2027 Running Backs Trending Towards 1,000 Yards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than 20 running backs in New Mexico rushed for 1,000+ yards in 2025. Others came close. Who's ready to break through and reach the millennium mark in 2026? Here are 6 2027 running backs we believe will get there next season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604956' first='Jagger' last='Casillas'], Los Lunas</strong>: Casillias has been a major contributor to the Los Lunas offense since he was a sophomore in 2024. That season, he rushed for over 700 yards and 4 TD. As a junior in 2025, he increased his rushing total to 775 yards in just 9 games. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and scored 11 TD on the ground. If he stays healthy, he should get to 1,000 yards for the Tigers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606048' first='Xander' last='Chavez'], Legacy Academy</strong>: Chavez proved to be a reliable running back for the Silverbacks in 2025. He carried 130 times for 871 yards and 13 D. The highlight was his 148-yard, 4 TD performance against Loving in the 2A quarterfinals. His season high in carries was 26. He should develop into a weekly 15-to-20 carry RB. If he does that, he'll get to 1,000 yards. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104442' first='Demarcus' last='Hill']/[player_tooltip player_id='1604984' first='Shamus' last='Wright'], Hobbs</strong>: Could Hobbs have TWO 1,000-yard rushers at running back in 2026? Injuries kept Wright from reaching the 1,000-yard mark in 2025 as he appeared in just eight of the Eagles' 12 games. Still, he rushed for over 600 yards for the second consecutive season. Hill filled in nicely in Wright's absence and actually finished as the Eagles' second leading rusher with 767 yards behind dynamic dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1605057' first='Junior' last='Medrano']. Hobbs could have the best running game in New Mexico in 2026. &nbsp;obbs might have the best runn obbs' leading rusher with &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1423739' first='D'Angelo' last='Mitchell'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Mitchell rushed for nearly 800 yards and 10 TD on 129 yards for the Hawks in 2025 despite missing two games, an increase of over 300 yards from his sophomore season. Volcano Vista should have a dynamic ground game in 2026 with Mitchell and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605046' first='Zachary' last='Perez-Verdeja'], Valley</strong>: Perez-Verdeja made the leap to 772 yards rushing in 2025 as Valley's No. 1 running back, emerging as one of the most underrated ball carriers in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Surpassing 1,000 yards is the next step in his progression. With Valley moving to Class 4A and numerous young, talented players on the roster, the Vikings should contend for a high seed in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/gvFSlumnUx">pic.twitter.com/gvFSlumnUx</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2104442' first='Demarcus' last='Hill'] (@Demarcusho23) <a href="https://twitter.com/Demarcusho23/status/1998592260339020143?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->