TN2028 Watch List: East TN Running Backs 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">As we continue to go in-depth with our in-state 2028 class, here we look at some East Tennessee ball carriers to track this Fall that show the talent to potentially become a ranked prospect down the road. There are a few guys in here that might find themselves at the top of the list. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Several more running back prospects will jump on our radar over the coming months and year but right now, these are the guys we have either scouted, seen in person or know about going into the 2026 football season)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1084814' first='Matthew' last='Rogers'] - Knox. Webb</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring to Webb in the off-season, Rogers is looking to take over the backfield as the team's top ball carrier and if he performs like I think he can, placing himself as the top running back from the East Tennessee region is very possible. What stands out about Rogers is his initial burst and speed into the field. Once the ball touches his hands, the Spartans ball carrier gets into space quickly then turns on the burners. Rogers is also well put together physically. He shows good contact balance with the ability to break tackles and continue moving forward. One thing against Rogers is his height but I think he makes up for it with balanced running and the ability to create big plays. I fully expect this East Tennessee product to have a big junior season and position himself as one of the top backs from our TN2028 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson'] - Sevier Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Physically well built with a powerful lower base, Patterson is a battering ram with the ball in his hands but a deceptively good athlete too that I think can take his game to new heights this coming season. The Smoky Bears rising junior has a good amount of experience as he started carrying the ball as a freshman and could be poised for his best season yet. He will be sharing the backfield with another but Patterson should be used quite heavily, especially in the red zone where his size and strength should come into play. The biggest thing Patterson should be working on this off-season to improve further is his speed. He does run well but if he can gain more burst and explosion, his stock won't only take off but he may start hearing from Power Four, D1 programs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2217334,"width":"229px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/05/npatterson2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2217334" style="width:229px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2219600' first='Cameron' last='George'] - Karns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a 1,200 yard season as a sophomore, George returns for his junior season to potentially compete for Mr. Football while also pushing his Karns team into contention for a region title. When you turn on the film you see a nice sized back that gets through the line quickly then shows enough speed to separate from defenders. The Beavers ball carrier displays good athletic movements that can be enhanced as well as the body frame to pack on additional weight and overall size. I like the building blocks here with George and if he continues to progress into a positive direction, he could have a breakout season on his hands that not only gets him into the Mr. Football conversation but also significantly boosts his college stock.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2132912' first='Jack' last='Ferguson'] - Boyd Buchanan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Moving to Boyd Buchanan this off-season for Ferguson might prove to be a smart move. As things sit right now, this Chattanooga area running back appears to be the top back on the Bucs roster and if performs like I think he can, Ferguson could establish himself as one of the top players at his position from the greater East Tennessee region. The Bucs junior running back has some of the quickest feet in this class along with elusive movements that make things difficult for defenders to handle. Ferguson is also one of the better pass catching backs in this state as well. This guy is a tremendous athlete that has make-you miss abilities and a work ethic that can be matched. The only thing holding Ferguson back from college coaches extending offers right now is his size but I think he will change that narrative with a potential breakout junior campaign.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2222214,"width":"206px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8005930318754633","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/jferguson.webp?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-2222214" style="aspect-ratio:0.8005930318754633;width:206px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy'] - Tyner Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- McNealy heads into the 2026 season as one of the more experienced backs in this class as he has been performing with the Rams since his freshman season but this coming junior year may be his best, especially if the Tyner Academy staff gives him the leading role in the backfield. Compact and strong with a powerful lower base, McNealy has the athleticism and build to be a game changer at running back that brings a nice combination of big play abilities and short yardage skills to the field that may carve out a very productive junior year. The Rams junior isn't the tallest of backs (5 '9) but he makes up for it by running fast and hard with good contact balance. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield as well. It will be interesting to see how his season plays out because I see next potential with McNealy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1187257' first='Eli' last='Whaley'] - Hardin Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- New to the Hawks backfield this coming season, Whaley is an under the radar but talented ball carrier that brings good size to the field along with deceptive burst and speed that can be enhanced much further. Standing 5 '11, nearly 6' 0 and 185 pounds, Whaley has the build and overall look that can work on the next level but he needs to completely fill out his frame while continuing to develop his lower base. The Hawks junior shows flashes of agility and speed on film but both areas must be increased for him to gain bigger interest. Coming to a team like Hardin Valley, who might be surprisingly good this year, should give him a chance to play and develop at the same time while becoming their lead, go-to back. There is a lot of development left to go for Whaley but he is certainly an East Tennessee back to follow throughout the coming football season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1177966' first='Donovan' last='Jackson'] - Jefferson Co.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- We don't have a lot of clips on Jackson but he did gain a good amount of experience last year as a sophomore that has put him on the radar as an East Tennessee back to watch. What I have seen from the Patriots running back is someone with good overall size and a frame that can be built out further along with athletic upside that might begin to flourish throughout the coming season. The biggest things for Jackson to improve upon to take the next step would be increasing his agility, burst and speed along with getting stronger and building his upper body mass. If he can do those things, you might see a breakout year from Jackson and a boost to his overall stock. I see potential with the Pats ball carrier and he should have every chance to prove himself this Fall as the team's leading back.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>‘28 (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2154617' first='Bryson' last='Christian'] - Volunteer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Christian is a sleeper prospect for me to follow during the upcoming season that should be taking on a bigger role within his Falcons offense. This East Tennessee junior ball carrier is more of an all-purpose back right now due to his burst and shifty running style. Christian is an athletic guy that displays upside to become a big play back and someone that can produce long gains. The biggest drawback to this East Tennessee ball carrier right now is his overall size. Christian stands about 5'8 170 pounds and for him to be looked at harder by college coaches, the Falcons running back would need to pack on a good bit of weight. Last year as a sophomore, Christian ran for 629 yards and 7 touchdowns, providing his offense a solid option out of the backfield. I think he can double that number this Fall as he looks to step into the full time starting role.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2222219,"width":"284px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5250749178611402","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/donjackson-crop-700x460-1780512912.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-2222219" style="aspect-ratio:1.5250749178611402;width:284px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->