5 Underrated Senior Running Backs to Watch in 2026

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.   Next, here are five rising senior tailbacks in the Tennessee Class of 2027 who have flashed serious potential throughout their careers. Whether it's inconsistency, a limited body of film or questions about size, each rusher on this list is not receiving the respect they deserve heading into their senior seasons.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/jambrown2-crop-401x263-1774482684.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2158595" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Rockvale RB [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'] at his previous school.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'] – Rockvale High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'] is one of my favorite transfers from this past season, moving from Stewart Creek. It was an underrated get, but this 2027 running back is an impressive player with star written all over him. In just four games played a season ago, he totaled 605 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns against good competition.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2036965193364672869?s=20 </div></figure>   The rising senior is well-built for his position, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 210 pounds, with a thick but lean frame. Brown is the definition of a bowling ball, but he moves very well and has good speed, making him the complete package. He has all the physical tools to dominate 6A, but his excellent vision will go a long way in taking him to that next level.   Several people around the program rave about how talented he is, with his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1675717' first='Dallas' last='Pauldo'] calling him “different.” Brown offers just about everything you want in a tailback and will be a big-time player this upcoming season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-07-2025-4-03-25-PM-crop-1079x709-1759871911.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1939293" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ensworth RB EJ Gibson. Taken by Wittmer Jones, sh0tbywitt.</figcaption></figure>   EJ Gibson – Ensworth School   Ensworth's [player_tooltip player_id='1940925' first='E.J.' last='Gibson'] is coming off a terrific junior season where he rushed for 1,614 yards and 20 touchdowns, earning All-Midstate honors and being a Mr. Football candidate. He's an impressive player with all the physical tools and skills to be a good player at the next level, but he still has another year of high school ball.   He offers solid size for the position, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 200 pounds in a lean but thick frame. Gibson is built like a bowling ball and runs like one, too. He's physical between and outside of the tackles, but don't sleep on his speed. The rising senior is quick and agile, making him a complete player who can an every-down back.   There are a lot of quality tailbacks in Tennessee, but the 2027 prospect is one of the best that you will find. Gibson will be Ensworth's top offensive player again this season, where he has a chance to capture the Division II-AAA Mr. Football award.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/04/Photo-Apr-03-2026-6-52-04-PM-crop-1320x867-1779764261.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2216255" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: McCallie RB [player_tooltip player_id='2112022' first='Xavier' last='Fillion'] during a game. Photo from his Instagram.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2112022' first='Xavier' last='Fillion'] – McCallie School   McCallie's [player_tooltip player_id='2112022' first='Xavier' last='Fillion'] is one of the most underrated tailbacks in Tennessee. The rising senior was productive in his first season with the Blue Tornado, rushing for 799 yards (6.6 YPC) and eight touchdowns in 11 games. He also offers receiving ability out of the backfield, totaling 220 yards through the air this past season.   Fillion is a compact player, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 197 pounds, but has a well-built frame with plenty of athleticism. There are several qualities to like about the rising senior, but my favorite is his toughness. He's relentless, constantly fighting for extra yardage and possessing the ability to make something out of nothing.   While he has those traits, Fillion is a rather quick back with the burst to hit the hole and outrun defenders. Now, he doesn't have track speed, but the 2027 prospect has enough of it to be useful in a multitude of ways. In a way, he reminds me of former Michigan Wolverines standout Blake Corum, with his compact build, high motor and ability to do it all for his team.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/braymaples-crop-1159x761-1771994190.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2137907" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sevier County RB [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'].</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] – Sevier County High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] is one of the best running backs in Tennessee, regardless of classification. He transferred to Sevier County High School for his senior year, but he was extremely productive at his previous school. Over the past two seasons, the rising senior has rushed for 2,542 yards and a ridiculous 47 touchdowns across 26 games. He has some excellent traits along with the physical tools that make him one of the most intriguing players in 2027.   He offers good size, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 190 pounds with a strong, athletic frame that allows him to stay agile but be physical. Maples is dangerous in several ways, starting with his speed and burst. He has legit track speed with nice quickness to make any play a house call. The 2027 prospect is also powerful and unafraid of contact. He may be speedy, but Maples will run through defenders and consistently commands multiple tacklers to bring him down.   The rising senior possesses good vision and quick instincts that tie everything together. Maples holds nearly double-digit offers, most of them from Group of Five teams. However, he has the tools to be a Power Four player. With a good senior year in one of the toughest classifications, he could do just that.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/tthomas-crop-700x460-1779911591.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2217302" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA (Knox) ATH [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] at practice.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] – Grace Christian School (Knoxville)   [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] missed the entire 2025 season, but has been highly productive in his career at Grace Christian Academy. In his sophomore season as the feature back, he ran for 1,265 yards, while catching 69 passes for 1,044 yards and scoring 28 total touchdowns.   He's a compact player, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 195 pounds, but is a physical runner with good elusiveness and excels outside the tackles. Thomas is a versatile guy who plays running back, wide receiver and outside linebacker, giving him all the right tools to be an excellent tailback.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2060079989022670867?s=20 </div></figure>   The rising senior is a terrific all-around player who is one of the best in his class when healthy. Once he returns this fall, it will be a scary sight for opposing teams. He and JV Stinson will make for a great 1-2 punch.

The Tennessee Class of 2027 is one of the most talent-rich recruiting classes in recent memory, featuring quality prospects at every position, including several who are flying well under the radar. In this new series breaking down Tennessee's top 2027 recruits, I'll spotlight the most overlooked athletes at each position as we enter the most critical stretch of the recruiting calendar.