10 Must-See RBs in 2026

Our high school football season countdown is under three weeks, and we've been <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/topsail-2026-season-preview/">previewing teams</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/breakout-candidates-5-dbs-expected-to-step-up/">highlighting breakout players</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/greater-charlotte-athletic-conference-media-day-recap/">covering media days</a>. What we haven't done is look at the top players. Consider this the start of your 2026 high school football primer. Send this one to your friends who only pay attention August-December. Here are 10 must-see running backs.   Want to send this to a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">10 QBs To Know in 2026</h2>   Editor's Note: While we may make mention of future college potential, we're focused on Friday nights here. Players are in no particular order, but are all expected to make massive impacts this season. Other "Must-See" Pieces:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/10-must-see-quarterbacks-in-2026/">QBs</a>    Brown is the top-ranked back in the state, a bully of a back who is always moving downhill. Last season, Rolesville's offense never quite got in sync, but Brown was still excellent, averaging over seven yards per carry against one of the hardest schedules in the state. I like his offensive line a bit better this season and think he'll have a huge senior year.     McPhatter is ridiculously athletic, a shorter back who can dunk a basketball with ease. He played a lot of quarterback last season for Princeton, touching the ball every play while leading the offense in plenty of shootouts. He has great vision, and he's gotten bigger this offseason. He's the state's leading returning rusher after running for nearly 2,500 yards on over 350 carries.     Evans is as steady as they come. Reagan played ball control, riding Evans against top teams who stacked boxes. Still, the rising junior averaged nearly eight yards per carry on 23 touches per game. He wears defenses down, and he's as important to his team's success as any player on this list.     McLean is currently our top-ranked overall prospect in the 2029 class, a rising sophomore with massive potential. The state of North Carolina hasn't produced many truly elite backs in recent seasons, and McLean could be a national recruit. Scotland eased him in until the primary back was injured last year. McLean then finished the year with over 600 yards and 11 touchdowns in three games and is a candidate to be the state rushing leader in 2026.     Freeman is a long-time NC State commit who has plenty of experience for Southeast Raleigh. He's one of the better athletes at the running back position, with a laser-timed 40 in the low 4.4s. He ran for 1,200 yards last season, adding six receiving touchdowns. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/southeast-raleigh-2026-season-preview/">Southeast Raleigh should be even better</a> this season, and Freeman should play a part in the 7A playoff story.     Pone has put up excellent numbers despite being option 1B for the entirety of his career. He's an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield, spending his sophomore season at receiver. He's averaged at least eight yards per touch every year of his career, and put up nearly 1,500 yards on just 134 touches as a junior. If he gets the chance to be a workhorse, he could put up state-leading numbers.     Pearson ran for nearly 2,000 yards on fewer than 175 attempts, scoring 30 touchdowns. He's a speedster who makes defenders look silly in the open field. Jacksonville returns a large chunk of its offensive line, and I don't think 2,000 yards is out of the question in 2026.     Young never left the field last year, with over 300 carries and 100 tackles for Franklin last season. He's gotten some traction on the recruiting trail this offseason, and while it looks like he might end up playing mostly defense at the next level, he's a fantastic running back who will both run over and around defenders.     Pless plays in a fun Wing-T variation on offense, where his vision and acceleration shine. He's a compact, old-school runner who will break a lot of tackles and get a lot of carries. He had 226 carries as a sophomore, running for over 1,800 yards in his first year as a starter. If you like bulldozers at the running back position, Pless is your guy.     Troy is one of the top backs in the 2028 class, and a transfer into Cannon School behind a top offensive line could help the dynamic back take his game to another level. He runs with great pad level, and he's much faster on the field than his (still impressive) 40 suggests. He has the frame to carry more weight, but as one of the more dynamic home run threats in the state, he should have more than his share of long runs.    We still have plenty to cover before the season starts. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.

Our high school football season countdown is under three weeks, and we've been previewing teams, highlighting breakout players, and covering media days. What we haven't done is look at the top players. Consider this the start of your 2026 high school football primer. Send this one to your friends who only pay attention August-December. Here are 10 must-see running backs.