Top Class of 2028 Running Backs in Region 4 This Season

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.   These players are all talented and have college-level abilities. Some of these players have a few offers, but all of them have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks for the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always support every player on their journey to playing college football.   1. Elijah Newman Hall, Running Back – Blake High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 200 lbs   Stats Summary: 80 carries for 829 yards and 8 touchdowns | 5 receptions for 57 yards   Evaluation: Newman Hall is a physical, explosive back with the ability to take over games. His combination of size, strength, and speed makes him a nightmare for defenders, as he consistently breaks through arm tackles and accelerates into the open field. Averaging over 10 yards per carry, Hall has the vision to find running lanes and the burst to capitalize on them. His eight touchdowns show his ability to finish drives, and his involvement in the passing game adds to his versatility. Hall has the frame and skill set to be an every-down back at the next level.   2. Rel Harmon, Running Back – Port St. Lucie High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 200 lbs   Stats Summary: 111 carries for 814 yards and 8 touchdowns | 10 receptions for 58 yards   Evaluation: Harmon is a workhorse back with a great blend of speed, power, and agility. At 200 pounds, he runs with authority, lowering his shoulder to gain yards after contact. His balance and footwork allow him to navigate through traffic, and his 7.3 yards per carry show his ability to create big plays. Harmon is also a reliable receiving option, hauling in 10 passes for 58 yards. His combination of durability and production makes him a valuable asset who can be counted on to carry the load offensively.   3. Jerome Horne, Running Back – Columbia High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 165 lbs   Stats Summary: 99 carries for 715 yards and 5 touchdowns | 5 receptions for 24 yards   Evaluation: Horne is a quick, shifty runner who thrives in space. His ability to make defenders miss with sharp cuts and acceleration makes him a big-play threat. He consistently finds seams in the defense and bursts through them, averaging over 7 yards per carry. Horne's ability to change direction without losing momentum gives him an edge in the open field. While his frame is on the leaner side, his speed and elusiveness make him difficult to contain. Continued development as a receiver could make him an even more dangerous all-purpose back.   4. Rontrez Loyd, Running Back – Ed White High   Height/Weight: 6'0", 220 lbs   Stats Summary: 121 carries for 652 yards and 7 touchdowns | 4 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown   Evaluation: Loyd is a powerful, bruising back who thrives on physicality. At 220 pounds, he runs with a downhill mentality, consistently falling forward for extra yards. He has the ability to wear down defenses with his physicality, making him especially effective in the red zone, where he's punched in seven touchdowns. Despite his size, he has decent agility and shows good hands as a receiver, adding an extra dimension to his game. Loyd is built to be a short-yardage and power back at the next level, but his versatility makes him more than just a between-the-tackles runner.   5. Todd Cutler Jr., Running Back – New Smyrna Beach High   Height/Weight: 5'7", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 73 carries for 474 yards and 5 touchdowns | 5 receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown   Evaluation: Cutler Jr. is a compact, elusive back who specializes in making defenders miss. He has a low center of gravity, which allows him to maintain balance through contact, and his lateral quickness makes him difficult to track down in space. Cutler's 6.5 yards per carry show his efficiency, and his five touchdowns highlight his ability to find the end zone. He's also a capable receiving threat, adding value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. While he may not have prototypical size, his ability to create plays with his speed and vision makes him a dangerous weapon.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1286902' first='Anthony' last='Howard Jr']., Running Back – Auburndale High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 185 lbs   Stats Summary: 33 carries for 307 yards and a touchdown   Evaluation: Howard Jr. is a dynamic, change-of-pace back with explosive speed. He makes quick cuts and accelerates effortlessly, allowing him to turn small gaps into big plays. Averaging over 9 yards per carry, Howard has shown an ability to maximize every touch. While his workload has been limited, his efficiency speaks for itself. If given more opportunities, he could be a game-breaker capable of shifting momentum in an instant. His speed and vision make him a dangerous threat in both the run and pass game.   Overall Overview:   This group of running backs features a strong mix of power and speed. Elijah Newman Hall and Rel Harmon stand out as workhorse backs with the ability to dominate between the tackles and in space. Jerome Horne and Todd Cutler Jr. bring electric playmaking ability, using quickness and vision to create big plays. Rontrez Loyd is a bruising back who thrives on physicality, while [player_tooltip player_id='1286902' first='Anthony' last='Howard Jr']. showcases elite efficiency with his ability to break off explosive runs. Each of these backs has a unique skill set that makes them a valuable asset to their respective teams.

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.