Running Backs Primed for Breakout Seasons In 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Tennessee high school football season concluded last week with the East-West All-Star Game, which means it's time to start looking into next year. There's a plethora of young players who got their feet wet this season, and some who took the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm starting a new series discussing players at each position who are poised to enjoy breakout campaigns in 2026. The majority of the student-athletes on this list are underclassmen, with two being rising seniors who have shown immense potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've selected five total to talk about, with the running backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1167925} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/Micah-Nance-28-PRZN.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1167925" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] – Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] is an exciting prospect who's shown flashes of being a star, but was forced to share the backfield with a senior. Now, the tailback room is all his, and he's poised for a breakout campaign in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 14 games this season, Nance ran for several hundred yards with nearly double-digit touchdowns in one of the toughest classifications in Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a smaller back at 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, but has time to grow. What's important is that the Blaze running back possesses all of the tools that his position needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nance is speedy, elusive, showcases impressive vision, runs hard and is not afraid of contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm excited to see what he can do next season with the backfield to himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2058994} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-19-2025-2-22-12-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058994" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Oakland RB Kamani Bass. Photo by Oakland Athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 Kamani Bass – Oakland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oakland's Kamani Bass is pure entertainment when he has the pigskin. He shared the backfield with two Division I signees this year and was still productive as the third option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9 running back ran for 587 yards on an incredible 9.8 YPC and two touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a compact player, but make no mistake, he can play ball. His speed and burst are second to none, not to mention how patient a runner he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bass is also effective at catching passes, making him the complete package. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With both tailbacks ahead of him graduating, expect the rising senior to have a great 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1866230} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/Kruise-Buntyn-Jr2-crop-2832x1860-1756861903.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1866230" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] – Knoxville Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville Catholic stud freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1305180' first='Kruise' last='Buntyn Jr.'] had a good first season for the Fighting Irish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was supposed to be the backup to rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1084814' first='Matthew' last='Rogers'], but after an injury, Buntyn Jr was the feature back to begin the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the first five games, he accounted for over 600 all-purpose yards and five scores. As Rogers came back into the fold, the freshman's workload declined. However, he still showed a lot in the 2025 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-6, 177-pound running back plays with extreme toughness, features impressive footwork and nice speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2085007} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/12/Photo-Dec-17-2025-4-19-28-PM-crop-1059x696-1766010192.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085007" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Boyd-Buchanan RB [player_tooltip player_id='1617464' first='TJ' last='McReynolds'] after a touchdown. This photo is by Boyd-Buchanan athletics.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1617464' first='TJ' last='McReynolds'] – Boyd-Buchanan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1617464' first='TJ' last='McReynolds'] is an outstanding player who's just scratching the surface of his potential. He boasts great size for his age at 6-foot and 195 pounds, along with impressive athleticism and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McReynolds finished the year with 265 yards on 49 carries (5.4 YPC) and nine touchdowns in a system that uses a plethora of running backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of them graduate, so his workload should increase significantly as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's explosive, has good vision, nice burst and is also physical. The rising sophomore isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and make contact with a defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2085009} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/43-Kwadir-Fletcher-rotated-crop-2832x1860-1766010568.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2085009" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: FRA RB [player_tooltip player_id='903954' first='Kwadir' last='Fletcher'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='903954' first='Kwadir' last='Fletcher'] – Franklin Road Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing with the trend, [player_tooltip player_id='903954' first='Kwadir' last='Fletcher'] had a solid junior season, but had to share the backfield with another running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, the 2027 prospect finished with over 500 yards and double-digit touchdowns for the Division II-AA runner-up FRA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fletcher is well built at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, with physicality and toughness as a runner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, he has solid speed and can outrun people if necessary. The rising senior is a prime candidate for a breakout season in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->