2026 Film Review: RB Breakout Candidates for 2025

<p>During the off-season, we have conducted an extensive film review of hundreds of prospects in the Natural State. This article will focus on potential breakout running back prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five ball carriers who I believe will demonstrate their skills in 2024:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1336821' first='Jackson' last='Ward'] is a legitimate ball carrier who will play at the next level. He has received interest from FCS and G5 programs, but I believe more teams will be actively pursuing him soon.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Ward is a patient and powerful north-south running back, enhanced by good post-snap vision. His vision enables him to identify running lanes and evade defenders quickly. Ward possesses a solid multi-cut ability and good burst through the tackles, allowing him to break away from first-level defenders. He showcases good leg drive, contact balance, and lower body power to break tackles and gain additional yardage. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.4 GPA</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/JacksonWard2026/status/1868400184469962888 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1659951' first='Garred' last='Smithson'] is a shifty, three-down running back who can hurt you in the receiving game. I expect him to have a big breakout season in 2025.</p>   <p>Smithson displays solid post-snap vision by effectively reading the defense's flow and recognizing his lead blockers. He can evade defenders in space due to his solid change of direction and lateral quickness. Additionally, he poses a threat in the receiving game due to his ability to get upfield quickly after making a catch. Smithson is also capable of providing effective inside-out support in pass protection.</p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</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/GarredSmithson5 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1200000' first='Jaiden' last='Mayweather'] aims to become the focal point of his team's running game after several star running backs have left for the FBS level.</p>   <p>Mayweather is a quick and elusive running back who can evade defenders in space. He demonstrates solid post-snap vision to identify running lanes and quickly attacks them with a solid burst, enabling him to get past initial defenders. His speed and acceleration allow him to outrun linebackers at the second level.</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/MayweatherJaide </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1659952' first='Rashad' last='Moore'] is another potential breakout candidate for the upcoming 2025 season, known for his bowling-ball playstyle.</p>   <p>Moore demonstrates solid post-snap vision, quickly assessing the field and attacking the field north and south to gain positive yardage. He exhibits good contact balance and leg drive, allowing him to break through tackles effectively. He is likely to become a formidable short-yardage back at the next level. Add him to your recruiting board.</p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</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/RashadM03587351/status/1860218788500894139 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1425857' first='Rylan' last='Jones'] is a downhill runner known for his physicality at the point of attack. He provides a reliable short-yardage threat and consistently churns his legs.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Cheeto displays solid post-snap vision, allowing him to locate running lanes as a true gap runner. Jones showcases solid burst and acceleration when attacking the hole. Jones has solid COD, contact balance, leg drive, and lower body strength, enabling him to make defenders miss in the second level and break tackles. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.8 GPA</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/rylan_j3/status/1843054301939425575 </div></figure>    <p></p>

During the off-season, we have conducted an extensive film review of hundreds of prospects in the Natural State. This article will focus on potential breakout running back prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five ball carriers who I believe will demonstrate their skills in 2024: