2027 Running Backs Up Next

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We take a look at some of the top returning running back in the 2027 class that are up next on the football recruiting landscape that should have big off seasons, and regular seasons, and put up some big senior seasons that you should know about from around the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198130' first='Cannon' last='Cruse'] I 6'0"195 I KC St. Pius X I<br>- A physical, downhill‑oriented 2027 running back with good vision, quick feet, excellent balance through contact, who consistently produces positive yardage. Has good burst and acceleration, and hits open lanes in a hurry. Runs with a low center of gravity, making him difficult to tackle cleanly. Strong balance and body control through contact. Has good lateral quickness and can make people miss. Not a burner, but is football fast and tough to catch when he hits top speed. Had 1,225 total yards 15 touchdowns as a junior even though he missed two games due to injury. Look for a big senior season in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Burleson</strong> I 5'9" 190 I Ft. Zumwalt North I<br>- An explosive and physical running back with great strength, good speed, legit burst, excellent contact balance, and big‑play ability both inside and outside the tackles. Runs with toughness and is capable of creating in tight spaces, hitting explosive plays in the open field, and finishes his runs with authority. Strong lower‑body power. Runs behind his pads and absorbs contact extremely well, and is able to move a crowd of tacklers. Can be a workhorse type back. Good footwork and vision. Averaged 9.2 yards a carry as a junior on 92 carries for 844 yards and 16 touchdowns. A real sleeper for colleges to take a good look at. Will excel on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1131009' first='Jaylon' last='Hampton'] I 5'7" 175 I Jackson I<br>- An explosive, twitchy, and highly talented senior-to-be all-purpose running back who brings a true big‑play offensive threat, both as a runner and receiver. Jaylon is fast, elusive, and capable of turning routine touches into chunk plays. Elite caliber quickness, and dangerous stop-start acceleration on a dime. Can go from 0 to 60 in a hurry. Doesn't need a lot of space or wide open lane as he can hit a crease and go the distance. Very good lateral agility and change‑of‑direction ability. Understands how to use angles against faster defenders who can catch up to him. Runs like a bigger back in short yardage situations, and runs with forward lean and finishes showing good strength. Will be a four year starter come this fall. Ran for 1,300 yards and 27 touchdowns. Also had 22 catches for 411 yards and 3 more scores as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2048709' first='Cody' last='Shaver'] I 5'11" 190 I Festus St. Pius X I <br>- A physical, downhill‑oriented running back who brings toughness, consistency, and a high‑motor running style as a workhorse type back in his team's offense. He has excellent balance, is strong, and has he ability to churn out yards between the tackles. Cody is a reliable, durable runner who embraces physicality and secures the ball well with his style of running. Has good vision and reads his blocks well and understands how have patience and follow them finding the open space to hit when it develops. Uses a quick first step and nice acceleration, with the ability to hit second gear when he clears the first level. Had a monster 3,000 yard rushing season as a junior, with 32 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1590235' first='Lee' last='White'] I 5'10" 180 I St. Charles West I<br>- And explosive back with very good speed, and quick acceleration, who brings a blend of physicality, toughness and quickness to his game that makes him an intriguing under-the-radar running back that colleges need to take a hard look at. Very good burst and accelerates in a hurry. Strong lateral agility and ability to redirect without losing speed. Runs with a sense of urgency, hits the lanes quickly and takes off. Executes jump‑cuts and one‑cut moves with fluidity. Makes defenders miss. Dangerous in space. Ran for almost 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. Look for a big senior season on the horizon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->