Scouting Report: Five Arkansas Running Backs

<p>The talent in the Natural State is growing across the 2026-2028 classes. These athletes possess the skills to compete at the next level, including FBS, FCS, D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO. Here are five scouting reports:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1636480' first='Zekariah' last='Kertis'] is flying under the radar. In 2024, he rushed 56 times for 460 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry, and scored six touchdowns. He is a true gap runner, getting north-south between the tackles. Kertis demonstrates solid post-snap vision, allowing him to read the flow of the defense and the blocks in front of him, enabling him to attack the running lane with solid burst.</p>   <p>Note - 3.1 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JonesZekariah/status/1878861374614388947 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Za'Marion McDonald is a breakout candidate for the upcoming 2025 season. He effectively runs through contact due to his good contact balance, lower body strength, leg drive, and pad level. He demonstrates good burst and acceleration post-snap, allowing him to shoot through gaps and evade first-level defenders. His strong gap-running enables him to separate from the first level. He has the foot speed and quickness to beat second-level defenders to the sidelines and get upfield. Keep an eye on McDonald throughout 2025.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/6tuffff </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1640698' first='Xander' last='Burke'] has the physical stature you want for a running back at the next level. He's a tough, between-the-tackles, true gap runner who demonstrates solid post-snap vision to identify running lanes. Once he spots an opening, he shows solid burst to attack the hole and evade the first level of the defense. Burke is difficult to tackle, exhibiting good contact balance and leg drive to break free from defenders.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.0 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Burke_Xander22/status/1869107277904703695 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1343498' first='Jeremiah' last='Buckner'] has the potential to continue Little Rock Parkview's strong tradition of running backs. He's a north-south runner who effectively attacks running lanes with a solid burst. Post-snap, he demonstrates solid vision by quickly identifying gaps and accelerating through to get into the second and third levels. His foot speed, decisiveness, and ability to evade tackles in space are enhanced by his solid lateral agility and change of direction. Keep an eye on him this spring and summer.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.3 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Gabe10945694342/status/1902547550374150529 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Marques Paskal has the potential to become one of the top running backs in his class in the state of Arkansas. He is quick and elusive and has the patience to allow running lanes to open up. He excels at making defenders miss in space due to his good lateral agility, footwork, and ability to change direction. Paskel's impressive foot speed enables him to break away from defenders at both the first and second levels of the defense. Paskel is another prospect to watch and is expected to rise in our summer rankings.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/marques_paskel/status/1903625222781043034 </div></figure>

The talent in the Natural State is growing across the 2026-2028 classes. These athletes possess the skills to compete at the next level, including FBS, FCS, D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO. Here are five scouting reports: