2028 RB New Additions

We just updated our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 rankings</a>, and we'll have plenty of coverage this week of stock-risers, new additions, and the players that tell the story of the update. We've already gone <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-midseason-update/">behind the scenes of the rankings update</a>. Here, we're hitting the running backs, covering every player who either rose or was added to the rankings. We started with our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/2028-qb-report-stock-risers-and-new-additions/">2028 QB Report</a>. Here, we're looking at all the new 2028 running backs in the rankings.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 RB New Additions</h2>   We added nine new running backs to the rankings. These guys have had great sophomore seasons, most of them in their first extended varsity action.    Brooks was the first new running back added to the 2028 rankings, chronologically speaking, after a massive breakout game in Week 1. He's not the biggest back, but he has plenty of time to add weight and a frame that will support it. His pad level, vision, and speed are the three traits that suggest a long, impressive career. He's excellent at hitting the hole, then bouncing to the outside at the second level, using his speed to get to the corner.     White has gotten stronger as the season has progressed, culminating with a 224-yard outburst in a win against Carson. He has good burst and rarely goes down on first contact. A hard-working back, we expect him to continue to get bigger and faster in the weight room, which should help him become a more complete back.     A two-way player, we may eventually make linebacker Smith's primary position in our system. For now, we like him as a bigger, bruising running back with occasional big-play potential. He's at his best as he gets closer to the end zone and he's not afraid to run through would-be tacklers on his way to a score.     Davison got off to a hot start for the Cougars, putting up over 500 yards in the first four games. He has an excellent feel for finding green grass, and despite his slighter build, he's a handful to bring down in the open field. In fact, you'll rarely see him go down on first contact or one-on-one. It usually takes a handful of defenders, and we love to see that.     Willis had a decent freshman season, but has taken his game to a completely new level as a sophomore. He's running with confidence, decisiveness, and attitude for North Henderson. It's not a schedule thing, as he looked great against Brevard. He has power, balance, and speed to the edge. If he continues to develop, this isn't the highest he'll ever be in the rankings.     Garinger has had a rough go of things in recent seasons, but got into the win column early in 2025, largely thanks to Pharr. He has a great feel for finding open grass, whether that's laterally to create space or up the front to get an extra few yards. The power will come, as the pad level and vision are excellent already.     While it's been hard to find consistent success as a runner, Hariston has done well as a sophomore. He's a big, bruising back who operates out of Harding's wishbone. He may grow into a linebacker or interior defensive lineman, since he plays both ways, but we like him a lot as a running back right now.     We don't typically rank guys primarily off their JV film, but Parise has looked so strong on that level that we can't ignore what he's doing. He has good size for his age, and he can break plenty of tackles. His vision shows up well with a lot of inside zone, but perhaps most impressive is his ability to maximize the yardage he gets on a given play. If a run could go for 10, he's going to get at least eight. If a run is blocked for three, he's going to pick up three. There's a lot of projection needed here, but we think he could be a breakout varsity star next season.     Jones is on pace for 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and he's doing it against some quality opponents. He's at his best as a one-cut runner, and Hunt has done an excellent job of getting him off-tackle, where he can plant and get up the field. That's because he has excellent acceleration and some wiggle in the hole. He's an intriguing young back who we'll follow carefully.

We just updated our 2028 rankings, and we'll have plenty of coverage this week of stock-risers, new additions, and the players that tell the story of the update. We've already gone behind the scenes of the rankings update. Here, we're hitting the running backs, covering every player who either rose or was added to the rankings. We started with our 2028 QB Report. Here, we're looking at all the new 2028 running backs in the rankings.