3A/4A Running Backs To Know

Will Helms June 12, 2026 @ 06:46 AM

June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, and it can be helpful to spotlight the guys who will play huge roles in the playoff picture. Here, we'll look at five running backs to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Five 3A/4A RBs to Know in 2026</h2>   Editor's Note: Check out our other 3A/4A Breakdowns <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/3a-4a-quarterbacks-to-know/">QBs</a>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616304' first='Teo' last='McPhatter'] | Princeton   McPhatter played some quarterback in one of those "Get your best player the ball" situations last season. He actually thrived as a passer during the rare times he went to the air, but this is about his explosive ability as a running back. He's a threat to score from anywhere on the field thanks to good speed and elite acceleration. He's also nearly impossible to bring down in the open field. He's just a rising junior, so it's possible he could trend towards some records.   [player_tooltip player_id='1687440' first='Wesley' last='Tew'] | Midway   Tew initially caught our attention at last year's Carolinas Coaches' Combine with some excellent speed and explosion numbers. As a rising sophomore, he put up a 31-inch vertical and sub-4.8 40. He then backed up that athletic testing with a strong sophomore season, hitting 1,000 yards by Game 8. We think he can take another step forward as a junior, and he looks like a future college back.   [player_tooltip player_id='1321028' first='Amario' last='Spence'] | West Iredell   Spence is a much bigger back, something that can be rare at the lower classifications. He's also explosive, averaging over eight yards per carry and scoring 19 touchdowns as a junior. He's an excellent receiver out of the backfield, catching 22 passes last season. He runs with plenty of contact balance and can burst through the line of scrimmage with speed.   [player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope'] | Newton-Conover   Pope came out of nowhere last season, shocking us here at Prep Redzone with his volume as a ball carrier. In our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/newton-conover-red-devils-2025-season-preview/">season preview for Newton-Conover</a> last year, I mentioned that the Red Devils' running backs had fewer than 100 attempts. Pope had 145 touches and nearly 1,200 yards as a sophomore, giving the Red Devils a different feel heading into the 2026 season. He's explosive and can win in several different ways in the running game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis'] | Burns   One of the top-ranked running back prospects in the 4A class, Davis had a breakout season last year for Burns. A two-way player, he's also a standout linebacker, thriving on defense as a sophomore, but may have discovered his best position with increased volume as a rusher. He's a tough, downhill runner who averaged nearly 10 yards per carry last season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 3A/4A RBs To Know</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2050293' first='Nate' last='Kiger'] | East Surry   [player_tooltip player_id='2106957' first='Jordan' last='Buford'] | Hendersonville   [player_tooltip player_id='1969750' first='RJ' last='Brooks'] | North Stanly   [player_tooltip player_id='2104496' first='Nicolas' last='Woolf'] | South Rowan   [player_tooltip player_id='2140154' first='Kobe' last='Walker'] | Eastern Randolph   Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.

June is one of my favorite months of the Prep Redzone Calendar because we get to start preseason content. One thing I loved last year was taking the time to break down players by classification. Players in the smaller classifications get overlooked, and it can be helpful to spotlight the guys who will play huge roles in the playoff picture. Here, we'll look at five running backs to know in North Carolina's 3A and 4A classifications.