2026 Spring Rankings Update: 5 Eastern NC RBs To Know

We're continuing rankings content by looking at a historically overlooked part of the state. Schools around Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Triad tend to naturally get more coverage, with more teams and bigger schools. But, college coaches can find an advantage looking at other, less heaviliy-recruited areas of the state, specifically the eastern part between Fayetteville and the coast.   Here, I'm looking at five 2026 eastern North Carolina RBs that could see their recruitments take off in the coming months.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 Eastern NC Playmakers To Know</h2>    Davis is a huge fullback in East Duplin's run-heavy offense with more speed than even most scat backs in the state. There will be the normal college adjustment for Davis, who will be moving from a high school run-heavy offense at the now-4A level to a more traditional college offense, but the size, speed, and moves will absolutely translate. That gives him one of the highest upsides in the state.     I was impressed with Howard at our Prep Redzone Showcase and it sent me back to the film. He got overshadowed a bit last year by the state's leading receiver and a 2000-yard rusher, but those guys are gone this season, and Havelock's offense has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years. That means Howard, who has great contact balance and shiftiness, could have a monster senior season.     A two-way player, Lamb is also a talented safety. But make no mistake, his future is at running back. He plays a hybrid slot back role where he's able to get the ball in space and on off-tackle runs. He's flashed as a receiver, but his biggest contributions are when he avoids tacklers in the middle of the field. He's so shifty: hard to tackle in a phone booth, as they say, and he has contact balance and vision to boot.     After putting up nearly 2,000 yards as a junior, Phillips added some good weight and has looked great in spring combines. He's really impressed me as a pass-catcher, something he doesn't get many opportunities to do in his offense. His vision, speed, and newfound mass should translate to the next level and he's a guy we're keeping an eye on throughout the summer.     A powerful runner, Campbell is just starting to see his recruitment take off. A two-way player he has plenty of natural athleticism and good vision to find open field. He's a bruising short-yardage specialist with the speed to make teams pay, traits that should translate to the next level, making him a highly-sought, versatile recruit.

We're continuing rankings content by looking at a historically overlooked part of the state. Schools around Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Triad tend to naturally get more coverage, with more teams and bigger schools. But, college coaches can find an advantage looking at other, less heaviliy-recruited areas of the state, specifically the eastern part between Fayetteville and the coast.