweeps and reverses where he can use his speed to beat defenses to the edge before showing off his burst when he hits the second-level. Good job following his blocks. Strong run finisher— always seems to fall forward when he gets brought down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16708677/673cdc398f46787c0e0d4e83' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a467d8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1360044' first='Hunter' last='Curley'] <a href="https://x.com/H_curley10">(@H_curley10)</a>, Wapsie Valley - 6'1" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Overall: 112 | RB: </em>4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An absolute bulldozer of a RB. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1360044' first='Hunter' last='Curley'] did an excellent job as the "change of pace" back for Wapise Valley last season. Hunter toted the rock 68 times for 420 yards and four rushing touchdowns. At 6'1" and 200 pounds, Curley was a handful for opposing defenses trying to bring down the physical, sturdy back. He plays with a strong, wide base that allows him to run through tackle attempts while doing a great job maintaining his balance through contact. One thing that impressed about Curley is his underrated twitch in the open field, he is surprisingly shifty and will quickly hit cut back lanes to bounce runs to the outside. Strong stiff arm. He possesses great vision and eyes that are constantly scanning the field. Explosive burst when hitting his lane. Curley is also likely to get some looks on the defensive side of the ball with 48 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, and four fumble recoveries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15105402/67530573787be33d113dc01c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a46801"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1241506' first='Seth' last='Reiland'] <a href="https://x.com/seth_reiland" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@seth_reiland)</a>, Muscatine - 5'10" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Overall: 118 | RB: </em>5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite an up-and-down season for the Muskies, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1241506' first='Seth' last='Reiland'] still managed to have a very productive season. Reiland finished his junior campaign with 989 rushing yards, which was 12th in Class 5A, along with 81 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. Watching Seth's tape, I was impressed with his decisiveness as a runner. Reiland often finds where he wants to go pre-snap and then explodes through that gap once he gets the ball. Seth's burst through these lanes helps him reach the second level easily, where he can tap into his 4.6 40-yard speed to breakaway from defenses. Shifty change of direction. Reiland also flashed the toughness to drop his shoulder and take on a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17799148/6737a7ce0b69e5ada7cdcb5d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a46824"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1619841' first='Trevor' last='Kuennen'] <a href="https://x.com/kuennen_trevor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@kuennen_trevor)</a>, Decorah - 6'2" 190 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Overall: 164 | RB: 7</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Decorah's [player_tooltip player_id='1619841' first='Trevor' last='Kuennen'], who plays RB or LB, will garner attention on both sides of the ball. Kuennen led the Vikings in rushing last season with 888 yards and seven touchdowns on 174 carries. He was also second on the team in tackles with 59 and recorded four TFLs, .5 sacks, and four interceptions (two returned for TDs). Trevor is a taller, leaner back with a strong frame at 6'2" and 190 pounds. For a bigger back, he's got surprising speed and burst that allow him to separate from defenders in the open field. Trevor maintains consistent pad level throughout his runs and can keep a low base. Very natural runner between the tackles with excellent vision to help him flow through lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19730441/67aa776dd3335cf49c0fed24' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a46844"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1269122' first='Avery' last='Favors'] <a href="https://x.com/avery_favors">(@avery_favors)</a>, Bishop Heelan - 5'11" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Overall: 184 | RB: 10</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the sleeper backs in this 2026 class. Bishop Heelan's [player_tooltip player_id='1269122' first='Avery' last='Favors'] is an impressive RB who caught our attention at one of our showcases last season. Serving as a backup last season, Favors rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns on 70 carries. At 5'11" and 200-pounds, Avery is a sturdy RB with a "one cut and go" play style that sees him set defenses up one way before exploding out of his cut and flipping the field the other way. He flashes great balance with a strong base that allows him to absorb contact as he fights for more yards. Don't sleep on Avery's upside on defense either, as he posted 16.5 tackles, a TFL, and a sack with more opportunities likely to open up next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17513640/67a812931405ed96527f79c3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c8f41a46861"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->