The Film Room: TN2027 Running Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diving back into the film lab, here we go in-depth with five guys from the running back position that present college level abilities as well as prospects that should be added to our new TN2027 rankings. A few guys here are destined for the P4 or D1 level while a few others have the abilities to get there as well but need further development. </h2>     <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/player-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2027&position%5B%5D=RB&commitment=">#TN2027 Running Back Database</a>   ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103496' first='Asa' last='Barnes'] - Westview   Strengths: Coming off winning a state title with his Westview team, Barnes heads into the off-season as one of the top running back prospects from our TN2027 class that brings a great combination of athleticism, size and speed to the playing field. The first thing you like about this West Tennessee talent is his size and physical makeup. Barnes is well put together (6'0 205) with broad shoulders and powerful legs that allows him to run through tackles. He keeps those knees up and legs churning ahead while more times than not falling forward on his runs. The Chargers ball carrier runs well, showing enough separating speed to be a home run threat while also having the power to grind out short yard gains. One of his biggest traits with the ball in his hands is his vision. Barnes reads the lanes well, usually finding the right path to take. Another strong trait worth mentioning is his receiving skills. Barnes is one of the best pass catching running backs we have from this class that can be utilized in a variety of ways. I see pass protecting upside as well with Barnes. He does need to develop further in that area but the potential is certainly there.    Needed Development: While Barnes is a good athlete, I think he can increase his overall athleticism further and become an even more dangerous threat. At times, the Chargers running back can run a little high, so working on his lower half agility may allow that to stop while making it easier to break through tackles. Increasing his speed is another area I can see that needs more work. While Barnes does run well, adding more explosion and speed to his bag would take his game to another level. As mentioned above, I see pass blocking potential with Barnes but that's something he will work on more as he gets into the college ranks.    College Potential: Holding 20 plus offers in-hand, Barnes is a definite Power Four, D1 guy that will have his choice of top programs to choose from. The Chargers running back has a great combination of athleticism, power and speed that should flourish on the college stage with continued work in the weight room and on the playing field. Barnes has the opportunity to become a three down back due to his running, ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his pass protecting upside. I don't think Barnes has touched his maximum potential yet, so the best football days could be ahead for this West Tennessee ball carrier.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1567420' first='Damillyan' last='Porter'] - Oak Ridge   Strengths: This Knoxville area rising senior may prove to be one of the bigger stock risers from his running back position throughout the coming off-season. Porter is one of my personal favorites when going over his film because I love the way he runs the ball with a no non-sense attitude and a unique feel for finding the right running lanes. The Wildcats ball carrier is physically well put together with broad shoulders and a powerful lower base. Opposing defenders have a hard time bringing Porter down due to his strength but also because of his elusive running style. Some of the best vision from our TN2027 running back class comes from Porter. When you turn on his film, you see a guy that reads the field well, finding the right lanes to take and certain paths that lead him to the end zone. Porter isn't a blazer but runs well enough to separate from defenders, especially due to his excellent footwork and vision. I see value as well in the passing game with Porter. He has the build to hold up well in pass protection while also having the athleticism to be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/dporter.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1567416" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure>   Needed Development: If Porter can increase his long speed, I could see the Cats ball carrier rising up the ranks and developing into a Power Four prospect. I think his overall speed and initial quickness is what may hold back some coaches from getting on board. If Porter can increase his foot speed, I think he becomes a much more valuable prospect, especially with his upside in the pass game. Enhancing his lower half agility I think would do wonders for his game as well. Porter isn't a stiff runner but could become more fluid with added agility.    College Potential: Like I mentioned above, I'm a big believer in the upside with Porter. I think if he can develop and work on his game much further this off-season, the Cats running back can work his way into a potential Power Four guy. He is already a D1 caliber prospect, especially with UConn getting on board with him recently. It will be interesting to see where he takes his game over the next few months and into his senior season as Porter could work his way into the “Top Five” running back prospects for our rising senior class.    - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1841394' first='Zachery' last='Cartwright'] - Green Hill    Strengths: When you turn on the film, you may see an undersized guy but Cartwright plays much bigger with a unique feel for finding open space. The Hawks running back is a shifty runner with excellent vision that uses his quick feet to work through the line and get himself into the open field. Cartwright is a strong, compact guy with nice balance to his running along with a good initial burst. Defenders have a hard time grasping onto Cartwright due to his size as well as his strong upper body and lower base. His size allows him to get into small creases within the defense and slip out for positive gains. The speed is good enough as well to breakaway from the defense and continue churning his way down field. Cartwright runs hard, showing want-to and desire. This is a competitor that will take a hit and keep his legs moving towards earning positive yards. Being the fact that Cartwright plays hard, I could see him becoming a solid pass protector over time as well as developing his pass catching as well.    Needed Development: There is nothing Cartwright can do about getting taller, unless God blesses him in that area over the next year but what the Hawks running back can do is increase his burst and overall speed. Cartwright runs well but could boost his speed further and make himself more dangerous in the open field. Becoming more explosive is something else Cartwright can increase further as well. Working on his pass protection would make the Hawks' ball carrier more valuable in the eyes of college coaches while also furthering his ability in the pass game.    College Potential: As things sit right now headed into the off-season months, Cartwright could be a fringe D1 guy but that depends on what he does to develop himself further. Being undersized as he is, starting his college career on the FCS or D2 level seems more feasible right now but I like how Cartwright performs and runs as well as  his potential on the next level. He is coming off a highly productive junior year and if Cartwright can perform well during camps this summer and string together another strong campaign in the Fall, getting to the FCS is very possible.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/zcartwright-crop-700x460-1769367573.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2112697" style="aspect-ratio:1.5251006142766363;width:330px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1576799' first='Braydon' last='Weldon'] - Jackson South-Side   Strengths: Going through my scouting work, Weldon has popped off the page to me as possibly one of the bigger hidden gem running backs coming out of the TN2027 recruiting class. The Hawks rising senior stands roughly 5 '10, 185 pounds with a nice combination of power and speed that present problems for opposing defenses. Weldon gets out of the blocks fast, showing a nice initial burst and enough strength to break through arm tackles. Athleticism, agility and speed are three traits that stand out about Weldon when looking over his film. A lot of clips from the Hawks rising senior is seen at receiver, which speaks towards his athletic profile but for college, running back is his future. Once the ball hits his hands, Weldon bursts through the line quickly then turns on the speed to break away from defenders. He is an elusive runner with quick feet that finds open space. Weldon can see the field well while running fast and eluding would-be tacklers. Seeing that Weldon spends time out wide catching passes, the Hawks running back displays upside catching the ball out of the backfield, which is a valuable trait for the college game.    Needed Development: For this West Tennessee talent to push his game to new heights, Weldon must hit the training table and weight room to get bigger. Now he isn't lacking decent size at 185 pounds but to make himself more presentable to college coaches, adding in more weight and forming his body further will help his cause a lot. I think spending more time during the off-season training at the running back position will help his game as well. Just understanding the small details in the backfield should increase his game and make his performances more appealing.    College Potential: I can see a college coaching staff falling for Weldon and offering him an opportunity to compete on the D1 level but I think more work must be done for him to get there. I definitely think he is a worthy FCS guy that could watch his stock take off with strong performances during the off-season months and camp season. I fully expect D2, NAIA schools to come calling at some point but Weldon is better than that and someone to watch as a stock riser that gets onto the FCS radar at some point in time.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/bweldon2-crop-663x435-1769367698.jpeg?w=662" alt="" class="wp-image-2112699" style="aspect-ratio:1.5253502816697964;width:357px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    ‘27 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1106194' first='Kaden' last='McCrory'] - Mt. Pleasant   Strengths: A multi-year starter that has steadily gotten better throughout his high school career, McCrory is a big dude with the ball in his hands that can get into the open field and turn on the burners. This Mid-Tennessee talent isn't the fastest but he has enough speed combined with his size to become a problem for the opposition. McCrory shows good vision along with the ability to elude defenders. He is a deceptive athlete that shows a good feel for finding the right running lanes. Once the ball finds his hands, the Tigers running back hits the hole hard without hesitation and tacklers usually have a hard time grasping onto him. The Tigers rising senior is a big bodied guy that displays the potential to become a good short yardage back over time. He has the physical makeup and overall size to be a threat in the red zone, near the goal line. Another area that stands out about McCrory is his upside in the passing game. He shows the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield while also having the physical size to become serviceable with his pass protection.    Needed Development: The biggest areas of needed improvement this off-season for McCrory is his athleticism, explosion and overall speed. The Tigers ball carrier is solid athletically but could enhance that area significantly and help his game move forward. That also includes his explosive running and speed.  McCrory tends to run a little high, so boosting his lower half bend and agility would help change that. Continuing to work his receiving and pass blocking would help his overall stock as well. Being multi-dimensional would help McCrory become a more valuable prospect for the next level.    College Potential: Being that McCrory comes from a small town program and he won't face the best competition throughout his senior year, starting his college career on the D2, NAIA level seems to be his starting path. Could the Tigers running back develop himself further and turn into an FCS level guy, yes I think it's possible but McCrory must get on the field this off-season and push his game to new levels. If he can do that while performing well during college camps, McCrory might find a strong opportunity to prove his worth on the FCS playing field.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/kmccrory.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2112701" style="width:259px;height:auto" /></figure>