Inside The Rankings: #TN2026 Running Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our senior running back crop is strong at the top but may not have the depth as year's past. I do think it's a solid group though with several guys on the lower end of our rankings that have a chance to boost their stocks with strong showings in camps and the Fall season. </h2>     The Top Ten    [player_tooltip player_id='1431775' first='Christopher' last='Talley'] - Whitehaven (25th overall/1st RB)   - Our top ranked back for the #TN2026 class is this Memphis area product that brings track speed to the playing field. Talley is a big play threat waiting to happen that can make one cut, get into the open field and find the end zone quickly. He is also a tough runner that shows solid contact balance and the willingness to run between the tackles. The Tigers ball carrier has room to pack on more weight too. The ability to hit the home run is a big reason why Talley has seen his stock take off and develop into one of the best offensive prospects in the state.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='806042' first='Jayzon' last='Thompson'] - Anderson Co. (41st overall/2nd RB)   - Moving to Anderson Co. for his senior season, Thompson is an explosive runner that brings a nice combination of athleticism, power and speed to the playing field that has him ranked 2nd among the running backs and a much wanted prospect on the recruiting scene. The Mavs ball carrier is physically well built. His strength allows him to break through tackles and continue churning down field while also having the speed to breakaway from the competition. Thompson may only stand about 5 '10 but he plays much bigger and shows the upside to become a 3-down back on the college stage.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JDVaughn91/status/1857583850827796754 </div></figure>   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='471474' first='LeKhy' last='Thompkins'] - USJ (42nd overall/3rd RB)   - Thompkins is a marked man on the recruiting trail with schools like Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi St., Purdue, West Virginia and others in hot pursuit and many others showing interest. His size and upside for the next level are reasons why he is ranked 3rd among our running backs and one of the best prospects coming out of the West Tennessee region. The Bruins ball carrier is tough to deal with when he gets into the open field. Defenders have a hard time bringing him down due to his combination of power and speed. Thompkins is also a good receiver out of the backfield that shows potential as a solid pass blocker as well.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1335216' first='Rawls' last='Patterson'] - CPA (66th overall/4th RB)   - All this guy does is produce at a high level every time he steps onto the field with a fearless mindset and a nice mix of intelligence, power and shifty feet. Patterson is a true “football player” that simply understands the game and knows how to show up when the bright lights are on him. Placing fourth among the running backs, Patterson has a chance to boost his ranking in the Fall with increased burst and overall speed. This guy can run but if his speed enhances, Power Four programs may decide to get involved and if they do, they would be getting a steal.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='971296' first='Keith' last='Johnson'] - East Nashville (68th overall/5th RB)   - Ranked 5th among the running backs and sitting just inside our Top 70 overall prospects, Johnson is a talented ball carrier that brings explosive game play to the field as well as some of the best lower base quickness and vision you will find from his positional group. The Eagles senior offensive talent missed most of his junior year due to injury but has shown enough over the years to be considered one of the top backs in the state. His offer list shows that as well. Johnson is receiving plenty of college interest and I think it will only increase with a standout summer camp season and a productive senior year.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='800803' first='Chelton' last='Swafford'] - Beech (80th overall/6th RB)   - One of the more physically gifted ball carriers we have in the #TN2026 class is this Mid-Tennessee senior that gives opposing defenses fits due to his powerful running style. Swafford has a well built upper and lower body that defenders have a hard time corralling and bringing down. This dude runs hard and fast. The Bucs running back runs with purpose, runs with violence. Swafford embraces contact and has no problem running players over. He sports deceptive speed as well that can improve further with continued development. I like the overall build and skill set here and his potential on the collegiate gridiron.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CheltonSwafford/status/1918112560672367004 </div></figure>   - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1238919' first='T.J.' last='Ward'] - Nash. Christian (81st overall/7th RB)   - This Mid-Tennessee power runner was a key component behind his Eagles D2-Class A championship season last year and he returns as a major player to contend for Mr. Football as a senior. Ward is a well put together young man that brings a nice combination of power and speed to the table along with good vision and the willingness to run between the tackles. He is also one of the better pass catchers from the backfield we have in this class. Plenty of Power Four, D1 programs are interested and more get involved by Ward pushing his game to another level this Fall and potentially leading his team to another state title.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='829107' first='Marcelles' last='Davis'] - Houston (83rd overall/8th RB)   - Davis is one guy among our Top 10 running backs that has a chance to move up the rankings with a breakout senior year. Bringing great overall size to the field with room to push on more weight, Davis has yet to really come into his own, so there is a lot of growth yet to come from this Memphis area ball carrier. The Mustangs senior back is a downhill attacking runner that can bounce it to the outside due to his deceptive speed. I think Davis can increase that speed and if he does, along with adding in more power and weight, this West Tennessee product could see a surge with his ranking and recruitment.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='1405419' first='Ethan' last='Kellum'] - BGA (120th overall/9th RB)   - The addition of Kellum within the Wildcats backfield last year made a big difference inside the offense and the team's successful 2024 season. This 5'9 190 pound ball carrier is a multi-talented guy that brings a little bit of everything to his position. Kellum is a physical runner with good feet in the open field. He is one of the better pass catching backs we have in this class. He also shows upside as a solid pass protector in college. I like the overall skill set that the Wildcats senior brings to the field and I think his best football days are ahead of him on the college stage.    - - - - -    [player_tooltip player_id='834613' first='Robert' last='Bailey'] - Shelbyville (140th overall/10th RB)   - The state's leading returning rusher is this Mid-Tennessee product that burst on the scene last year due to his physical running style and nose for the end zone. Bailey is a power back that shows good initial burst and solid open field speed that would translate to the college game. Defenders have a hard time grasping onto Bailey due to his broad shoulders, his wide frame and his powerful lower base. Bailey can run but if he increases his speed, not only will his ranking rise but his overall recruitment stock would as well. His camp performance this summer will be key but so will another productive season this Fall.    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TJW_Scout/status/1903797120093520245 </div></figure>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/?position=RB">#TN2026 RB Rankings</a>   - - - - -    The Next Five …..   [player_tooltip player_id='1106238' first='Michael' last='Hassell'] - FRA (141st overall/11th RB): Hassell is a natural athlete that could develop at multiple positions with his best upside coming at running back. The Panthers senior is a big play threat waiting to happen with the ball in hands, sporting nice size with room to grow and breakaway speed.    [player_tooltip player_id='1432194' first='Josiah' last='Claybrooks'] - Kirkwood (162nd overall/12th RB): Last year was a coming out party for Claybrooks as he established himself as one of the more productive backs coming out of the Mid-TN region. The Cobras ball carrier is a well balanced, strong runner that doesn't go down on first contact.    [player_tooltip player_id='491463' first='Aiden' last='Perry'] - Science Hill (163rd overall/13th RB): One of the top hidden gems from this offensive side of the ball is this East Tennessee ball carrier. Perry is electric with the ball in his hands. He shows a great initial burst then uses his breakaway speed to cut away from defenders and quickly find the end zone.    [player_tooltip player_id='1600242' first='Marquis' last='Gardner'] - Chatt. Prep (164th overall/14th RB): This Chattanooga area running back may be undersized but he plays much bigger. Gardner is a dynamic runner that's well balanced and tough to corral due to his size and powerful lower base. He is also very shifty in small spaces with the ability to break loose and find the end zone.    [player_tooltip player_id='402534' first='David' last='Green'] - Boyd Buchanan (176th overall/15th RB): Green is a strong, powerful runner with enough speed to cause problems for opposing defenses. This guy shows a patient running style, allowing blocks to form then hits the hole hard, looking for open space. If Green can increase his speed, his stock may take-off.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/dgreen.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1614442" style="width:230px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Other Ranked Running Backs   [player_tooltip player_id='1562203' first='Jaydon' last='Peete'] - Milan (183rd overall/16th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1474355' first='Maurice' last='Lawrence'] - Jackson Christian (195th overall/17th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='853128' first='Marvancy' last='Johnson'] - Tullahoma (200th overall/18th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1134336' first='JaMychal' last='Buckner'] - South Pitt (201st overall/19th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1532741' first='James' last='Pierre'] - Webb School (202nd overall/20th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='800786' first='Tory' last='Beaufort'] - Bearden (203rd overall/21st RB)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/02/deulawrence.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1625857" style="width:273px;height:auto" /></figure>   - Peete is coming off a highly productive junior season that helped lead his Bulldogs team to the Class 2A title game. This is a patient, physical runner with good vision that doesn't go down on first contact; Potential is the key word when talking about Lawrence. This guy is one of the bigger backs we have in this class that displays a solid athletic lower base with deceptive speed; Power with open field speed, Johnson is a hidden gem that runs hard and doesn't go down easily. The Wildcats senior back knows how to run the ball but if he can increase his speed, Johnson could see an uptick with his recruitment.    Buckner could be a guy that some coaches look at for either side of the ball but I personally like his upside best at running back where he can use his athleticism, balance and speed to become a home run hitting ball carrier; A compact frame with a powerful lower base, Pierre is a load to handle for opposing defenders with his combination of power and vision. The Feet running back runs hard but if he can push his speed to another level, Pierre's stock could grow; Beaufort is one of the more interesting offensive prospects we have in the #TN2026 class. This guy is a dynamic, ultra athlete that is more of an offensive piece than he is a running back. You could use Beaufort in a variety of ways from running out of the backfield or splitting out in the slot.    [player_tooltip player_id='853119' first='Jaedyn' last='Harris'] - Knox. Central (205th overall/22nd RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1651725' first='Darreus' last='McFadden'] - Briarcrest Chrst. (206th overall/23rd RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1199149' first='Hicks' last='Hunter'] - Sycamore (256th overall/24th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='1133241' first='Hunter' last='Uland'] - Cornersville (257th overall/25th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='284140' first='Bradshaw' last='Klym'] - CPA (259th overall/26th RB)   [player_tooltip player_id='244591' first='Eli' last='Bell'] - Forrest (299th overall/27th RB)   - A big senior year could land Harris on the FCS level. The Bobcats running back brings a nice combination of power, size and speed to the playing field that translates well to the college game. This guy is a talented runner that opposing defenses have a hard time bringing down; McFadden is a dynamic runner with nice vision that shows solid open field speed. He has the capabilities of breaking the home run but could become a better all around back with added power and weight; One of the more productive, seasoned backs we have in the #TN2026 is Hunter. The War Eagles ball carrier is an excellent athlete that gets into the open field quickly with the long speed to consistently find the end zone.    <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/rankings/2026-rankings/">Tennessee Top 300</a>   Uland is a true small town hidden gem that sports an outstanding work ethic but also the size and athletic skill set to develop nicely on the college level. His foot speed is excellent. Uland has the speed needed but is also a tremendous pass catcher along with the potential to be a good pass protector; The Lions have a nice one-two punch in the backfield with Klym being possibly the best backup in the state. He is a big guy that runs hard and has enough athleticism to be a productive back in college; If Bell was playing at a bigger program, you may be hearing more about this dynamic runner. The Rockets senior is a natural athlete that runs very well, showing the needed speed to become a college difference maker.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/dmcfadden2.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1668796" style="width:263px;height:auto" /></figure>