2028 Rankings Update 2.0: RB

<!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2408","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"2494","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692a4ef02580b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into the month of December, we have entered the next round of ranking updates in the state of Kentucky. The first class to be updated in this round is the class of 2028. With that being said, I will be taking the next week or so to break down these rankings by positions. After already covering the quarterbacks, here are our top running backs in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["470192"],"_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-692a4ef027547"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='470192' first='Ashton' last='Taylor'] has continued to prove that he is the most talented running back in the state in his class. He has split carries in a crowded Trinity backfield this season but has been very productive when on the field, carrying the ball 60 times for 382 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. Taylor has explosive speed which he uses to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency then run away from the defense on long runs. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Ashton has also caught seven passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns, and returned one kickoff for a touchdown this season. Taylor currently holds offers from California, BYU, Arizona State, Toledo, Sacramento State, and Northern Arizona, and I expect more to come his way as his role in the Trinity offense continues to grow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1023199"],"_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-692a599d256f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1023199' first='Eli' last='Thomas'] has been high on our radar since his freshman year and continued to impress this season. As a sophomore, Thomas carried the ball 172 times for 1,385 yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games. He has impressive patience and vision as a ball carrier, showing the ability to let the running lane open up then hit it in a hurry once it opens. Once he hits the second level, Thomas has shown the burst of speed to break away on long runs. He also made an impact in the passing game, catching 13 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Eli will be a player to keep an eye on heading into his junior year as he has already received some college interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2066932"],"_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-692a5a6da2147"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2066932' first='Malachi' last='Kennedy'] jumped onto my radar with an impressive sophomore year. He led Dayton in rushing with 170 carries for 1,509 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 games this season. Kennedy is a strong runner, showing the ability to bounce off defenders and maintain his balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Malachi also led his team in receiving this year, catching 14 passes for 274 yards and five touchdowns, and made an impact on defense, recording 58 tackles. Kennedy is a player who college coaches should have on their radar over the next couple seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2066935"],"_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-692a5be8a3648"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2066935' first='Nicholi' last='Abbott'] is another 2028 running back who jumped onto my radar this season. In 10 games, he ran the ball 115 times for a team-leading 899 yards and 11 touchdowns. Abbott is a shifty ball carrier, showing the ability to make quick cuts in the open field to make defenders miss with ease. He has also proven to be a strong runner, keeping his legs driving through contact to pick up extra yards. Abbott also caught 16 passes for 123 yards this season. Nicholi is another ball carrier who should be receiving attention from college coaches moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1593996"],"_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-692a5ce6830b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up our top five running backs in the class of 2028 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1593996' first='Antonio' last='Kinzer']. Kinzer led his team in rushing this season, carrying the ball 136 times for 815 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He is a very strong runner, showing the ability to lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders to break tackles without losing stride. Once he hits the open field, he has also shown that he has the speed to break away on long runs. Kinzer also caught 12 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown this season, and played a role on defense, accounting for 44 tackles and six tackles for loss. Antonio will be a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop over the next couple years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->