Spring Stock-Risers: 2026 RB Report

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy spring rankings update from the staff at Prep Redzone. This is probably my favorite rankings update of the cycle each year, as we've reevaluated several prospects after seeing them in camp settings and caught up on a few players we missed in the last update immediately after the season. We've got a loaded schedule of rankings pieces that started Monday with reports on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/spring-stock-risers-2026-qb-report/">2026 quarterbacks</a>. Now, we move to the running backs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rankings update, I'm doing things a bit differently. Rather than simply telling you which players moved up, I'm going behind-the-scenes to say&nbsp;<em>why</em>&nbsp;they jumped, whether it was a re-evaluation, a camp performance, or something else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which signal-callers rose in the rankings? Find out in our spring stock-risers 2026 RB Report.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 RB Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1262278"],"_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-682263c1dc0af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wise has excellent speed, evident both on the football field and baseball diamond. He's a guy who could move further up our rankings with a bit more weight and a strong senior season. We like his physical abilities and think he could become even better with more experience at the running back position. The flashes are there, he just needs a bit more strength and more consistency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1301239"],"_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-682263c1dc107"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akers was a bit boom-or-bust as a runner in 2024, as his game stats tended to be heavily influenced by whether or not he was able to break off a chunk run. We're okay with that, as he thrives in the open field and created plenty of explosive plays on the ground. That moved him into the rankings and with some more down-to-down consistency, he could move even higher in the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1531332"],"_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-682263c1dc14b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I finally got the chance to see Martin in person to see if his production was more due to his offense or if it will translate and I can confidently say that I think it will translate. With over 2,000 rushing yards, Martin's initial burst and power are impressive. I liked him a lot at our Prep Redzone Combine in early May and think that he could make another jump if he can lower his 40 time just a bit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600177"],"_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-682263c1dc18a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kendall had a huge junior year, but that wasn't the only reason we moved him up our scouting board. Matt Morrow has gotten eyes on Kendall several times in person and we like his combination of size and speed. He's one of the best home run threats in the state and that's a big part of the reason we moved him nearly 50 spots in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406075"],"_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-682263c1dc1c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm very conservative when it comes to labeling players athletes, preferring to put them at their most likely recruited position, but I moved Bush to running back after a standout year in every phase of the game. He's in an easily overlooked part of the state, but he's one of the most dangerous returners and playmakers in the entire state, and a position change to athlete shouldn't deprive him on a spot on our running back stock-risers list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->