5 Breakout 2026 Running Backs Turning Heads

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1591005"],"_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-68e31d3ad157d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1591005' first='Isaac' last='Ryon'] is an electric running back with the ball in his hands. His ability to hit the whole and make defenders miss is special. He has great moves from his running back position, as he can make defenders miss at a high rate. He also shows electric speed. When he gets in the open field, he is off to the races. The other part of his film I love is how patient he is as a running back. He waits for the whole to open, and then he explodes through the hole. Ryon is a good running back who is having a strong season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Year highlights, finished the season with 1,719 yards on 153 carries |29 TD's | 3 ints| 10 pass breakups | 64 tackles | 33 extra points | 1 field goal | 210 total points | <a href="https://twitter.com/Hudl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hudl</a> <a href="https://t.co/y50IrSxorV">https://t.co/y50IrSxorV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hudl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hudl</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1591005' first='Isaac' last='Ryon'] (@Isaacryon2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaacryon2026/status/1880450347577291122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1520382"],"_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-68e31d3ad15ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wow, [player_tooltip player_id='1520382' first='Taza' last='Sweeney'] is a dynamic running back for York Suburban. His ability as a running back to make cuts and make people miss in the open field is special. He has an incredible ability to make people miss. He is the type of player who makes subtle moves and can make defenders miss. He also has elite speed, and when he gets into the open field he is gone. I really like Sweeney's film, and I came away impressed with him as a player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">11:43 3Q: Trojans recover a fumble on the Warriors' 9, setting up [player_tooltip player_id='1520382' first='Taza' last='Sweeney'] for a touchdown on the next play.<br><br>Kick is no good. Trojan lead the Warriors 20-7. <a href="https://t.co/SZZrIS6Jw8">pic.twitter.com/SZZrIS6Jw8</a></p>&mdash; Jack Gleckler (@thejackgleckler) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejackgleckler/status/1974268666561585342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1078497"],"_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-68e31d3ad16a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1078497' first='Anthony' last='Eakin'] is a great playmaker who makes plays all over the field. His ability to make defenders miss in space is excellent. He has great speed, and if he gets a step on a defender, he is off to the races. He is also able to catch the ball and make defenders miss in space. He also shows good skills as a defensive back with 4 interceptions. Eakin is a talented player on both sides of the ball as he continues to shine at a high rate for Neshannock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Senior Mid SZN Highlights <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/win?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#win</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> <br>4-1 record (2-0) Conference <br>Rush 65-573 10Tds<br>Rec 2-46 1 td<br>26tks <br>18Asst <br>4int<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBongi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBongi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/birdogg5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@birdogg5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/flora_joey26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@flora_joey26</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WPIAL_Insider?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPIAL_Insider</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/footballcoach79?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballcoach79</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/wpialsportsnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wpialsportsnews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzonePA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzonePA</a> <a href="https://t.co/hrhmmzZRdv">https://t.co/hrhmmzZRdv</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1078497' first='Anthony' last='Eakin'] (@anteakin2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/anteakin2026/status/1972391131796361598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1077285"],"_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-68ed0cdc3294f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1077285' first='Gabriel' last='Green'] is a skilled running back who excels in the open field. His ability to make defenders miss is excellent as a running back. He is a physical running back who is hard to tackle. He is also a skilled runner who possesses the speed to evade defenders. The other area of strength is his pass blocking. I saw him on multiple pass blocking plays to allow his quarterback to make big throws. Running between the tackles, he is good at as well. Green is a complete running back who can do it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/GabeGreen_22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GabeGreen_22</a> with 6 after ripping a long run looks like Liberty will take this one<br><br>Liberty 41<br>Northampton 34 <a href="https://t.co/k12DSnvqwF">pic.twitter.com/k12DSnvqwF</a></p>&mdash; HSFB Justin Liciaga 🏈 (@HSFBJustin) <a href="https://twitter.com/HSFBJustin/status/1966677015962009674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1591052"],"_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-68ed0cdc329c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1591052' first='Brendan' last='Gilliland'] is a big (6'1") and physical running back for Troy. He is the type of athlete who can be used in multiple areas as a playmaker. His ability to make defenders miss in space is special. He also has a physical running style that allows him to blow over defenders trying to tackle him. The other area of strength is his speed. When he gets into the open field, he is off to the races. Gilliland is an impressive player in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">#23 [player_tooltip player_id='1591052' first='Brendan' last='Gilliland'] 62yd td 7:17 4th xp good Troy 37 Athens 26 <a href="https://t.co/xp7tNW994W">pic.twitter.com/xp7tNW994W</a></p>&mdash; Lindsey Bennett (@LindseyB_PFN) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyB_PFN/status/1966672015617654882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->