Spring Watchlist: 2027 Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Off-season training and weight-room activities are ongoing. Spring football and college camps are approaching. This report evaluates their 2025 season and current off-season development, and highlights ten running backs from the class of 2027 to watch this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1926259"],"_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-698761f6696a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1926259' first='Ja'Vion' last='Walker'] is a prospect to add to the recruiting board. Walker is a threat on the ground and through the air. He displays good contact balance, leg drive, and lower-body strength, as he can absorb contact and break tackles. He showcases a quick first step, allowing him to burst through tackles and attack upfield quickly. His route tree is extensive compared to others, and he can get upfield quickly post-catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JaVionWalker08/status/1992756205341532194?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JaVionWalker08/status/1992756205341532194?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1640698"],"_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-698761f66973c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1640698' first='Xander' last='Burke'] is a physical presence in all phases. He plays both running back and H-back, with some lining up at tight end. He displays solid post-snap vision to identify running lanes. Burke showcases a solid burst to attack the hole and get into the second level. He demonstrates good contact balance and leg drive to break tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Burke_Xander22/status/1978581571343954290?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Burke_Xander22/status/1978581571343954290?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1525124"],"_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-698761f6697a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1525124' first='Caden' last='Whitaker'] is a running back prospect you don't want to miss on. He's expected to rise in our spring update. Whitaker displays solid contact balance, leg drive, and lower body strength to break through tackles. He's patient post-snap with a solid burst upfield. Overall, he can run both gap and zone schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/c2de2n/status/2005665798539686126?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/c2de2n/status/2005665798539686126?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1923552"],"_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-698761f669804"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1923552' first='Reed' last='McAllister'] continues to fly under the radar, but he can play at the next level. He's a strong gap runner with solid post-snap vision. He's patient when locating running lanes and will follow lead blockers. McAllister displays good contact balance and leg drive to break through arm tackles. He's also a willing blocker in pass protection. Overall, an all-around type of running back to consider. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ReedMcallister9/status/1991185025421685240?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ReedMcallister9/status/1991185025421685240?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1861211"],"_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-698761f669864"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1861211' first='Bre'lan' last='Criswell'] is a prospect we saw in person at our January showcase. He's one of the more fluid and athletic running backs in the class. He can evade early penetration due to his good contact balance, lateral quickness, COD, and low center of gravity. He showcases solid post-snap vision, attacking running lanes quickly and locating cutback lanes. Overall, he can be a threat in the receiving game as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrelanCriswell2/status/1997341958696546572?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrelanCriswell2/status/1997341958696546572?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORE TO WATCH</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='789982' first='Micah' last='Gamble'] (Fordyce)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1852400' first='Mason' last='Woods'] (Gosnell)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1926077' first='Isaiah' last='Howell'] (Sylvan Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1329057' first='Drake' last='Nock'] (Fayetteville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1955915' first='Peter' last='Ohman'] (Lakeside)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->