4A Rushing Leaders Running It Back in 2026

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The 4A division brings a strong group of returning running backs in 2026. Here's a look at the top rushing leaders looking to lead the division again.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603432"],"_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-69d8d6896a0da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rosenthal led the state in rushing as a junior taking 288 carries for 2,106 yards and 24 touchdowns. 5'11” 205 lbs. he's highly productive and proves he can be a workhorse as a three down back. Good mix of speed and power while displaying good vision and patience finding an open running lane. Decisive when he attacks the gap being able stick his foot in the ground and get north/south with speed. Demonstrates that he can break through contact at the first level and then burst away once in space. Sustained second gear he shows the ability to outrun pursuit angles and finish long runs in the endzone. No offers yet but will see increased recruiting attention entering the spring contact period. Listed as one of prep redzone's top rankings risers on the most recent update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RosenthalKenyon/status/1995624819967361420","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/RosenthalKenyon/status/1995624819967361420 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101850"],"_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-69d8d6896a156"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Second in the state in rushing yards with 2,086 and 21 touchdowns as a junior. Tough to stop, he applies immediate pressure to the defense by pressing the LOS quickly forcing them to be gap sound early in the play. Good natural instincts to anticipate running lanes and accelerate through. Runs with good pad level and forward lean, he's slippery in both tight spaces and the open field. Displays great balance working laterally and limiting defender's ability to square him up for a tackle. Carries a heavy workload in the Paradise Honors offense and proves he can keep the chains moving with consistent production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22163427/69686c99cc281153c14fa253' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d8d6896a313"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lucas Leist","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lee Williams","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d8d6896a3d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Break out junior season for Leist taking 189 carries for 1,449 yards and 22 touchdowns. 5'11 185 lbs. he's got an athletic frame with a good build to add weight without sacrificing mobility. Quick in the short area, he makes sudden lateral cuts to navigate traffic and tight gaps at the first level. Does a good job reading defensive flow and possesses the spatial awareness to find space naturally. His movement and footwork is instinctual being able to evade contact and locate/attack cut back lanes. Opens up his stride to build up speed once in the open field to extend gains and break away from defenders. Efficient with his touches averaging nearly eight yards per carry. Expect him to be one of the top playmakers in the 4A division again as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LucasLeist6/status/2023123258133086649","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/LucasLeist6/status/2023123258133086649 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brenner Green","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Snowflake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d8d6896a495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green is a downhill physical ball carrier at 5'11” 200 lbs. Took 189 carries for 1,290 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. He's quick footed but has a north/south running style with minimal wasted movement. Great power through contact, he runs behind his pads with good leverage and leg drive to break tackles. Finishes runs violently, lowering his shoulder to deliver contact instead of absorbing to pick up yards after initial contact. Decisive downhill burst, he hits the hole quickly and commits to his line. Possesses the toughness to anchor an offense and wear defenses down as the game progresses. Skillset could transition well to the defensive side as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrennerGreen33/status/2000603939688083822","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/BrennerGreen33/status/2000603939688083822 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Branson Brown","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Mary's","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d8d6896a53b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Branson took off midseason once he saw a consistent workload finishing with 1,277 yards and 22 touchdowns on 234 carries while scoring in every game. Displays good field vision and processing speed being able to identify leverage and anticipate how blocks will develop. Good adjustment ability as the play progresses to change direction and create his own running lane based on defensive flow. Like his variation in tempo knowing when to press the line, when to hesitate, and when to get square with burst. Runs with a low center of gravity and good body control to slip tacklers at all levels of the field. Good natural athlete that can make plays as a receiver out of the backfield to round out his skillset and make him a multi-dimensional threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19430082/68f07a4a12706e67dc5876c1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69d8d6896a563"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->