Ranking Virginia’s Top 5 Junior Running Backs Heading Into Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we're diving into some of the state's top 2028 running backs heading into the second week of the 2026 season, though some schools are playing their first games this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1508898"],"_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-6a9736ea9b5a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1508898' first='Kamharie' last='Steelman'] continues to be our top-ranked junior ball-carrier due to his overall versatility and skill set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He exploded for 262 rushing yards and scored 3 touchdowns in his first game for Roanoke Catholic last week after transferring in from William Fleming High School this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steelman's above-average long speed, mixed with his ability to make defenders miss all over the field, is why programs like Virginia Tech and West Virginia are hot on his trail right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412072"],"_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-6a9736ea9b680"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='412072' first='Marquece' last='Sharpe Jr.'] transferred to LSA from Woodbridge this year, and he's seen a massive uptick in recruiting attention over the past couple of months. Since June, he's received offers from Wake Forest, Michigan, Maryland, Nebraska, Miami, Florida State, UConn, Purdue, and Minnesota.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He continues to be one of the most diverse running backs in the 2028 class, and he'll have another opportunity to dominate on the ground in Week 2 against the Hun School in New Jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667138"],"_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-6a9736ea9b707"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1667138' first='Cj' last='Gray'] rushed for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns on only 15 carries against Roanoke Catholic in Week 1, solidifying himself as a top-5 junior ball-carrier for PRZVA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His 4.42 speed is incredibly apparent each and every week, as he easily runs away from defensive backs once he breaks past the second level. He's an underrated pass-catcher out of the backfield as well, and his well-roundedness continues to impress everyone who watches him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["793334"],"_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-6a9736ea9b75c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='793334' first='Courtland' last='Simmons'] is another complete running back who has the ability and potential to absolutely blow up in 2026. His first game isn't until this Friday against Woodberry Forest, but he's projected to be one of the top playmakers in the VISAA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His overall speed, burst, and vision are some of his most sought-after traits from a recruiting standpoint, and he'll have a chance to start off the 2026 season with a bang this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1014987"],"_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-6a9736ea9b7a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1014987' first='Aaron' last='Bowling IV'] and Huguenot face Highland Springs this weekend in their first game of the season, and Bowling IV could be one of the most explosive players on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He runs bigger than he is, and his uncanny ability to bounce off of defenders while maintaining excellent balance and control is what makes him such an intriguing ball-carrier for the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huguenot's passing attack should be pretty good this season, but Bowling IV should still be the go-to offensive catalyst between the "20's." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->