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Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know

Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
Photo: Prep Redzone
Matt DeBary
Matt DeBary January 8, 2026 @ 10:41 AM
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In this article:

Joshua Chandler
Joshua Chandler 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH | 2028
GA
Javaris Hurt
Javaris Hurt 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB | 2028
GA
Jordan McNeil
Jordan McNeil 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB | 2028
GA
Tavares Hooks
Tavares Hooks 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB | 2028
GA
Mark Durden III
Mark Durden III 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB | 2028
GA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper 2028 running backs are fresh off fantastic sophomore seasons...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2099274"],"_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-695bdedf40429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A South Georgia back bound for a breakout junior season in 2026, McNeil showed plenty of talent and potential as a sophomore last season for one of the very best programs in the country. The speedy, physical back helped carry the load for the powerful Thomas County Central offense, giving them big-play ability off the bench. In a reserve role, McNeil shined just about every time he touched the ball, carrying it 59 times for 566 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 9.6 yards per carry. Look for him to be one of South Georgia's top junior rushers in the state next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2099278"],"_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-695bdedf40499"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A shifty, powerful runner who can make defenders miss in space, Hurt is also a tough runner who can muscle his way through defenders at the second level and beyond. He shows quick feet, impressive change of direction, and the potential to see some D1 offers come his way down the road. A Middle Georgia can who turned heads last fall as a sophomore, Hurt is listed at 5-foot-11 190-pounds and was one of the more productive backs in the Milledgeville and surrounding area, rushing for 1,181 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games. He averaged 8.7 yards per carry and just under 100 yards per game. He'll be an easy addition to the next 2028 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2048654"],"_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-695bdedf404fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A slippery back who runs with impressive balance, Hooks does a great job of keeping his feet underneath him after initial contact. He brings above-average speed, quickness, toughness, and was another impressive running back from the Milledgeville area. The Baldwin High standout was one of the region's top running backs last season and did it as a sophomore. The young runner ran for 710 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, hitting the 100-yard mark twice. He also caught 16 passes for 121 yards and two more scores. Look for Hooks to have an even bigger season as a junior in 2026 with the potential to the see his recruitment pick up down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1992099"],"_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-695bdedf40544"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A do-it-all athlete who shined in all phases of the game last year as a sophomore, Durden may play in the secondary at the next level, but he also showed this fall that he's one of Middle Georgia's top small-town rushers from the 2025 season. Another speedy, elusive back who can be tough to catch in the open field, Durden ran for an impressive 606 yards on just 73 carries with six touchdowns. He's a natural athlete with quick feet, vision, and the ability to run for a. big gain anytime he has the ball. He averaged an impressive 8.3 yards per carry and should see more carries come his way next year as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2099310"],"_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-695bdedf40589"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another do-it-all sophomore who helped lead his Bowdon team to another state championship, Chandler ran like a seasoned veteran last year as a sophomore, slipping and sliding through defenders with ease while also bringing a physical style of play that allows him to break tackles for tough yards. The West Georgia back ran for 580 yards and five touchdowns on just 63 carries for an impressive average of 9.2 yards per carry. When he was involved in the offense, good things happened. He ran for at least 100 yards in three of his final four games including one game over the 200 yard mark. Look for him to be one of the region's best backs next season as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

These sleeper 2028 running backs are fresh off fantastic sophomore seasons...

Jordan McNeil

Jordan McNeil

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 185
POS RB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Jordan
McNeil RB
Class
2028
Height
5'11"
Weight
185
HS
Thomas County Central
|
GA
Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
A South Georgia back bound for a breakout junior season in 2026, McNeil showed plenty of talent and...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Jordan McNeil

State: Georgia
School: Thomas County Central
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Javaris Hurt

Javaris Hurt

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 190
POS RB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Javaris
Hurt RB
Class
2028
Height
5'11"
Weight
190
HS
John Milledge
|
GA
Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
A shifty, powerful runner who can make defenders miss in space, Hurt is also a tough runner who...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Javaris Hurt

State: Georgia
School: John Milledge
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Tavares Hooks

Tavares Hooks

GA
RB
HEIGHT 5'8"
WEIGHT 165
POS RB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Tavares
Hooks RB
Class
2028
Height
5'8"
Weight
165
HS
Baldwin
|
GA
Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
A slippery back who runs with impressive balance, Hooks does a great job of keeping his feet underneath...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Tavares Hooks

State: Georgia
School: Baldwin
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Mark Durden III

Mark Durden III

GA
DB
HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 160
POS DB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Mark
Durden III DB
Class
2028
Height
5'10"
Weight
160
HS
Jeff Davis
|
GA
Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
A do-it-all athlete who shined in all phases of the game last year as a sophomore, Durden may...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Mark Durden III

State: Georgia
School: Jeff Davis
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Joshua Chandler

Joshua Chandler

HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 180
POS ATH
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Joshua
Chandler ATH
Class
2028
Height
5'10"
Weight
180
HS
Bowdon
|
GA
Sleeper 2028 Running Backs To Know
Another do-it-all sophomore who helped lead his Bowdon team to another state championship, Chandler ran like a seasoned...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Joshua Chandler

State: Georgia
School: Bowdon
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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