Class of 2028: Rising RBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a very fun running back class. Few have truly pulled away from the competition, but a few have a legit chance to do just that in 2026. Today, I'm going over five Junior RBs who are on track for a big 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2119/register/stock-up-showcase-michigan">Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase</a> heads to Michigan on December 28! <strong>LIMITED TIME - use code "RDZPalloneFREE" for 100% off registration</strong>. </em>Additionally, use code "<strong>PalloneRDZ50Off" for 50% off registration.</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678599"],"_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-6939d5f7c360e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What an incredible season it was for Nauss. Rarely do we see a sophomore RB perform this well at such a big school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-region selection, Nauss strung together several impressive performances against some legit defenses. Watching him in person against West Bloomfield, I didn't see any glaring weaknesses. What makes Nauss such a productive athlete is that he can beat you in a variety of different ways. He can be your short-yardage power back, plowing through tackles and shaking off arm tackles. Additionally, he can take outside tosses to the house with legit speed and vision. Already extremely well-built, and maybe on track toward G5 offers in the coming months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688194"],"_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-693a153d3879b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Givhan showed a ton of nice flashes this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An all-region selection, Jamari served as a pretty well-rounded back for OLSM. He could punch it in at the goalline, bowling through defenders. Or, he could make a defender miss in open space and get nice chunk yardage. He earned a good number of explosive plays, and definitely showed good flashes this season. In the State Championship, Jamari had a respectable day, rushing for 25 yards and 1 TD. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamari had a very good sophomore season, and he's on track to have a much-improved Junior season. I'm looking forward to seeing how Jamari builds off of his current game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688132"],"_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-693a153d387e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Desi is a budding prospect that I'm very high on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23721233/68c03efd76283d897518535c">his tape</a> and see for yourself. Desi is an elusive back, and he has a knack for weaving his way through a defense. Good speed, good vision, and deceptively powerful. Predictably, he's also a productive kick returner- showing that same high effort, and deceptive power through arm tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another important aspect of Desi's game is his performance at DB. While I'm not sure if he's a fundamentally sound man DB, he is very clearly an excellent run stopper and a very high-effort player. There are several instances where Desi chases down a ballcarrier, sometimes going sideline-to-sideline. It's early, but Desi is definitely looking like a prime breakout candidate in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679750"],"_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-693a153d38832"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There isn't a ton of tape out there from Tyler's sophomore season. Though, what is out there is quite good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler is a well-built football player, regardless of whether he's playing RB, WR, or LB. Offensively, he's got the frame and power to bowl through less physical defenders, and runs quite hard. Defensively, he's flashed a great getoff when playing on-ball. Plus, he can bend quite well. Tyler is a prospect who is currently a little difficult to evaluate, but he's got great game stats, and I wanted to give him a shoutout here! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2079385"],"_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-693a153d38878"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacob was an obvious new addition to the rankings, as he earned all-region honors as a kicker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also really like what he was able to do as a running back. Nothing too flashy, but a few instances of good contact balance and breakaway speed. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16616346/691cd08ac9093078726e77da">1:28 on his highlight tape</a> is a nice display of just that. Sometimes, following your blocks and being able to shake off arm tackles works wonders. It worked wonders for Jacob this season, and I'm curious to see which parts of his game are upgraded throughout 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->