Eastern KY 26s to Watch: RB

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head deeper into the month of June, the 2025 high school football season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, I wanted to take some time to highlight some incoming seniors in specific areas of the state of Kentucky. To continue these series, I will be taking the next week to highlight some incoming seniors at each position in Eastern Kentucky. After already covering the quarterbacks, here are some notable running backs to watch in the class of 2026 in Eastern Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513937"],"_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-6859a13baf5ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1513937' first='Kaleb' last='Miller'] had a breakout season as a junior, running the ball 287 times for 2,105 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games. Miller is a physical runner who has shown the ability to lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders without breaking stride. Once he hits the open field, he has the burst of speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Kaleb also caught seven passes for 113 yards and threw two touchdown passes as a junior. Miller doesn't currently hold any offers but I could see some coming his way soon as he has received some college interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584336"],"_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-6859a1be062ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1584336' first='DJ' last='Wren'] is another running back who is coming off a strong junior season. He finished this past season with 209 carries for 1,498 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games. Wren is a strong runner who has shown the ability to keep his feet running through contact while maintaining his balance to pick up extra yards. He has also shown the speed to break away from the defense on long runs. DJ also caught one touchdown pass as a junior and made an impact on defense, finishing the year with 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Wren doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player who college coaches should keep an eye on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694642"],"_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-6859a6b2461b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1694642' first='Jeremiah' last='Austin'] jumped onto my radar as a junior as he led his team with 206 carries for 1,574 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games. Austin lines up at fullback in the Belfry option attack where he is an impressive downhill runner, showing the ability to burst out of his stance and hit the running lane with a sense of urgency. Once he hits the second level, Austin has shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss and speed to run away from the defense. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown this past season while also finishing with 22 tackles on defense. Jeremiah doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect a lot of eyes to be on him heading into his senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["273452"],"_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-6859a6b246221"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='273452' first='Ace' last='Caudill'] is another talented ball carrier in the Belfry offense. As a junior, Caudill ran the ball 68 times for 553 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. Caudill plays a wing back role in the Belfry offense where he is able to use his speed to get around the corner in a hurry then run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss when they are able to catch up to him. Caudill has also proven to be a reliable target in the passing game out of the slot, catching 21 passes for 180 yards as a junior. He also made an impact on defense this past season, finishing with 78 tackles and an interception. Ace doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773227"],"_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-6859a6b24626b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable 2026 running back to watch in Eastern Kentucky this season is [player_tooltip player_id='773227' first='Jayden' last='Gibson']. Gibson had a solid junior year, running the ball 112 times for 658 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. He has impressive vision, showing the ability to find open cut back lanes then hit them quickly. Gibson has also shown the contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. Jayden also caught 13 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown as a junior and played a key role on defense, finishing the year with 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Gibson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep a close eye on this season as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->