2026 RB Stock-Risers: October

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's that time again! In case you missed it, we&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/updated-2026-north-carolina-rankings-4/">updated our 2026 rankings</a>, and we have plenty of stock-risers, 108 to be exact.. I've already gone&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/october-rankings-update-behind-the-scenes-oif-the-2026-class/">behind the scenes</a>&nbsp;on this update, giving fans an idea about our thinking and decisions within the rankings. Here, I'm diving into evaluations for some of our biggest stock-risers at the running back position. Here are our October RB stock-risers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 RB Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1604514"],"_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-68e52a0a63864"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The new 8-classification system has had wide-reaching implications, especially in the middle classes. After a 2-8 season in 3A last year, Dixon is playing at the newly-created 5A level, and Gulat is running away with the Player of the Year race. A powerful back with excellent long speed, he's eclipsed 225 yards in every game, going over 340 in the last two. With a decent playoff run, he could challenge for the all-time single-season rushing record. His contact balance and vision will certainly carry over to the college level as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671870"],"_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-68e52a0a638c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morris is one of our favorite backs in the state, and he does almost everything well. He doesn't have one elite trait, but he's good-to-great at everything he does, from speed to vision to a great initial burst off the line. He's always been a consistent back, but he's already set a career-high in touchdowns and is on pace to pass last year's 1,000-yard season in the next game or two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671869"],"_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-68e52a0a6390b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some players just need opportunities, and Hill is making the most of his. With some other injuries on offense, Hill has been thrust into a key role against one of the state's toughest schedules. He's shown the ability to pick up consistent, tough yardage against stacked boxes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1277000"],"_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-68e52a0a63950"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">James is in the midst of a breakout year, and it's amazing what can happen with speed and burst. He excels in all three phases of the game, but we like him best as a speedy running back with great vision. He's on pace for over 150 yards this season, and he's been more explosive, picking up yards in bunches, especially as conference play has started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1600181"],"_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-68e52a0a63995"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wallace-Rose Hill has been as banged up as any team in the state this season, making what Lamb's been able to do all the more impressive. Lamb has eclipsed his previous high in touchdowns and is nearing last year's 1,360-yard mark in just six games. He's averaging nearly 200 yards a game, running with authority and decisiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["473838"],"_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-68e52a0a639d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tarboro is rolling, and McDowell-Moore looks as good as he ever has in a Viking uniform. He got bigger, stronger, and faster this offseason, and that's showing on the field. The raw offensive numbers aren't quite what they were in a ridiculous junior season, but I like the way he's running the ball better than at this time last year. He's breaking more tackles, hitting the hole with more authority and leading Tarboro to another potential undefeated season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660478"],"_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-68e52a0a63a2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Because of where he's located in the state, people are less aware of what Langston's done so far this year. He's added plenty of good weight, allowing him to improve his power and contact balance. He's well on his way to his first 1,000-yard season, and he's a guy who could continue to put up big numbers in an exciting stretch run of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2026 RB Stock-Risers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671873' first='Mason' last='Iovino']</strong>, Cuthbertson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/josh-falzarano-jr/">Josh Falzarano Jr.</a></strong>, Myers Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1728226' first='Jackson' last='Cancel'], </strong>Christ School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704839' first='EJ' last='Ruffin']</strong>, Ayden-Grifton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473833' first='Brilison' last='McCullers']</strong>, Millbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169882' first='Zach' last='Cullen']</strong>, Sun Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650579' first='Anthony' last='Jimenez']</strong>, American Leadership Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369343' first='Garrett' last='Nowlan']</strong>, Charlotte Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expect plenty more from us on the class of 2026 as we provide content on the midseason rankings update. We'll provide new updates for stock-risers and new additions, while continuing our in-season coverage of every classification in the state.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->