2028 Rankings Update: Tailbacks Not Wasting Early Opportunity

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</a>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout. This deal will be good throughout the entirety of the Winter Rankings cycle.   The 17 running backs we have included in the Class of 2028 rankings have no shortage of production already attached to their names.   Four of them surpassed 1,000 yards rushing during their sophomore seasons, and a few more were within a couple good carries for reaching that plateau. But whether each running back hit quadruple digits or not, at this point we're looking for signs of bigger things to come.   Every single back on the list checks that box.   Between the established ball carriers who were already in our rankings and the newcomers joining the fray, we're seeing loads of potential here.    BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] Christ Church   Martin earned top-billing in our positional rankings by turning himself into one of those guys who would be a first-round fantasy football draft pick. His 30 rushing touchdowns meant he reached the end zone once every 8.56 carries. His 1,425 rushing yards weren't too shabby, either. Nor was how he showed he could catch the ball out of the backfield. Martin is getting some college love already because the total package.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672833' first='Trace' last='Hillian'] Hartsville   The Red Foxes' offensive system lends itself to some big rushing totals, but only if the personnel actually has the physical tools to make it count. Hillian can make sure it does. As a sophomore, he hit 1,000 rushing yards on the season during the playoff opener and scored 12 touchdowns (11 rushing, one receiving). His speed is already next level, and the staff will be doing everything they can to exploit that even more than they already have.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820474' first='Preston' last='Smith'] Midland Valley   Want to know why Smith is ranked so high? Take a look at what he did smack dab in the middle of the season. In a 34-7 win over Brookland-Cayce on September 26, he ripped off 229 yards and a touchdowns on just 19 carries. A week later, he bested his numbers with a 17-carry, 334-yard, five touchdown performance against Airport. He wasn't done until after piling up 1,262 yards and 10 touchdowns and another 346 yards and three scores receiving.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817005' first='Reggie' last='Shannon'] Sumter   Whomever gets the Gamecocks job is going to be enamored with the big ol' quarterback coming back for a third season as the starter. He's also going to be impressed with Shannon. The tailback had 871 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. He's got a great second and third steps to get him to the second level and when he's got a head of steam stepping in front of him usually works out in his favor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] Westwood    Howard (pictured) played very much like a sophomore at times last fall, but he looked like a much more experienced back at others. He topped 200 yards against Richland Northeast in early September, did it again two weeks later against rival Blythewood and then went for a third 100-yard game against St. James to open the playoffs. He also finished the year with nine rushing touchdowns.    NOTABLE NEW ADDITIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='1816469' first='Avery' last='King'] Brookland-Cayce   King was often reduced to an ancillary role while the Bearcats were forced to throw the ball more in an attempt to make up for some early game deficits. When that wasn't the case, though, we saw how big of a part of the game plan he really was. In close games against Aiken and Airport, for instance, he got the ball more and produced both of his 100-yard games. The trick will be getting him involved more out of the gate.    [player_tooltip player_id='1850667' first='Quay' last='Vereen'] Atlantic Collegiate   Like most of the ACA lineup, there were days when Vereen was on and others he wished he had back. But how quickly he developed into the cornerstone of the offensive playmakers was important, both in the scope of the 2025 football season - when he rushed for 979 yards - and the long term. Vereen's best ball is in front of him, and the Armada's offense may very well revolve around him next fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816916' first='Khrishawn' last='Smith'] Marlboro County    Smith got his dry run season on the varsity while the Bulldogs. But from the second last season ended, Smith was the play moving forward. Here's why it makes sense: Marlboro County is a big fan of the play-action style, delayed handoff right up the gut. Smith knows when to wait and when to hit the accelerator. He had 450+ yards and eight touchdowns last fall, and most of the scores were longer runs that started between the tackles.     TAILBACKS PRIMED TO RISE   [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamearion' last='Williams'] Abbeville   Williams was really starting to hit his stride back in the early going of the 2025 season when he suffered a broken collarbone and missed significant time. He's already back, and now that Abbeville knows what he can do, we might see a super-fast production jump out of him. Don't be shocked when he's ripping off big yardage next August and September.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821075' first='Raymond' last='Middleton'] North Charleston    Middleton's season was cut short all of two carries into 2025 when he suffered a torn ACL against Military Magnet. It was a heartbreaking start to the season, but all is not lost. Middleton's recovery is going well and he will likely be back to full strength by the time spring ball comes around, let alone next fall. Middleton should be back to his old ways soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1672927' first='Ty' last='Abrams'] Newberry    With [player_tooltip player_id='473022' first='BJ' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1267234' first='Kenton' last='Caldwell'] both out of eligibility, Abrams appears to be one of the focal points for the Bulldogs' offense. He's already shown how much damage he can do. Take the three-game span he had between September 19-October 3, for instance. Against Fairfield Central, Saluda and Silver Bluff, he piled up 477 rushing yards, another 39 receiving and three touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='1051192' first='Nydarrian' last='Allen'] Hillcrest   Allen already led the team in carries last fall while splitting time in the backfield. He needs to probably do a little more with those runs, but his 655 yards last fall tell us that his foundation is pretty well set for a significant jump. Let's not also pretend that Hillcrest was tinkering with other parts of the offense, as well. This offseason, everything should start getting even more buttoned up for 2026.

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout. This deal will be good throughout the entirety of the Winter Rankings cycle.