Scouting the Top 2027 Prospects: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we always cover younger classes, we've officially turned the page on the 2026 class to focus exclusively on the classes of 2027-2030. That means that the players who just finished their junior seasons are now in the spotlight. The new 2027 rankings will be released later this month. For the top prospects, extreme upward movement is difficult (they're already too high to move up enough to be considered "stock-risers"), so we're going to introduce you to those elite players, what they do best, and why they'll likely be playing for Power Four schools in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scouting the Top 2027 Running Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The very top of the 2027 class is so inundated with defensive talent that there are few skill players at the top, but there are several running backs in the middle-to-lower Power Four range, with six backs ranked between 32 and 50. Could one (or more) of them make a move into the upper echelon of the rankings?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378957"],"_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-695c283f29e4c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown is the top all-around back in our rankings, a guy who can pick up tough yards, but also has the breakaway speed to pick up chunk plays and outrun the second level of the defense. His pass protection and ability out of the backfield are what separate him, giving him three-down potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["653512"],"_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-695c283f29f20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pone has split carries with a Power Four signee for multiple seasons, so I'm interested to see what happens when he takes over as the lead back in 2026. He's an excellent pass-catcher and was extremely efficient as a runner in 2025, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1084981"],"_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-695c283f29fbd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Magwood has steadily climbed our rankings since we first saw him before his freshman season. He's gained about 35 pounds since that time, while maintaining the same speed and acceleration that caught our eyes years ago. This season, he was a true two-way player for the first time in his career, and as a senior, we think he can hit the 1,000-yard mark that he's just missed in two of the last three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1675598"],"_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-695c283f2a054"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phillips can absolutely fly, as one of the fastest running backs we've scouted over the past decade from North Carolina. He's twitchy in the open field and continues to improve his vision and pass protection. He's a home run waiting to happen, and some lucky Power Four team is going to be quite happy with his ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378966"],"_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-695c283f2a0e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lindsay is a smaller back, but has fantastic vision, especially on zone scheme runs. He's able to wait patiently for a hole to develop, then hit it at full speed. Able to run through arm tackles, he keeps a low center of gravity and pad level, making himself difficult to square up. As a junior, he showed more explosion, especially as a receiver out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other FBS Running Back Prospects</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1290996' first='Cameron' last='Clem']</strong>, Murphy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1634632' first='Jaden' last='Hartsfield']</strong>, Southern Nash</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607889' first='Emory' last='McClain Jr'].</strong>, West Charlotte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106564' first='Calvin' last='Lacewell']</strong>, Lakewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1320897' first='Kaleb' last='Vines']</strong>, Providence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, reevaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.</em><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->