Western KY 26s to Watch: RB

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end 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 Western Kentucky. After already covering the quarterbacks, here are some notable running backs to watch in the class of 2026 in Western Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401707"],"_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-685d9c7ebd7d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401707' first='Evan' last='Hampton'] is the best returning running back in the entire state this season, regardless of class. He is coming off a very impressive junior year in which he carried the ball 169 times for 1,549 yards and 20 touchdowns in 11 games. Hampton has explosive speed which he uses to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency then run away from the defense on long runs. When defenders are able to catch up to him, he is very tough to bring down as he has the strength to run straight through them and elusiveness to make them miss. Evan also played a role in the passing game as a junior, catching 15 passes for 107 yards and four touchdowns. Hampton is committed to Louisville where I can see him developing into a very productive back at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401923"],"_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-685d9ef9b87dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401923' first='Markezz' last='Hightower'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past season, finishing with 206 carries for 1,604 yards and 20 touchdowns in 11 games. Hightower is an elusive ball carrier, showing the ability to change direction smoothly to make defenders miss in the open field. He has also shown the burst of speed to run away from the defense once he hits the second level. Hightower also caught 15 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown as a junior, and came away with an interception on defense. I'm very surprised that Markezz doesn't hold any offers yet but I expect some to come 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":["401703"],"_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-685da244b8f1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401703' first='DJ' last='Wilson'] is another ball carrier who continued to impress as a junior, running the ball 103 times for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. Wilson has very impressive speed which he uses to run away from the defense with ease 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. DJ also finished this past season with 11 receptions for 136 yards. Wilson currently holds offers from Grambling State and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I expect more to come his way this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176974"],"_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-685da244b8fce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1176974' first='Davaree' last='Gude'] is coming off a strong junior season in which he carried the ball 165 times for 1,354 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Gude has very impressive vision in the open field, showing the ability to find cut back lanes then change direction quickly to avoid defenders. He has also shown the speed to break away on long runs at any given moment. Davaree also caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown, and returned one kickoff for a touchdown as a junior. He also played a small role on defense, finishing the year with 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack. Gude has received some college interest and I expect eyes to continue to be on him this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176931"],"_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-685da244b907c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final notable 2026 running back to watch in Western Kentucky this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1176931' first='Jaxen' last='Smith']. Smith led his team in rushing as a junior with 82 carries for 522 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. Jaxen is a shifty ball carrier, showing the ability to make quick cuts in the open field to make defenders miss. He also has shown the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride and the speed to run away from the defense. Smith also played a huge role in the passing game this past season, catching 48 passes for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also made an impact on defense as a junior, finishing the year with 22 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. Jaxen doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have on their radar this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->