Top 5 Class 5A Running Backs in Tennessee: 2026 Scouting Report

Tennessee high school football is loaded with talent heading into the 2026 season, and the 5A group is packed with standout offensive playmakers. As summer approaches, several guys are emerging as top prospects to watch in Tennessee high school football recruiting.   In this scouting series breaking down the top football players by position and classification, here's an in-depth look at the top five 5A running backs in Tennessee entering the 2026 high school football season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/Photo-Nov-18-2025-10-34-13-PM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2058221" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Page RB [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] before a game. Photo by Page Athletics</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] – Page High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] is coming off a productive season with the 5A state champs, but is due for a big junior campaign with the backfield to himself. Even sharing carries in 2025, he rushed for over 1,000 yards. His recruitment is beginning to pick up now that college coaches are allowed to contact 2028s. The first to offer was Eastern Kentucky, but more are on the way.   He offers good size, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 215 pounds with a strong, athletic frame that makes him a bruiser on the gridiron. Otey is very elusive and thrives at weaving through traffic. He's a patient guy who runs well, maintains a strong pad level and makes nice cuts. His technique and footwork are on point, tying everything together for one of the top 2028 prospects in Tennessee   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/2-DK-Williams-crop-4257x2796-1769188354.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2111560" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Beech ATH [player_tooltip player_id='903534' first='DK' last='Williams'] at a Prep Redzone camp.</figcaption></figure>   2027 [player_tooltip player_id='903534' first='DK' last='Williams'] – Beech High School   Typically, when you think about [player_tooltip player_id='903534' first='DK' last='Williams'] from Beech High School, the linebacker position comes to mind. But, he is also one of the best tailbacks in 5A and was productive a season ago. While sharing carries, he rushed for 638 yards on nearly 10 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns.   He's a compact player, standing 6-foot and weighing 205 pounds with a thick frame that allows him to be a bruiser inside and outside the tackles. Despite being a physical runner, Williams is very athletic and has impressive speed. He's shifty, elusive, runs with good vision, shows nice burst and the ability to get downhill quickly.   <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>   2027 [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 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 scores across 26 games. He has excellent traits and 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 2027 prospect possesses strong vision and quick instincts that bring everything together. Maples is committed to Western Kentucky. 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/3/2024/12/tstarks_d32652.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1589987" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Munford RB [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks']. Taken by Amy Smith.</figcaption></figure>   2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks'] – Munford High School   [player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks'] posted a good freshman season at Munford High School, then followed it up with a sensational sophomore campaign, earning him Prep Redzone First Team All-State honors. In 10 games, he carried the rock 183 times for 1,606 yards and 23 total touchdowns. He does not hold any offers right now, but is due for a breakout year along the recruiting trail.   He's a compact player, standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 195 pounds with a thick, athletic frame that gives him nice upside at the next level. Starks is a speedy player who consistently outruns defenders. He is athletic, has nice burst, good vision, runs with patience and possesses impressive elusiveness. The rising junior has a good finesse game, but also the body and physical tools to run through defenders and fight for extra yardage, as shown at Munford High School.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carsencarter35/status/2063084978318045667?s=20 </div></figure>   2027 Carsen Carter – Lincoln County High School   Carsen Carter was one of the most productive running backs in Tennessee last season, including dominant play in the postseason. In total, he rushed for 1,311 yards on six yards per carry with 16 touchdowns. He enters the 2026 campaign as one of the more underrated players in his class, but he just received his first offer from Sewanee. With another strong year, he could see more.   He's a compact running back, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 190 pounds, with a strong frame. Carter has excellent vision, is patient, hits the hole with authority and offers nice burst. The rising senior is also highly physical and unafraid of contact. He will run over defenders and consistently commands multiple at a time to bring him down.

Tennessee high school football is loaded with talent heading into the 2026 season, and the 5A group is packed with standout offensive playmakers. As summer approaches, several guys are emerging as top prospects to watch in Tennessee high school football recruiting.