2027 Running Back Needle Movers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 football season kicks off this week and we're kicking off our coverage with complete and in-depth breakdowns on the state's senior class. This is a class that will go down in the history books as one of the best in state history. We've updated our&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2027-rankings/">2027 rankings to include the Top 200 prospects in the state</a></strong>. We have a ton of individual breakdowns dropping every day to spotlight some of those special prospects. In this breakdown, we're taking a look at the running back position. These seven prospects could definitely be considered “needle movers” for the experience and overall production they've had in their careers. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 2027 individual breakdowns!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693905"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff3dc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this time last year, we had a feeling that Carl Albert running back [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] was primed for a breakout junior season. We didn't think that he would be shattering Carl Albert rushing records. And think about that for a moment. Carl Albert has had some outstanding running backs come through their program for decades now. Nobody has run for more touchdowns in a single season than Matthews. The UNLV commit also had some offseason surgery to get himself cleaned up and at 100% before his senior season. That's a scary proposition for his opponents this fall. He wasn't fully healthy for a decent chunk of his record-breaking run. What is he going to do in 2026 when he has a clean bill of health?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1174139"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff3e6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broken Bow running back [player_tooltip player_id='1174139' first='Jattairrius' last='Neal'] might have been the biggest breakout star from the 2025 football season. Looking back, we didn't know anything about Neal and it was easy to be overlooked considering they had another budding superstar at the quarterback position. But pretty quickly, it became apparent that Neal was a player that we needed to look out for in the 2027 class. Neal was incredibly productive and was a threat to break off a long run or be a threat in the pass game. Neal became one of the more productive running backs in the state a year ago. And after getting a chance to see him in person this spring, we're even more impressed with him because he checks all the boxes from a physical standpoint to go along with that production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298836"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff3f56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norman North all purpose back [player_tooltip player_id='1298836' first='Byron' last='Mason'] has proven that he's exactly that after the 2025 season that he had. We first watched Mason in person and thought he could have this kind of impact last spring. He is your prototypical running back that is equally as deadly whether you hand him the football or throw him the football out of the backfield. Mason put up some serious numbers in both categories last season and has the potential to do even more damage this season. Norman North brings back a strong core on the offensive side of the ball. It wouldn't be surprising to see Mason flirt with being a 1,000-yard rusher and also a 1,000-yard receiver. Whether he gets those numbers is one thing but the potential is certainly there for him to do that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1506286"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff3ff6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1506286' first='Ozias' last='Adams'] continues to be one of the more underrated running backs in Class 6A-1 and in the state's 2027 class as a whole. We got a chance to watch Adams up close for a few hours at a team camp back in the spring and it's hard not to walk away very impressed with his ability at the running back position. He has a similar build to Mason at Norman North and the skillset is also very similar. Although, watching Adams in spring, it looked like he ran the ball with an intensity that you don't see very often at the high school level. He's one of those running backs where you have to throw waves at him because you're not going to be able to bring him down in a one on one situation. He has the speed and strength to make a short gain into a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1182029"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff404e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawton MacArthur running back [player_tooltip player_id='1182029' first='Connor' last='Claborn'] is coming off a breakout junior season where he ran for more than 2,000 yards. Claborn isn't the biggest running back prospect in the state's 2027 class but throw on the film and look at what he was able to do against some of Lawton MacArthur's toughest opponents. That's what impresses us the most about Claborn and his ability to be a playmaker at the next level. Claborn wasn't just racking up yards and touchdowns against the opponents they beat by 50. He was producing in every single game, even against the teams that Lawton Mac lost to in 2025. That's a big reason why Claborn joined Matthews on our Preseason All State 1st Team as Class 5A is loaded with running backs heading into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1109329"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff4091"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top running backs we're fired up to watch this season is [player_tooltip player_id='2042560' first='Anthony' last='Keys'] as he moved to Choctaw this offseason. Keys had been a big part of Millwood's offense over the last three seasons. Even when he was a freshman and the Falcons had two other older running backs in the mix, he found a way to crack the lineup and get some very important carries. And then last year, there was no doubt that Keys was the major piece to Millwood's team as the roles had flipped and they were very young everywhere else. He met that challenge head on and still found a way to produce at a high level. Now, he joins a Choctaw team where the running back he's replacing is of a similar build and running style. He should plug in and pick up where he left off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["474870"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90446ff40d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coweta running back [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] is an example of a prospect that opponents will wonder how he's not in college already when they face him this fall. Heilmann has been starting for the Tigers since his freshman season and last year, he put everything together for a very strong junior season. After the Tigers went 2-8 during his sophomore season, Heilmann helped lead them to a 9-2 record and the district championship as a junior. We have gotten a chance to watch Heilmann a handful of times over the last several years at our offseason showcase events. Every time we see him, he's one of the best running backs in attendance. He runs the ball hard, has speed to break away from defenders in the open field and is a nightmare to bring down in a one on one situation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->