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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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&nbsp;<em>really&nbsp;</em>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the latest New Jersey high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1540920"],"_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-6822336f75aee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wayne Valley has a good one in [player_tooltip player_id='1540920' first='Elizer' last='Estevez']. Estevez has very good balance, staying upright against low tacklers. He can scamper a bit too, gaining a lot of ground in a hurry; where in a similar sense, he generates too much velocity to be tackled up high. This translates to him looking like a violent, slashing runner in the open field. Estevez appears to be able to gain the edge and beat defenders there, while also showcasing patience between the tackles for holes to open at moments. Although he is used as a pass catcher, Estevez profiles as a power back to me. He runs with a forward lean and will use himself as a battering ram at moments. Speed that turns into power is the name of this talented back's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17754491/673cca1b8f24d8be16689047' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6822336f75e57"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1557909"],"_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-6822336f75f00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1557909' first='Liam' last='Hayward'] is a bit of an exception in terms of high school running backs. Listed at 6'3", he still has some moves, can get low, and make some plays. Despite having more surface area to attack, Hayward is sturdy and strong, tough to bring down. Part of this might come from his psyche, as Hayward looks like a very natural, instinctual player when the ball is in his hands. Hayward is able to bend, sink his hips, and get low for tough, short yardage. Another thing that endeared me to Hayward was that he put clips of him in pass protection on his tape - where we see him hand fight to do so. Lastly, ball security is paramount for him as we see Hayward pin the ball to his chest - no matter how many cuts and moves he makes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17866550/670adc79864ff0418c3d905d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6822336f75f3a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551135"],"_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-6822336f75fb2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1551135' first='Mekhi' last='Cottle'] is a back that will plow you over with his shoulders if he needs to. Not lost amongst his power game, however, his his propensity to string together a multiplicity of moves on one run to amass a big gain. There is a change of speed to his game in the open field, too. Cottle has tons of balance when he runs and even more cutback vision that allows him to weave through defenses. The most unique thing about Cottle's running style might be that he kind of stops and goes without breaking down - hard to describe but you will see it on tape. Last but not least, Cottle is very good playing over pursuing defenders, using their own aggressiveness to beat them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17923454/673deef9cc4acc0e5d15741a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6822336f75fe7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1599625"],"_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-6822336f7605e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If there was one thing that I saw on [player_tooltip player_id='1599625' first='Richard' last='Pierce']'s film that I did not notice on any others, it is the fact that when running Pierce almost seems to bait defenders into thinking he is going to run outside, only to stick his foot in the ground and cut back upfield. Such subtle pressure cuts are made by him at nearly any juncture on the field whenever he sees a hole. Disciplined in his approach, Pierce will follow his blockers while also weaponizing his body to plow ahead when necessary. If the football field was a chess board, Pierce would be the Queen in the sense that he uses the entire field to move freely in any direction he sees fit. Cuts are made often in the back-seven of the secondary, but Pierce always seems to pin the ball tight ot his chest as danger looms.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18164324/67b5240a090ff4d1aa056a65' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6822336f76094"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1523188"],"_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-6822336f76109"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Low-key, Ocean City has some really solid prospects on their roster with [player_tooltip player_id='1523188' first='Triston' last='Schmidt'] being no exception. When his initial path is taken away, we see Schmidt look cooler than the other side of the pillow making cuts behind the line of scrimmage, and again in the secondary, on his way to big gains. Schmidt sort of has a peek-a-boo style of running, as he is able to get in-and-out of holes easily when gaps are taken away. Sometimes it looks like he is running too fast for himself, but he manages to recovery and show good balance - which also allows him to regain top speed quickly after he makes a cut. that said, Schmidt is more inclined to go through you, particularly in the box, than he is to make you miss. In those trenches, the ball is secured to his body. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18150022/673a12722e6d268f865f301b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6822336f7613d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Rankings Update Coverage</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-v">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part V</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-viii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ix">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IX</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-x">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part X</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xiii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xiv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XIV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-xv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part XV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-athlete-film-room-part-i">Athlete Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-back-film-room-part-i">Defensive Back Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-back-film-room-part-ii">Defensive Back Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-i">Defensive Line Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-ii">Defensive Line Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-iii">Defensive Line Film Room, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-i">Linebacker Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-ii">Linebacker Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-offensive-line-film-room-part-i">Offensive Line Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-i">Quarterback Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-running-back-film-room-part-i">Running Back Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-running-back-film-room-part-iii/">Running Back Film Room, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-special-teams-film-room">Special Teams Film Room</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-i">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-ii">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part II</a><br><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><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-shake-up-within-the-top-150-ranked-part-ii">Biggest Rankings Jump, Ranked Prospects, Part II</a><br><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><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-75">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 75</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-150">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 150</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->