2027 RBs Report: August Rankings Update

It's a busy time at Prep Redzone, with rankings updates, all-state teams, season previews and more. So, we're slowly working through each position group to give you the stock-risers and new additions to the 2027 class in our August Rankings Update.   This rankings update put a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/august-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-of-the-2027-class/">heavier emphasis on additions than movement</a>, but the running back group bucked that trend. Here, we have all the running back new additions and stock-risers in one spot. Take a look at our 2027 RBs Report.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 RB New Additions</h2>    We wrote about Mukendi when diving into the best running backs at the NCISAA ranks. He's a bigger, more physical back with excellent contact balance and the ability to make some people miss in the open field. He's a guy who should get better with more opportunities and I'd to see him continue to develop.     When we previewed the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-coastal-5a-6a-conference/">Coastal 5A/6A Conference</a> last month, Boucher stuck out as a guy who could have a huge impact on Croatan's chances in 2025. He's not the biggest guy, but his impact extends beyond the running back position. One of the top players on his team, Boucher has game-breaking ability as a big-play threat on both sides of the ball.     Leblanc flashed on JV as a freshman before putting up over 800 yards as a sophomore on just 115 carries. His touches were a bit inconsistent last year, but he took over more than one game with some long runs that opened up the defense to the pass later. As a junior, expect him to earn more carries, as Richlands loses two senior backs.     In terms of pure athletic profile, Turner at or near the top in the state. Both over 200 pounds and with a 40 time under 4.6, he can win with both speed and power and a quick glance at his Hudl tape shows both. He's a guy who doesn't yet have elite production, but he's a candidate to fly up our board with a bit more refinement and some strong play this fall.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 RB Stock-Risers</h2>    It feels like we're waiting on the true breakout for Lindsay, who has performed well in limited opportunities, but hasn't yet had a full workload. He had 10 touches in a game just twice last season, but still went over 100 yards three times for Ashbrook as a sophomore. He's a quick, compact back with one of the better receiving profiles in the state. Yet again, he thrived on the camp circuit and we're excited to see him this fall.     Polk had an absurd touchdown rate last season, scoring nine times on 59 rushes and adding another as a receiver. He can play in the backfield or the slot and is a home run threat every time. We really like his upside and that ability to score from anywhere on the field means defenses have to account for him every play, even if he only averaged about six touches a game last year.     Adams is another guy who isn't going to get a workhorse load, given the offense and the depth chart. Playing behind an NC State commit, Adams is an elite change-of-pace back, a guy who can come in without letting the offense take a step back. He's a bigger back with pass-catching ability and good vision to pick up tough yardage.     Every year, there are 5-10 players in the eastern part of the state whose recruitments take a bit longer to get started, but take off once the first offers trickle in. Phillips fits into that category, as he finished the month of June with five offers--including multiple from the Power Four--after earning his first from USF early in the month. He's a tough runner with excellent contact balance and home run speed.

It's a busy time at Prep Redzone, with rankings updates, all-state teams, season previews and more. So, we're slowly working through each position group to give you the stock-risers and new additions to the 2027 class in our August Rankings Update.