Best of the Unranked (TN2026 Running Backs)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who are the some ball carriers across the Volunteer State to keep eyes on this Fall season that could play their way into our updated Fall rankings? We think these guys below have a great shot at doing so with breakthrough senior seasons. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Scouting the talent throughout this state never sleeps. The evaluation process is always on full go, so as we inch closer to the start of the 2025 season, here we look through our database to see who may be sitting under the radar and unranked when it comes to their recruitment. Our #PRZTN rankings will be updated in the Fall and these players have a chance to be added with a breakout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1669050' first='Lawrence' last='Autry'] - Collierville </strong>(Committed to Tulane)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Autry officially transferred late in the process to Collierville when it came to our initial rankings but you can bet he will be added during the next update and inside our Top 100 prospects. Currently committed to Tulane, Autry is a load to deal with due to his physical build and hard nosed running style. The Dragons running back brings a nice combination of power and speed to the playing field that should only develop further as he continues to mature. His addition to the Collierville team could be huge too as the missing piece that might be able to push in the mix of contending for a Class 6A state title. If the Dragons are in the title mix, Autry could also make his way onto the list for Mr. Football as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1798227,"width":"162px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/lautry.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-1798227" style="width:162px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1697829' first='Kavious' last='Record'] - Germantown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Record started to get onto my radar late in the spring but there wasn't enough there to get him ranked. I do believe that will change after watching him perform in 7v7 during the summer and learning of his expectations to carry the ball a ton this Fall for Germantown. This senior ball carrier has had to bide his time over the past few seasons but everything appears to Record being the guy this year where he does have the abilities to produce a 1,000 yard season for the Red Devils. How he can do that is by using his combination of power and speed to get into the open field and run around and through defenders. His performance this senior season will dictate a lot on where he's ranked but I can tell you he will be.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1134310' first='Jaidon' last='Hurst'] - Springfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Mid-Tennessee product just missed our initial senior rankings in the Spring but you can bet Hurst will be among the backs added during our next update and could jump inside the Top 200 with a strong senior year. The Yellow Jackets running back is a multi-year starter that has gotten better each year with Springfield. His best season yet could come this Fall where he is prime candidate for Mr. Football on the 4A level and a back his Yellow Jackets team can lean on throughout the football year. Hurst is a compact runner that has enough juice and speed to break it to the outside and get into the open field. Enhanced speed shown this season will go a long way in not just boosting his #PRZTN ranking but also his college recruiting stock as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1116801' first='Ayden' last='Kline'] - William Blount</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Kline is a hidden gem that has put forth a solid career with the Governors up to this point but could be in-store for a breakout senior year that not only lands him among our rankings but also places on the map for college opportunities. His William Blount team has a chance to be quite good this year and if they are competing for a postseason berth, Kline will be a major reason why. The Govs senior back is a tad undersized at 5 '10 but Kline provides a nice balance of speed, strength and vision that can be developed further on the collegiate level. He has room as well for added weight. If he increases that speed while breaking out for a big year, Kline will be ranked and a stock riser within the eyes of college coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1798258,"width":"167px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/aykline2.jpg?w=649" alt="" class="wp-image-1798258" style="width:167px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1597256' first='Lorenz' last='Wright'] - Memp. Business Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring over to MBA in the off-season, Wright is coming off a breakout junior year where he led his team in rushing while showing explosive flashes that would translate to the college game. The Execs senior running back is undersized (5'8 185) but plays much bigger with a fearless running style and enough explosiveness to be a difference maker in the open field. Wright is a tough ball carrier to tackle. He is strong for his size with a well balanced approach to the field that makes things difficult for defenders to handle. This Memphis based prospect will be ranked within our next update but how high will he go? That is to be determined where Wright can become a major addition to an Execs team that has big expectations for the coming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1600227' first='Nix' last='Fullen'] - Tipton-Rosemark</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Fullen returns for the 2025 season as the state's leading rusher after producing a 2,000 yard campaign last year. Some may ask why he isn't already ranked. Well the competition that his Rebels team competes against isn't the strongest, so I needed to see another strong year from Fullen before adding him to our rankings. Another factor is I'm not totally sure if Fullen will be a running back or linebacker on the next level as he has the size for either position. This Memphis area ball carrier shows on film enough athleticism and speed to remain on offense but he must fill out his body further while increasing the explosiveness. If he can do that, Fullen will be ranked and a sleeper prospect coaches must pay attention to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1748382' first='Amarion' last='Arnold'] - Lexington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming from a small area in West Tennessee, many don't know too much about Arnold but when you turn on his film, you can see an explosive runner that has the speed to hit the open field and not be caught. He was left out of our initial senior rankings due to me needing to see more from this off-season and into his senior year but I can tell you he will be added during our next update. The Tigers senior ball carrier is a talented young man that I see a college future with but he must get bigger while continuing to enhance his game to reach the next level. I think we could be in-store for a breakout senior year that might put him into Mr. Football consideration while also helping boost his college stock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1798275,"width":"246px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/amarnold.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1798275" style="width:246px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1662631' first='Micah' last='Godfrey'] - East Hickman Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Godfrey may be one of the smallest ball carriers from our senior class but he is well built with some wiggle in the open field that makes things difficult for opposing defenses. During our first rankings, Godfrey just missed the cut, so he's already in position to be added within our next update. How high he rises depends on his upcoming senior year. The Eagles senior running back has a year under his best at East Hickman, so he is comfortable now and prepped for a breakthrough season. His open field agility and speed is hard to handle and I fully expect to see those skills on display throughout the year. I like this kid and how he runs. College coaches just haven't found him yet but hopefully they will after the coming Fall football year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1179088' first='Isaiah' last='Worles'] - Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Memphis based running back has had to sit and wait his turn with the Panthers, so there isn't a lot of film out there on him but Worles has shown some work this off-season and early on in scrimmages to be considered for our Fall rankings. Standing roughly 5 '10 190 pounds, the Panthers ball carrier has good size with some broad shoulders, displaying the kind of frame that tacklers would have a hard time grasping. Worles has shown in scrimmages thus far some burst, speed into the open field with the ability to create separation. Now he must continue to do this in counted games but I like what I'm seeing up to this point. Worles is definitely somebody on my radar moving forward that could certainly be added into our rankings with a breakout senior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684758' first='Everette' last='Walker II'] - Kirby</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Another under the radar running back from the greater Memphis area is this 5 '9 180 plus senior that may not be on the college radar right now but could by the end of the 2025 season. Walker has yet to really break out during his time at Kirby but all signs point to him being the main guy carrying the ball this season. The Cougars running back is compact with a frame that can pack on more weight. Walker also showed during college camp season his ability to burst into the open field with enough speed to create solid separation. It will be interesting to see how he is used and performs this Fall as Walker is certainly on my radar to receive a ranking boost in our next update.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Other Possible Risers: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422921' first='Juan' last='Mejia'] </strong>- Johnson Co., (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1282609' first='Mason' last='Mays'] </strong>- Marion Co., (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1476117' first='Jahkai' last='Brown'] </strong>- Antioch, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492601' first='Caden' last='Stroud'] </strong>- Goodpasture, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584100' first='Chris' last='Newbold'] </strong>- Jackson South-Side</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1798282,"width":"248px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/iworles.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1798282" style="width:248px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->