Scouting the Leading 2027 Rushers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're deep into offseason mode, with plenty of pieces about <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/top-5-impact-transfers-quarterback/">transfers</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/sneak-peek-early-prep-redzone-exposure-camp-primer/">offseason camps</a>, and even the future of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/32-future-nfl-draft-picks-from-north-carolina/">NFL Draft</a>. Now we're starting to look at the top returning statistical leaders. Here at Prep Redzone, we're about more than reading leaderboards, so in this piece, we're scouting the top five returners in terms of rushing yardage. Where do they win, and what do they bring to the table?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*Save $10 on any <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Prep Redzone Exposure Camp</a> with promo code WillHelms10*</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 2027 Running Backs Led the State in Rushing?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out our other recent scouting pieces:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/scouting-the-leading-2027-passers/">QBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1895409"],"_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-69efb54822133"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pearson is a smaller back with plenty of explosive qualities. He runs with excellent pad level, gets downhill in a hurry, and he's shown an excellent jump cut, especially at the second level. He doesn't waste much time dancing in the backfield, which is part of the reason he's able to break off so many big runs. Probably his best attribute is his ability to avoid quality contact. When met in the hole, he's usually able to slide out of the way, turning potential big hits into arm tackles that he can run through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2183865"],"_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-69efb54822208"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan is on the smaller side, but he's excellent at finding space and avoiding hits. He's rather run around somebody than through them, and that suits him well, as it allows him to pick up an extra yard or two on every carry. He was a workhorse for Gates County, with 260 carries across 11 games, and we think that will be a trend that continues during his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290996"],"_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-69efb548222a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clem is one of our top small-school prospects in the class, regardless of position. He's a bigger back with plenty of strength and explosion in his legs, and that shows up on tape. He had plenty of big runs for Murphy last season, rushing for over 1,700 yards for the second-straight year, this time on 35 fewer carries. His burst is better than his long speed, but he still has the burners to break away from defenders and finish long runs off for touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074450"],"_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-69efb54822341"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins is a compact runner with plenty of strength to run through would-be tacklers. After only earning a handful of touches as a sophomore, he broke out as a junior, with nearly 1,700 yards on 267 carries. He was the focal point of the Hickory offense, and teams still struggled to stop him. His vision and burst helped him avoid negative plays and turn short runs into chunk plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1705645"],"_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-69efb548223d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boucher's vision is among the best in the class, as he's able to find and squeeze through holes most other guys can't. He was especially valuable in the red zone, as he still thrived when the field shrank, and more defenders entered the box. He was important to his team's success, as Croatan had one of its best seasons in school history behind Boucher's 1,700 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. He was also one of the most successful backs in the state as a pass-catcher, with over 500 receiving yards on 40 receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>It's camp season, and we're coming to Charlotte on May 1 for our PRZ Exposure Camp under the lights on a Friday night. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Secure your spot</a> and use promo code WillHelms10 at checkout for $10 off. Think we missed someone? DM me on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) with film.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->