Elite Eight: Top 8 Returning Rushing Yard Leaders in 2026

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.   Now that we are well into the offseason, I can take a look ahead at some of the top statistical producers who will be back for the 2026 season.   The next group I'm looking at is the rushing leaders! Here are the top eight rushing yards leaders who will be back next fall.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   1. 1,866 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] ('27), Omaha Westside - 5'8" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/TayTayjenkins_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@TayTayjenkins_)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='1085158' first='TayTay' last='Jenkins'] continues his dominant run as one of the top backs in the state. Jenkins was huge for the Westside offense as he racked up 1,866 yards and 28 touchdowns on 214 carries. Jenkins was also very useful in the passing game, hauling in 17 catches for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Since emerging as a sophomore, TayTay has been one of the more explosive players in the state with top-tier burst, twitch, and acceleration. He is very elusive with quick feet that allow him to maneuver in tight quarters and can make subtle, sharp cuts to hit opening gaps. Homerun hitter if you let him find daylight— great breakaway speed.</li> </ul>    2. 1,524 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1085632' first='Levi' last='Walker'] ('27), Plattsmouth - 5'10" 180 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/leviwalker_12" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@leviwalker_12)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1085632' first='Levi' last='Walker'] continued the momentum of a breakout sophomore campaign with an even bigger junior season. Walker carried the ball 208 times for 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns. Levi is a well-rounded runner who combines speed and physicality, showing he can run around you or dish out some contact to fight for more yards. Walker's patience also stands out as he calmly allows for his blocks to set up in front of him before exploding through them. Great contact balance, strong base, and speedy footwork.</li> </ul>    3T. 1,490 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='2064220' first='Kaleb' last='Fenner'] ('28), Yutan - 5'9" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/kaleb_fenner23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@kaleb_fenner23)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2064220' first='Kaleb' last='Fenner'] erupted onto our radar here after an electric 2025 season. With only 148 carries, Kaleb maximized every rep with 1,490 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 10.1 yards per carry. Kaleb is a physical back who can chew up a defense's will with tough runs down the middle while also flashing the potential to break off a big play whenever he gets the ball. Very difficult to bring him down on initial contact or to track him down once he's hit the open field.</li> </ul>    3T. 1,490 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1297769' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] ('27), Ord - QB - 6'1" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/JordanWill78552" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@JordanWill78552)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Ord's [player_tooltip player_id='1297769' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] turned in another electric season in which he finished in the 1,000-passing-yard and 1,000-rushing-yard club. Jordan accumulated 1,282 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air and 1,490 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground. My biggest takeaway from Jordan is that he is a flat-out gamer who possesses the toughness to shoulder a heavy workload with 211 carries and 139 pass attempts on the season. Another thing that impressed me about Williams is that he seemed to turn it up a notch when the moment gets brighter, as shown with some of his stat lines from the backend of the regular season and postseason.</li> </ul>   5. 1,433 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1700707' first='Rhys' last='Dorcey'] ('27), Sidney - 6'1" 195 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/DorceyRhys" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@DorceyRhys)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>The Sidney Red Raiders just seem to reload with bruising backs that are near-locks to crack the 1,000-yard rushing mark, as was the case this year with the breakout season of [player_tooltip player_id='1700707' first='Rhys' last='Dorcey']. Dorcey had a solid workload as he carried the ball 225 times for 1,433 yards and 26 touchdowns. Dorcey also flashed as a receiver out of the backfield with six receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Rhys is a strong, bruising RB with solid size for the next level at 6'1" and 195 pounds that can barrel through the hearts of defenses. Dorcey's vision and ability to identify open lanes let him work through traffic and find ways to bounce runs to the outside. Solid burst and good acceleration in the open field. </li> </ul>    6. 1,240 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1701609' first='Trini' last='Trejo'] ('27), Alliance - <a href="https://x.com/Trini_trejo5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Trini_trejo5)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Don't overlook Alliance's [player_tooltip player_id='1701609' first='Trini' last='Trejo'], who continues to be a workhorse for the Bulldogs with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Trejo recorded 199 carries for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior campaign. Despite not being the biggest back out there, Trini lives up to Alliance's bulldog mascot, as he's got a ton of "dog" in him, with a downhill running style that always seeks contact. Trini displays excellent balance as he absorbs contact and has the strength to fight off would-be tacklers with a mean stiff arm or a shoulder to the chest. He's not only downhill, as Trini can hit quick cuts to find open lanes where he can then show off his burst to explode for a big gain.</li> </ul>    7. 1,156 yards - [player_tooltip player_id='1085898' first='Wyatt' last='Pollet'] ('28), Aurora - QB - <a href="https://x.com/Wyattpollet5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Wyattpollet5)</a>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1085898' first='Wyatt' last='Pollet'] emerged as one of the top dual-threats in his class in his first season with the Aurora Huskies. Wyatt was one of the very few players to reach the 1,000-1,000 yards mark in passing and rushing. Pollet recorded 1,167 passing yards, 1,156 rushing yards, nine passing touchdowns, and nine rushing touchdowns. Pollet does a great job running the QB option, displaying good instincts for deciding when to pull the ball and take off himself. Wyatt's running ability also translates to his ability to extend plays outside of the pocket with his legs. Sneaky wiggle to his running that can make defenders miss in the open field. </li> </ul>    8. 1,155 yards - Zane Wittstruck ('28), Milford   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Milford's Zane Wittstruck is another player who is fresh to my radar after emerging onto the scene with a big sophomore year. Zane was a workhorse with 241 carries for 1,155 yards and five touchdowns. On tape, Zane shows some nice burst out of his stance and when hitting his hole. He plays with good pad level, which makes him hard to bring down on initial contact. </li> </ul>    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Make sure to follow @PRZ_OscarG for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.

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