Scouting The Top Running Backs in Division II-A

Spring practice is right around the corner, and a lot of prospects around the state of Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With a lot of the transfer portal calmed down, for now, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.   Next in this series, I'll discuss Division II-A, beginning with running backs. Here's a scouting report of my top five tailbacks in DII-A.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-12-58-51-PM-crop-1136x746-1771700562.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2133771" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: MTCS RB [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] – Middle Tennessee Christian School   [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] is likely the top returning running back in Division II-A, with a solid case to be a top 10 tailback overall in Tennessee. He's been highly productive both seasons at MTCS, rushing for 2,141 yards on 7.5 yards per carry with 21 total touchdowns. Bangura is on the smaller side, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 185 pounds, but he is an absolute stud.   The rising junior took that next step this past season, becoming a more polished runner. He has always been elusive, speedy and hard to bring down, but his vision and patience were better in 2025. Not to say it wasn't good; he just improved in those areas, making him a much more dangerous runner between and outside the tackles.   Bangura needs to grow more to fully unlock his potential, but he's proven to be one of the most shifty and elusive players in the state. Watch for him to have another standout season in 2026.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-1-05-09-PM-crop-613x403-1771700792.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-2133779" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: NCS RB [player_tooltip player_id='1588776' first='Hudson' last='Smith'] during a game. </figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1588776' first='Hudson' last='Smith'] – Nashville Christian School   [player_tooltip player_id='1588776' first='Hudson' last='Smith'] from Nashville Christian is an interesting case. He was used last season as the chess piece that moved around the field and could play multiple positions. But with TJ Ward graduating, it looks like they will move Smith into that full-time running back role.   He saw minimal time in the backfield last season, but the 2028 prospect was highly productive and efficient when used. Smith carried the rock just 15 times, but for 131 yards (8.7 YPC) and three scores. He offers solid size for his age, standing 6-foot and weighing 180 pounds with a well-built frame that allows him to get physical with defenders.   Smith is a track guy, so he has excellent speed and burst, giving him that do-it-all ability. He can beat you in a footrace or lower his shoulder and fight for extra yardage. With him also seeing a fair amount of time at receiver, he has good hands, making him a threat out of the backfield.   We still have a while until the season starts, but if they make this move official, the rising junior will be a big-time playmaker for the two-time defending state champions.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-1-08-54-PM-crop-1034x679-1771701793.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2133793" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: DCA RB [player_tooltip player_id='2112007' first='King' last='Gardner'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2112007' first='King' last='Gardner'] – Donelson Christian Academy   Donelson Christian Academy is a run-heavy team with a pair of standout tailbacks, the first being [player_tooltip player_id='2112007' first='King' last='Gardner']. The 2027 prospect is a back-to-back 1,000-yard runner for the Wildcats, including last season, where he ran for 1,090 yards and nine scores on 7.8 yards per carry.   He's a smaller player, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 165 pounds, but he has excellent skills and the athleticism to dominate this classification.   Gardner is essentially a wide receiver, as he even lines up there frequently, but has the ball skills to play both positions. His versatility gives DCA a lethal weapon that can be used in quite literally every play and formation imaginable.   The rising senior is extremely quick, offers good vision, has excellent burst and even some sneaky power to fight for extra yardage after contact.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-1-09-45-PM-crop-1320x867-1771701923.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2133795" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: DCA RB Riley Biddle during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2027 Riley Biddle – Donelson Christian Academy   Riley Biddle is the other piece of this elite Donelson Christian run game. He carried the ball 150 times for 1,069 yards and 12 touchdowns. The rising senior is a compact player, standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 165 pounds, but he's well-built and produces at a high level.   He's a similar player to his co-running back, possessing excellent speed and elusiveness. While they're both more speedy players, Biddle has a thicker frame and is more physical, allowing him to lower his shoulder.   The 2027 prospect is an excellent do-it-all back with a final year of high school ball to prove himself to colleges.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Photo-Feb-21-2026-1-12-48-PM-crop-1195x785-1771702048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2133799" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: CCS RB [player_tooltip player_id='1621991' first='Maurice' last='Smith']. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1621991' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] – Concord Christian School   [player_tooltip player_id='1621991' first='Maurice' last='Smith'] for Concord Christian is coming off a terrific freshman season, where he ran for 1,185 yards and 15 touchdowns on 8.1 yards per carry. He has good size for a 2029 prospect, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds in a somewhat filled-out frame.   I just recently came across this star tailback, but I loved his film. He's highly elusive and showcases plus vision, but is a stronger player who can run through defenders as well. Smith is a solid blocker and plays with a high motor, making him a valuable player for CCS.   The rising sophomore has some growing to do. But once he makes the necessary strides, he will be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Spring practice is right around the corner, and a lot of prospects around the state of Tennessee have emerged and etched their names as stars in their respective classifications. With a lot of the transfer portal calmed down, for now, I'm scouting the top players at each position in each class.