Top 8 ranked RB prospects in Louisiana's loaded 2028 class

Louisiana, known as a consistent hotbed for some of the country's top football talent per capita, is amid a particularly nice run of recruiting classes at the moment.   The Boot is producing both notable depth and elite, top-end national prospects in one cycle after another. And, interestingly, several classes have had and continue to have strong cases among the state's best ever at producing certain positions.   The Manning-led 2023 class was heavily discussed as the best cohort of quarterback talent to come out of the state's high school ranks, but now a 2027 class with its two SEC commits, three total Power-Four commits and eight Division-I commits and counting has a case for topping the list.   Similarly, the 2025 class was loaded at running back, but the rising 2028 class is coming together in impressive fashion at the position.   Here's a look at the eight highest-ranked running backs in the last class rankings update.   [player_tooltip player_id='1845257' first='Dalen' last='Powell'] — 6-2, 190 RB — Ruston   Being the top-ranked running back in this class speaks volumes in its own right, but Powell is in the conversation with top prospects at the position in the near-decade worth of PRZLA rankings. His vision, explosiveness and breakaway speed made him one of the breakout stars of this past fall anywhere in the state. He already possesses good size for the next level with two more years of high school still remaining. And in addition to being a game-changing weapon as a ball-carrier and return man, he's one of the more capable pass-catching backs in the class as well — an attribute the Bearcats are expected to utilize more frequently this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1375178' first='Noble' last='Williams'] — 5-11, 175 RB — Alexandria   Williams enjoyed somewhat of a breakout season this fall as well with nearly 700 yards despite being sidelined by injury for a stretch. His burst and long speed stand out as he puts his foot in the turf and explodes north-south if a running lane is immediately available, jukes by defenders with his violent cuts or flat out-runs them to the perimeter to get up the sideline for big gains. He showed some exciting balance through contact during the spring game in May and effectiveness as a pass-catcher during camp work in June and has become one of the hotter names in the class in the process.   [player_tooltip player_id='1263234' first='Kason' last='Williams'] — 6-1, 180 RB/ATH — Alexandria   Williams is among the most capable pass-catchers near the top of the running back rankings, an aspect of his game that stood out as much as any on his available freshman film when he debuted in the rankings well over a year ago. But he was the Trojans' top rusher this fall with a performance that earned him all-state consideration. He's a smooth athlete with some wiggle to his running style and can be tough to bring down even when a defender gets a hand on him. And while he hasn't (at least yet) posted as top-end of 40-yard or track times as some others in the class, he consistently showed the speed in pads this fall to break away for long scores once able to open his stride.   D.J. Neal — 5-10, 175 RB — Franklin Parish   The aforementioned Williamses give Alexandria a strong case as Louisiana's top backfield, and another case resides in Winnsboro where Franklin Parish has an LSU-committed senior and one of the state's major stock-rising juniors. The quick and balanced Neal dances, cuts and spins his way through, around and off defenders and shows the speed to be gone to the end zone once loose. And he's another of the highly ranked backs on this list whose pass-catching ability helps round out his game and set him apart from some other peers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145834' first='Caiden' last='Bellard'] — 5-10, 190 RB/ATH — Lafayette Christian   The thickly built, explosive back became the bellcow in his Knights' backfield as a sophomore with more than 1,500 yards and an all-state selection and then one of the first in-state prospects in the class to receive an LSU offer. Bellard is one of the more powerful runners in the state, not only blowing through attempted arm tackles but outright bowling through or bouncing off defenders at times and being able to accelerate in a blink to top gear and long scoring runs.   [player_tooltip player_id='228925' first='Lucas' last='Owens Jr.'] — 5-10, 195 RB/ATH — Minden   The longtime highly ranked and highly regarded prospect in the PRZLA rankings for the class has garnered some early recruiting attention and other recognition, but should still just be scratching the surface in those regards. Owens packs a good combination of explosiveness and physicality to be a threat to find the end zone any time he touches the ball, but also to be able to power his way through some contact for tougher yards when necessary. And he is a smooth pass-catcher out of the backfield who catches the ball in stride and gets upfield in a hurry for big gains on the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1393848' first='Gregory' last='Williams Jr']. — 5-9, 160 RB/ATH — Catholic-Baton Rouge   The Bears' multisport standout is one of the smaller, but also more versatile and dynamic athletes on this list with his effectiveness working out of the slot. Whether with his elusiveness as a ball-carrier or his route-running, Williams' quickness stands out, and he possesses the long speed to make him a key member of the school's perennial-power track program and a home-run threat on the football field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1619707' first='Ja'Myron' last='Dillon'] — 5-8, 175 RB/ATH — Amite   Dillon is one of the more under-the-radar players on this list from an early recruiting and media standpoint, but not in terms of his production and talent. The Warriors' standout has already racked up about 2,000 yards in his career, including 1,000-yard sophomore campaign. His solid build, toughness and contact balance make him a handful between the tackles, and he's shown some ability to make defenders miss and some versatility with his route-running and pass-catching in camp settings and his preparation to shoulder quarterback duties this upcoming season.

Louisiana, known as a consistent hotbed for some of the country's top football talent per capita, is amid a particularly nice run of recruiting classes at the moment.

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Top 8 ranked RB prospects in Louisiana’s loaded 2028 class

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