’26 Rankings Update: The Running Back Film Room, Part I

Film is one of the best tools to self-scout, evaluate, and improve. As is the case with any rankings update, we want to celebrate and highlight select prospects who had some really nice film and talk about their game. That said kill the lights, close the blinds, and turn the projector on and join me, as we prepare to enter the film room to discuss what I saw on film.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    The more and more I see [player_tooltip player_id='1305451' first='Andrew' last='Pearce']-sized running backs, the more I think I am a fan of compact runners. Pearce appears to really run hard when he is on film. His shorter stature allows him to make cuts with much less effort than his counterparts since he does not need to break down as much. Those same cuts, however, seem much more violent than sharp due to Pearce's tendency to be a full-head-of-steam runner. Pearce displays his balance through the box and in the open field. Tough and determined running is part of Pearce's game too because he carries himself like every yard is for him to gain. My lasting impression on Pearce is that he is an instinctual runner who trusts his athletic abilities.      Do not sleep on talent in our state's most Northwest regions, as Sparta's [player_tooltip player_id='1476932' first='Brady' last='Shagawat'] continues the history of quality prospects from a well-respected program in Sparta. Shagawat has great balance as a runner and really good vision that allows him to cut back totally against the grain at moment's notice. Moreover, he is used in a very high propensity as a pass catcher. This role suits him well due to the fact that he is awfully quick and seems to move well in tight space. The sign of any solid scat-back, he catches the ball exclusively with his hands. Shagawat switches the ball to his outside arm and pins the rock to his chest when danger looms.      North Hunterdon's [player_tooltip player_id='1282759' first='Cole' last='O'Connor'] is a back that is a bit more tough-and tumble. A hard player to bring down, O'Connor feats on yards after contact when opposed by poor tacklers. He manages to eek out additional yardage by spinning and contorting himself through soft spots. When making his cuts, O'Connor gets low and also runs with a forward lean. Continuing with the theme of staying low, O'Connor hits the hole with good pad level and braces for contact as the ball arrives.      There are a lot of more subtle nuances to the game of [player_tooltip player_id='1572176' first='Dante' last='DeLuca'] than the naked eye might initially catch - and thus make him a candidate to have a breakout campaign and a bump in the rankings next time out. DeLuca accelerates very well off of his plant foot, propelling himself with a burst to gain yardage. He is also a tough one to bring down, especially when you try to tackle him high given that he is listed as a 210lb back. DeLuca also has a deadly combination of big, strong powerful legs that match with a stiff arm. A threat out of the backfield on screens, he is good at baiting-or-waiting in order to lull the defenders to sleep and make plays. In addition to this, DeLuca has very good vision in the open field, cutting across almost at will. To conclude, DeLuca has also shown to be a capable pass protector, working and grinding, rather than delivering a shot and being done with his block.      I do not recall a back during this update that runs with quite the unique style of [player_tooltip player_id='1543892' first='Donte' last='Davis']. Davis, despite running upright, has the ability to cut upfield and make people miss with ease. Moreover, there is an element of power to his game, as he is known to run over defenders when necessary. To a degree, would-be tacklers fall off of him as he is able to absorb contact as well. Davis trusts his speed and I would consider him a very raw prospect.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Rankings Update Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part II</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part III</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IV</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-v">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part V</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VI</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VII</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-i">Defensive Line Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-i">Linebacker Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-i">Quarterback Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-running-back-film-room-part-i">Running Back Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-i">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-shake-up-within-the-top-150-ranked-part-i">Biggest Rankings Jump, Ranked Prospects, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-25">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 25</a>

Film is one of the best tools to self-scout, evaluate, and improve. As is the case with any rankings update, we want to celebrate and highlight select prospects who had some really nice film and talk about their game. That said kill the lights, close the blinds, and turn the projector on and join me, as we prepare to enter the film room to discuss what I saw on film.