2028 Rankings Update: Tailbacks With Potential to Run Wild

Editor's note: Prep RedZone's Spring Rankings Update window means savings for you. Throughout the entirety of the cycle, you can save 40% off an annual or two-year subscription by using the offer code “Guerin40” at checkout. This will unlock all rankings and subsequent content at the discounted rate. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Get in the game here.</a>   The rising senior class is loaded at tailback.   It includes some of the most recruited players in the country with names like [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] and a plenty more. And their production can't possibly be overlooked as we creep toward the 2026 season.   We've been through enough of these cycles, though, to recognize that not paying attention to what's coming up right behind them is a bad move. The Class of 2028, with those players getting ready to finally be called upperclassmen, is chock full of ball carriers who can pound the rock, wear down defenses, move the ball downfield, get into the end zone and, yes, soften the defensive table for some pretty good passing schemes.   Collectively, this group isn't waiting around to see what it's predecessors will do.    THE LEADERS IN THE CLUBHOUSE   Our positional top five stayed identical to our Winter Rankings Cycle, and for good reason. For as much of a push as [player_tooltip player_id='1312448' first='Jovan' last='Howard'] (Westwood), [player_tooltip player_id='1817005' first='Reggie' last='Shannon'] (Sumter), [player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith'] (Midland Valley), [player_tooltip player_id='1672833' first='Trace' last='Hillian'] (Hartsville) and [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] (Christ Church) are getting, they've remained in the same spots they were before because of how much they're bringing to the table.    Smith piled up 1,262 yards and 10 scores while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Of course, the Mustangs are hoping he levels his skills up more than just the insane two-week span he had in late September/early October, when he decimated Brookland-Cayce and Airport.    Howard is full of ability he's yet to even touch yet. Once he does, the 721 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground and 10 receptions for 108 yards he tacked on might feel like a drop in the bucket. What we've seen to date is a lot of natural ability, but there's more in the tank.   Shannon is under billed in a lot of networks, but not ours. We've seen him up close and personal and if he sharing a backfield with most other quarterbacks, he wouldn't look small. On the contrary, he used a solid build to average 8.6 yards per carry, finish the season with 871 rushing yards and 12 trips to the end zone.   Martin stayed in the Overall Top 10 because an offseason isn't going to erase his 30 rushing touchdowns or 1,425 yards from last fall. It's also not going to negate his 12 receptions (for 131 yards). In total, he had 269 offensive touches as a sophomore. As he continues to physically develop, his carries may drop but his effectiveness rate should improve.    Hillian is a burner and has already established himself as one of the fastest players in the rising junior class, regardless of position. He hit the 1,000-yard mark for the season in the Red Foxes' first playoff game last fall, and he wasn't even the team's primary ball carrier.     SMALL-CLASS STANDOUTS   [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] Pelion   It's difficult to not think that Jackson won't continue to benefit from the play calling at Pelion despite a coaching change. In Matthew Bennett, the Panthers are now led by someone entrenched in the play of the line and it's overall meaning to the offense. So while Jackson pumped out 1,112 yards and nine scores in the fall, we might start to see someone cut into his carries but simultaneously an increase in his own production.   [player_tooltip player_id='1953815' first='Malachi' last='Jackson'] Clear Dot Charter    Jackson will be the Bats' biggest returning offense weapon this fall, and it's officially time to rip the Band-Aid off for the 5-foot-11, 165-pound tailback. In averaging north of 8 yards per carry and 856 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games, he showed some excellent cutting space to find open field. He also displayed a nice jump-cut ability to get into the holes in the line and had no issue with change of direction once he got into the second tier.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672927' first='Ty' last='Abrams'] Newberry   Among a handful of heirs apparent in this offense, Abrams only saw a decent workload in three games last fall. But in those three games, he put up 516 yards of offense and three scores. Pretty good, right? Now, projecting what he could do with a steady diet of carries throughout his junior season doesn't feel like all that much of a stretch. By the time Newberry hits Region III-2A play, he could be firing on all cylinders.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818281' first='Jamearion' last='Williams'] Abbeville    When Williams missed some time with a broken collarbone in the fall, it stagnated some of the 5-foot-10, 175-pound tailback's recruiting timeline. But what he's able to do on both sides of the ball is clearly there when he's healthy (he also had a forced fumble and a PBU in limited defensive snaps). And he's healthy now, evidenced by his return to the basketball court, where he was a defensive menace for the Panthers' all winter.    [player_tooltip player_id='2177574' first='Joseph' last='Morse'] King Academy    Eight-man football is often a bit quirky for the traditionalists, but there's no denying Morse's role in the Knight's high-powered offense or their undefeated state title run from last fall. The 6-foot, 200-pound bulldozer 2,018 yards and 33 touchdowns and added another touchdown receiver. He averaged 12.2 yards per carry and 183.5 yards per game. He doesn't have blazing speed, but he does know how to find a crease and destroy arm tackles.     POSSIBLE FAST RISERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1467849' first='Ryan' last='Jahn'] Wando (pictured)   Some self-reflection at the top of the program is going to be a huge boon for Jahn moving forward. The counter and power days of the last two seasons are going to fall by wayside with offensive coordinator Art Craig (of Timberland fame, most recently) incorporating more of his Wing-T approach. That means a new look for Jahn. He's going to see more outside carries to maximize his speed and will also be counted on to catch the ball out of the backfield more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1540721' first='Landyn' last='Strong'] Blythewood   It's impossible to discount what the transfer market did to Blythewood on the eve of the 2025 football season last fall. And Strong is among the highlights of the pieced together offense the Bengals rolled onto the fields on Friday nights. His 964 rushing and eight touchdowns were a boon for the offense. Now, with most of the pieces returning, we're expecting a sizable increase in his production. He's a steadying force and the players around him are more developed, too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1732409' first='Devonte' last='Taylor'] Woodmont    Taylor isn't one of the true positional burners in this class. And while we'd classify him as anything but slow, he's also done the work in the weight room to add the necessary power to break tackles make himself into the 1,000-yard rusher he is. He chimed in just shy of 5-foot-9 on his verified height and packaged with his strength he's more than big enough to be a problem for Upstate defenses for the next two years. Keep an eye on this one.

Editor's note: Prep RedZone's Spring Rankings Update window means savings for you. Throughout the entirety of the cycle, you can save 40% off an annual or two-year subscription by using the offer code “Guerin40” at checkout. This will unlock all rankings and subsequent content at the discounted rate. Get in the game here.