Arkansas Top Running Back Prospects Heading Into 2025

<p>With the season right around the corner, we take a look at the top running backs in the Natural State. Most, if not all, of these prospects will be playing on Saturdays in 2026. Here are ten running backs to watch. (No Particular Order).</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] has been a personal favorite at the running back position for quite sometime. He's elusive, shifty, and versatile. Lewis showcases good post-snap vision, allowing him to locate first-level defenders and identify running lanes quickly. He has the lateral quickness to evade early penetration. He uses his burst to attack openings and escape the first level of defense. Lewis can dominate both gap and zone schemes.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NLewis5_/status/1934356226894135442 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1316501' first='Kevin' last='Young Jr.'] broke out in 2024 and I expect him to continue that path in 2025. He demonstrates good post-snap vision, allowing him to assess first-level defenders and identify running lanes quickly. His ability to change direction, lateral agility, patience, and quickness, helps him evade early penetration. Additionally, the running back shows good contact balance. His impressive leg drive allows him to absorb hits and break tackles for extra yardage.</p>   <p>Note - 4.39 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KevinYoung2007/status/1936598210736247168 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1142032' first='Rico' last='Ward'] is a running back prospect to add to the recruiting board. His recruitment has taken off this off-season, and it's well deserved. He demonstrates a quick first step, good foot quickness, and acceleration. This allows him to attack running lanes and separate from the first level of defense. He possesses good lateral agility and balance, enabling him to evade early penetration and evade defenders in space, becoming elusive. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ricoward15/status/1943352415786537209 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1532731' first='Trey' last='Stewart'] is another running back prospect who blew up in 2024. He holds multiple major P5 and some G5 offers. He is an elusive running back known for making defenders miss in space. He demonstrates good post-snap vision, allowing him to quickly and effectively identify running lanes. His change of direction and lateral agility enable him to evade early penetration from defenders. Stewart will be playing on Saturday's.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi-Sport Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TreyStewart2027/status/1934770150797967413 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1195565' first='Isaiah' last='Stephens'] is likely the most versatile running back in Arkansas. His ability to dominate on the ground and as a receiver is impressive. He displays good post-snap vision, effectively reading first- and second-level defenders. His ability to identify run lanes on zone runs, combined with his mental processing and patience, helps him follow his lead blocker on inside gap runs. Stephens has strong hands and good hand-eye coordination. He's a smooth route runner who can quickly get upfield post-catch.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 26 TDs in 2024</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zay_quicksand/status/1942359741264482452 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORE TOP RUNNING BACKS:</h2>   <p>2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1155131' first='TJ' last='Hodges'] - Bryant</p>   <p>2026 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1283877' first='Enoch' last='Assan'] - Greenbrier</p>   <p>2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1173104' first='Carter' last='Wallace'] - Valley View</p>   <p>2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='789982' first='Micah' last='Gamble'] - Fordyce</p>   <p>2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1136507' first='Kentz' last='Brown'] - Dumas</p>

With the season right around the corner, we take a look at the top running backs in the Natural State. Most, if not all, of these prospects will be playing on Saturdays in 2026. Here are ten running backs to watch. (No Particular Order).