SLEEPER ALERT: Under The Radar 2026 Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2026 running backs are still flying under the radar...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657439"],"_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-67ffa6388bfe3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most productive backs in Georgia last season, Favors is a speedy small-town back who has no problem running between the tackles. He ran hard, shows great balance, and has a knack for staying upright after first contact. This sleeper back ran wild as a junior last season for 1,704 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 10.8 yards per carry and hitting the 100-yard mark in 9 of his 11 games. He shows easy D1 talent and deserves to play somewhere at the next level down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577115"],"_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-67ffa6388c04e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A shifty, explosive runner who brought his best week after week last season, Matthews was one of the top backs in North Georgia last season in the 2026 class. He was a weapon on special teams, and at running back, this under the radar playmaker ran for 1,270 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and rushed for an impressive 14 touchdowns while hitting the 100-yard mark seven times. His best game came against rival Dawson County where he ran for 232 yards and three touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577143"],"_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-67ffa6388c098"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A speedy Athens-area running back with plenty of versatility and big-play ability, Carr is a shifty back who knows how to find a hole and fly through it. The 5-foot-9 190-pounder shows soft hands out of the backfield and was one of most productive backs in the area last season. Carr ran for an impressive 1,080 yards and nine touchdowns, hitting the 100-yard mark five times. He also caught 34 passes for 375 yards and three more scores in the passing game. He's a 2036 back to keep a close eye on in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577125"],"_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-67ffa6388c0d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive back outside of Atlanta with quick feet, burst, and breakaway speed, Hollingsworth is fresh off a strong junior season where he lit up the state sheet for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran for at least 100 yards in seven games and rushed for at least one touchdown in every game but three. His biggest game came against Landmark Christian where he rushed for 209 yards and one touchdown. He shows impressive agility but also runs hard at 6-foot-0 175-pounds. He shows D1-caliber talent and should run wild as a senior in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["681184"],"_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-6801301df344c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the biggest sleeper running backs in Middle Georgia, Stephens is a productive back with quickness, agility, vision, and big-play ability. He's a natural runner with a muscular frame who does a good job of eluding defenders down the field. He's one of the top returning running backs in Macon who ran for an impressive 967 yards and nine touchdowns last year for Stratford Academy. He averaged over 7 yards per attempt and hit the 100-yard mark five times as a junior last fall. Look for him to be even better as a senior next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->