Tennessee 2029 Rankings: 50+ Running Backs To Know In The State

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Tennessee Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall -- and the talent is immense.   A few things to remember:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Other than the Top-10 overall rankings, EVERY OTHER SECTION IS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY FIRST NAME</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>This list is NOT final and will be updated by Prep Redzone Tennessee as HS careers progress</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Things change quickly on this level and there may be incorrect information that I simply missed/wasn't aware of </li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Running Back(s) Ranked in Top-10 Overall</h2>   **Listed By Top-10 Ranking**    <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Ranked the No.1 RB and No.10 overall prospect in the initial Tennessee class of 2029 rankings</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Helped West Wilson to an undefeated season in 2024-2025</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Also plays Linebacker at a high level</li> </ul>   I first wrote about [player_tooltip player_id='1618226' first='Jeremiah' last='Steele'] back in early February and there has been nothing that has changed my mind about the physically impressive class of 2029 prospect. As of this initial ranking, Steele is my top 2029 Running Back in the state of Tennessee and when you see him play -- it's not hard to see why. He checks every box from speed, to power, to agility, to vision and beyond. If that wasn't scary enough, there are some people who think he may ultimately end up being an even better Linebacker. Keep an eye on the Golden Bears of Mt. Juliet, because they have a Man of Steele in the backfield.      <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Kruise_ajabeon-Feature.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1697998" style="width:524px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Carter Dugan <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carterduganphoto/" target="_blank">carterduganphoto</a></figcaption></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Top-10 Running Back Prospect Watchlist </h2>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**    Unlike the majority of the prospects on this initial 2029 list, Stinson will enter his freshman season at Grace Christian Academy with a year of Varsity experience already under his belt. On the shorter side, but muscular and very fast in open field. Took home the Offensive MVP award for the Tennessee Future Stars in June.     I was back and forth several times when trying to figure out where [player_tooltip player_id='1412191' first='BJ' last='Boyd'] belongs -- either Outside Linebacker or Running Back. He's an impressive looking kid in terms of size, and was a clear standout for the Golden Tornadoes last year. Doesn't have top end speed at this point, which could make Linebacker a better fit down the line. Additionally not as battle-tested as some of the other RBs based off his geographical location.     Haywood High School has a couple studs coming up in this 2029 freshman class, but the pick of the litter has to be [player_tooltip player_id='1702128' first='Chris' last='Talley Jr.'] He's an exceptional looking athlete with acceleration that others simply don't have at this point. Once he puts his foot in the ground, he's very fast. Will need to work on running lower to the ground to avoid big hits on the varsity level. Talley Jr. has the potential to really flourish in the next four years.     Cooksey was a one-man highlight show at Freedom Middle School and was easily one of the most productive RBs in the Williamson Middle Schools Athletic Association last season. He's a balanced, every down Running Back that can keep the chains moving with pretty good speed and power. The multi-sport athlete also plays basketball and runs track. This past May he PR'd in the 100m with a 12.09.     If I know anything at all, it's that there will be no shortage of speed at Bartlett High School with the 2029 class they're bringing in. In addition to [player_tooltip player_id='1704512' first='Corry' last='Bratcher'], the reigning middle school state champ in the 100m and 200m, [player_tooltip player_id='1704521' first='Isaac' last='Worles'] is another weapon for the Panthers. He's longer than Bratcher, so the ATH designation may fit better over time. Regardless, he's a threat whether or not he lines up in the backfield or out at WR.     In today's game of football there isn't one specific way a Running Back body should look; Some are shorter and thicker, and then some are straight up Gazelles like [player_tooltip player_id='1537309' first='Keyvon' last='Booker']. Booker is an incredibly smooth Running Back who covers a ton of ground with long strides. He'll continue on at Austin-East Magnet, after being part of an elite group of 2029 prospects that shined all of last season.     Out of all the 2029 Running Backs in the state of Tennessee, I may be the most interested to see what the future holds for [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] If there was ever a Maurice Jones-Drew clone in this class, it would be him. Thick, strong, balanced and runs low to the ground like a tank. After tearing up western Tennessee at Briarcrest Christian, Buntyn Jr. is enrolling at Knoxville Catholic for his freshman year. We'll see if he can add to the reported offers of Austin Peay and UT Martin.     The Concord Christian School did a nice job with this 2029 class, going and getting a lot of speed and versatility in the kids they're bringing in -- kids like [player_tooltip player_id='1621991' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] Jr. The last verified size I had for him (5'10, 170 lbs.) looks outdated by my naked eye. He's a thoroughbred that passes the eye test right away. Long limbs, muscular frame, not afraid to get physical by any means. The best comparison I can come up with, is Adrian Peterson.     A rough and tough, throwback football player that anybody who loves this game can appreciate it. When all is said and done, Jacobs will probably go on to be a very good Running Back on the HS level, but a big part of me thinks his future will be at Linebacker. As a Running Back, it honestly appears at times like he's seeking out contact, rather than trying to avoid it. He's a muscled up, brick wall running downhill. Farragut has a good one here.     He'll unfortunately enter his freshman season coming off a slight knee injury that needs a few weeks to heal up, but [player_tooltip player_id='1672216' first='Trevor' last='Nicely'] is a really promising Running Back prospect. Blessed with varsity size already at 5-foot-11 and 186-pounds, he's a track kid that is equal part physical and equal part finesse. Displays excellent lateral movement and agility that other RBs at his size and/or at this level, have not developed yet.      <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Izaiah-Armstrong-body.png?w=875" alt="" class="wp-image-1728156" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The Best of the Rest Running Back Prospect Watchlist </h2>   **Listed Alphabetically By First Name**   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1642456' first='Achilles' last='Lee'] | Rossview High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1524277' first='Bentley' last='Allen'] | South Fulton High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1618760' first='Brandon' last='Brewer'] | Trousdale County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727243' first='Brayden' last='Guinn'] | Coalfield High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1642069' first='Brennan' last='Burchett'] | Cookeville High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727260' first='Cameron' last='Kimball'] | Ravenwood High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1539883' first='Damarion' last='Dillard'] | Dyersburg High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727280' first='Deonta' last='Webster'] | Columbia Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617552' first='Gavin' last='Frazier'] | DeKalb County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1554760' first='Grelyn' last='Gordon'] | Webb School of Knoxville</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1627459' first='Isaiah' last='Bowman'] | Monterey High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727294' first='Izaiah' last='Armstrong'] | Chester County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727323' first='Jaden' last='Siggers'] | Memphis University School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727335' first='Jailon' last='Smith'] | N/A High School (Previous: Bridgeforth Middle School)</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1683279' first='James' last='Martin'] | First Assembly Christian School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727350' first='Jeremy' last='Moore'] | Blackman High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1641927' first='Joe' last='Joe French'] | Beech High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1698743' first='Kaleb' last='Adams'] | St. Benedict at Auburndale</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1554799' first='Kannon' last='Sipe'] | Bearden High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1655557' first='Kevarus' last='Parker Jr.'] | Pearl Cohn High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617511' first='Kinyun' last='Ford'] | Fayetteville High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1297479' first='Manoach' last='Crockett'] | Lipscomb Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727412' first='Marrius' last='Jackson'] | Henry County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1668950' first='Matt' last='Mhlaingena'] | Blackman High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727407' first='Nicholas' last='Stewart'] | Farragut High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1642928' first='Owen' last='Boron'] | Battle Ground Academy</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1672176' first='Peyton' last='Hager'] | Jefferson County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1563286' first='Reece' last='Fletcher'] | Portland High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1571080' first='Reed' last='Midgett'] | DeKalb County High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1633759' first='Riley' last='York'] | Alcoa High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727439' first='Thomas' last='Dixon'] | Lavergne High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617464' first='TJ' last='McReynolds'] | Boyd-Buchanan School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1727443' first='Treon' last='McAdoo'] | East Nashville High School</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1617940' first='Tristin' last='Courtwright'] | Green Hill High School</li> </ul>

After a year of finding prospects, evaluating them in person and on film, speaking with different coaches and sources throughout the state, the Prep Redzone Next Tennessee Class of 2029 Rankings and Watchlist is complete. This list contains nearly 400 prospects that are set to make their high school football debut this upcoming fall -- and the talent is immense.