TN2028 Watch List: Mid-TN Running Backs 

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The greater Mid-Tennessee area produces a lot of college level talent and that's how it looks for our rising junior running backs. This looks like a solid collection of ball carriers that are starters for their respective teams while sporting next level abilities. I expect several of these guys below to put forth strong junior seasons that boost their college stock significantly. </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>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] - Forrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- I will go ahead and provide the statement that Mitchell is in contention to be our top ranked running back from the TN2028 class. This Mid-Tennessee product has “elite” traits about him that go beyond his overall size. Mitchell only stands about 5 '7 but he is a fearless runner with outstanding speed and some of the best footwork from any running back in the state. The Rockets junior is quite strong for his size as well. Defenders have a hard time dealing with Mitchell due to his small stature, his power and quick feet that get him into the open field where his explosion and speed takes over. Mitchell also led the state in rushing last year as a sophomore, so he has been very productive. There will be college staffs that look past Mitchell because of his height but trust me when I tell you he is legit and someone that could carve out a long career on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1868595' first='Jacob' last='Vaughn'] - Oakland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- New to the Patriots backfield for the upcoming season, Vaughn is one of the more athletic ball carriers we have from the TN2028 class that has a chance to breakout this Fall as he competes for Mr. Football while helping his Oakland team achieve their third straight state title. Speed is the first thing you recognize about Vaughn. This dude is fast with the ability to separate from defenders with a second gear while sporting enough strength to breakthrough would-be tacklers. His initial burst makes things tough for opposing defenses but once into the open field, Vaughn flips on the burners and searches for the end zone. The Patriots junior also displays upside in the passing game as well. Vaughn does need to continue getting bigger and stronger but the raw athletic tools are there to become a highly valued TN2028 recruit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103247,"width":"215px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/74-Jacob-Vaughn.png?w=628" alt="" class="wp-image-2103247" style="width:215px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] - Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Otey has been performing since his freshman season with the Pats and steadily gotten better each year but now he heads into his junior campaign as the lead back and someone due to breakout on the recruiting scene. Sporting great size and a physically well built frame, Otey is a powerback that displays good initial burst then shows flashes of a second gear. The Patriots junior is a good athlete that can improve in this area moving forward. I also see pass protecting upside with Otey along with the ability to enhance his receiving with further development. There is a lot to like about this Mid-Tennessee product and what he can do on the college stage. Watching how he progresses this Fall will be fun and if Otey has taken that next step in his game, competing for 5A Mr. Football is very possible.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] - Blackman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Athletic &amp; elusive with home run hitting abilities, Nance is someone to follow along with this coming Fall season as he takes over the lead role in the Blaze backfield and begins to establish himself as a legit college prospect. This junior ball carrier is a natural athlete that could develop at several positions on the football field but for college, Nance translates best at running back where he can be a big play back with the speed that consistently breaks the big one. When you turn on his film, his initial burst and speed are the first things you recognize. Nance does need to keep getting bigger and stronger while filling out his frame but the athletic tools are there to develop into a home run hitting threat anytime the ball touches his hand. I fully expect this Murfreesboro area prospect to bust out in a big way this season and become a highly pursued recruit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1885826' first='Tot' last='Gardner'] - Marshall Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Not too many people knew about this Mid-Tennessee running back prior to the 2025 season but Gardner began to make a name for himself half way through the year then took off as the team's top offensive weapon and someone with a college future with continued development. Elusive and quick footed with speed into the open field, Gardner is a dangerous guy with the ball in his hands that is still growing into his body but shows next level upside. The Tigers junior running back does a nice job of reading his blocks and finding open creases in the defense to carve up positive yards, which usually ends in long gains or touchdowns. Gardner is still in developmental mode both on the field and inside the weight room but the Tigers ball carrier is talented with a lot of upside left to be fulfilled.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2231102,"width":"230px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/tgardner.jpg?w=350" alt="" class="wp-image-2231102" style="width:230px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura'] - MTCS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Bangura jumped on the scene his freshman season where he started to produce for his Cougars team but now heads into his junior campaign looking to boost his stock with a breakout year while helping his squad compete for titles. If the Cougars are to compete for titles this Fall, Bangura will lead them there as the team's top offensive weapon. This junior running back is a tad undersized with his height but Bangura runs hard with good enough speed to separate while sporting solid contact balance. He has a wide frame as well that makes things difficult for defenders to grasp onto and bring down. Bangura could enhance his agility and speed to increase his game play while adding in more power and strength but I like how this guy runs and his chances at competing for D2-Class A Mr. Football this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1960150' first='Tate' last='Rumney'] - Hendersonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Going into the 2026 season, Rumney is a sleeper prospect to track this Fall and someone that could put forth a breakout junior year that puts him squarely on the college radar. The Commandos rising junior had an excellent debut last season as a first time starter that produced 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns on the year. Rumney should be poised to produce even more yards this year as the team's top offensive option while having a strong offensive line to lead the way. Standing 5 '10 170 pounds, Rumney has the build to gain more weight and increase his power but also enhancing his speed would do wonders to his game and recruiting stock as well. This is a talented back that I think has higher levels to his game that will start to show this coming Fall season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2231108,"width":"258px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.8203258516577419","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/trumney-e1781810298536.jpg?w=840" alt="" class="wp-image-2231108" style="aspect-ratio:0.8203258516577419;width:258px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1884148' first='Markus' last='Cantrell'] - Goodpasture</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Transferring from Pope Prep to Goodpasture for his final two years of high school ball, Cantrell has a great shot at taking over main duties in the backfield this season and establishing himself as one of the better running back prospects from the greater Mid-Tennessee area. The Cougars junior is a stocky, thick ball carrier that shows a nice combination of athleticism and power from the backfield along with a deceptive second gear. Cantrell has a strong upper and lower body that makes things hard for opposing defenders to bring down. Speed is something this TN2028 running back can continue working on to make himself more appealing to college coaches. Watching Cantrell take on a lead role this Fall will be interesting to watch and see how much better he has become.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2219604' first='Bryson' last='Harrison'] - Fairview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Coming off a 1,000 yard season as a junior, Harrison returns for his senior year in hopes of putting forth another productive campaign that helps his Yellow Jackets team compete for a region title while also putting his name in the mix for Mr. Football. Harrison has some talent within himself that has yet to be tapped into, meaning I think he can increase athleticism, burst and speed. His vision is something that stands out to me. Harrison tends to pick the right running lanes to go through then his speed takes over to gain additional yards. The Yellow Jackets ball carrier already runs well but could be even faster with continued work in that department. He could also stand for more time in the weight room getting bigger and stronger as well. I do like the overall makeup here with Harrison and his potential on the next level as long as he continues to progress at a proper rate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1704671' first='Jaylon' last='Henry'] - Mt. Juliet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- This Mid-Tennessee ball carrier is my sleeper pick to breakout this Fall and become a potential “Top 20” or higher ranked recruit as long as he produces like I think he can. Henry gained experience last year with Golden Bears, showing flashes of excellent play and potential for the next level. What I like about Henry is his burst and speed along with a power profile that can be formed further to provide the Golden Bears running back with more power. Last season was a learning year for Henry and his Mt. Juliet teammates as they had a young squad but this Fall should be different with a more mature roster, especially up front in the O-line. Henry should benefit from a more matured O-line this year that can open holes for this junior ball carrier to dart through and establish himself as the team's top offensive option.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Six More to Track: </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602186' first='Keaton' last='Davis'] </strong>- Ravenwood, (RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1027829' first='Car'del' last='Douglas'] </strong>- Beech<strong>, </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2219789' first='Dylan' last='Raines'] </strong>- Smith Co.<strong>, </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1032063' first='Elijah' last='Hensley']</strong> - Lipscomb Acad.<strong>, </strong>(RB)<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1727510' first='Lasean' last='Bonds Jr.'] </strong>- James Lawson<strong>, </strong>(RB) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204692' first='R.J.' last='Brown'] </strong>- Oakland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2231116,"width":"228px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/jayhenry.webp?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2231116" style="width:228px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->