“Sleeper” 2028 Running Backs to Keep an Eye on this fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we're taking a look at four junior running backs who could explode onto the scene this year despite being relatively overlooked right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665495"],"_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-6a8766306b348"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665495' first='D'Shawn' last='Kennedy'] is very agile and can stop/start on a dime in order to juke around defenders at the line of scrimmage. He also shows good patience in both the power and zone game, going slow to and fast through every lane he finds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy's not the biggest guy in the world, but he runs with more power than you'd expect from a 165-pound ball carrier. He consistently falls forward and makes it hard for defenders to arm-tackle him at the point of contact. There were multiple times during his sophomore season when he got hit near the LOS and ended up dragging defenders an extra 3-4 yards downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a player who could definitely gain more recruiting momentum this year with a big season for KWHS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2073350"],"_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-6a8766306b3aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2073350' first='Joey' last='Ridolfi'] is a big play waiting to happen, and he's one of the fastest ball-carriers in the 2028 class. The way he's able to burst through the line of scrimmage and outrun defenders is beautiful to watch, and he's shiftier than some give him credit for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's an excellent zone runner, being able to stretch and pierce incredibly well, which bodes nicely for his outlook in a scheme that 90% of teams run at the college level. Ridolfi also catches the ball very well out of the backfield and can be effective as a kick and punt returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2073350' first='Joey' last='Ridolfi'] is a player who needs to be followed closely in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205381"],"_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-6a8766306b3f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2205381' first='Michael' last='Wesley'] is a bigger ball-carrier who does a great job of running behind his pads. He consistently brings the contact to defenders, and he shows good enough "wiggle" to make defenders miss from time to time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He'll likely see a lot more action on offense this season, and though he doesn't have a lot of tape yet, Wesley could be an exciting player to keep track of throughout his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->