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<p>Our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2030-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">initial 2030 rankings</a> were released Monday, and we're breaking down all 62 ranked players. After going <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2030-rankings-midseason-update/">behind the scenes</a> and looking at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/10/3-things-to-know-about-the-2030-class/">three big-picture things</a> of note, let's break down the 10 ranked running backs in a fun 2030 class.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2030 RB Evaluations</h2>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Had we ranked 2030s before the season, Albert would have been one of the top players in the class. Even after battling an injury for most of the season, he's impressed us enough to warrant a Top-10 overall ranking. His explosive athleticism pops on film, and when he accelerates, he leaves defenders behind. He has that extra gear that only the rare few backs have. He's only played five of nine games, averaging almost 150 scrimmage yards per game, and he's doing it all while playing at less than 100%.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Patterson is a bouncy and explosive athlete. A jitterbug of a runner at 5'9", 150 pounds, he's a threat to take any run the distance. But he's not a gadget guy. Patterson has good vision and balance, able to squeeze through small holes and break into the secondary without going down from arm tackles. We've seen some clips, but we're excited to dive into his film in the offseason.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Briggs is one of the biggest backs in the 2030 class, and he's proving himself to be a short-yardage weapon. He has an excellent early athletic profile, has decent vision, and runs with excellent pad level. That combination leads us to think he's going to have a huge role going forward as he gets older and more comfortable.</p>
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<p>Hansley-Roland's tape is excellent for a guy with just a handful of carries across the year for Hoggard. It's why he's ranked so highly for us right now. He's also tearing up JV opponents, with multiple 200-yard games. He's far more powerful than you'd expect from a guy his size, and he excels between the tackles. He has the look of a future workhorse at one of the state's top 8A schools.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">McKee was never going to be a high-volume varsity guy as a freshman, given the quality and depth the Spartans have in that room. That being said, he's shown why his coaches are so high on him as a future starter. He's been explosive, with four 20-yard carries on just 12 touches this season, including a 65-yard touchdown against Northern Durham.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Ford has gotten a handful of carries per game for Forest Hills, and he's shown that he can be a tough runner between the tackles. Even if he hasn't gotten to show it much in the running game, he has excellent long speed, and he's ripped off a long kickoff return touchdown this year. We had him on the watchlist before the season, and he's proved himself more than worthy of moving into the rankings.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Wise is one of a handful of freshmen performing at a high level for A.C. Reynolds. He broke out in a win over Erwin, rushing for 125 yards. He's shifty, able to make guys miss in the open field. He's not afraid to cut a run back or move off of the initial hole if space opens up elsewhere, and that lets him break off the occasional long run.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Roseborough's name came up a lot in our initial research of this class, so it's nice to see that he's carved out a role for Reynolds. He's an explosive athlete with the ability to turn six-yard runs into 26-yard runs. That's shown up as a pass-catcher in recent weeks, as he's had a couple of long catch-and-runs for the Demons.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Cruz is a true speedster who excels on the track and the football field. He's getting some quality backup reps for a strong Southeast Alamance team this year, and his performance in limited carries leads us to think he could have a huge career once he breaks through as a starter. He's not small, either, and has some tackle-breaking ability.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I already had reservations about putting Gibson so low in his ranking debut; then he went out and eclipsed 200 yards in his regular-season finale, crossing the 1,100-yard mark for the season. He's not the tallest guy, but he has great pad level and is hard to bring down on first contact. I'm thoroughly intrigued by his unique profile, and wouldn't be surprised to see him rise in the next update.</p>
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Had we ranked 2030s before the season, Albert would have been one of the top players in the class. Even after battling an injury for most of the season, he's impressed us enough to warrant a Top-10 overall ranking. His explosive athleticism pops on film, and when he accelerates, he leaves defenders behind. He has that extra gear that only the rare few backs have. He's only played five of nine games, averaging almost 150 scrimmage yards per game, and he's doing it all while playing at less than 100%.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Patterson is a bouncy and explosive athlete. A jitterbug of a runner at 5'9", 150 pounds, he's a threat to take any run the distance. But he's not a gadget guy. Patterson has good vision and balance, able to squeeze…
Briggs is one of the biggest backs in the 2030 class, and he's proving himself to be a short-yardage weapon. He has an excellent early athletic profile, has decent vision, and runs with excellent pad level. That combination leads us…
Hansley-Roland's tape is excellent for a guy with just a handful of carries across the year for Hoggard. It's why he's ranked so highly for us right now. He's also tearing up JV opponents, with multiple 200-yard games. He's far more powerful than you'd expect from a guy his size, and he excels between the tackles. He has the look of a future workhorse at one of the state's top 8A schools.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
McKee was never going to be a high-volume varsity guy as a freshman, given the quality and depth the Spartans have in that room. That being said, he's shown why his coaches are so high on him as a future…
Ford has gotten a handful of carries per game for Forest Hills, and he's shown that he can be a tough runner between the tackles. Even if he hasn't gotten to show it much in the running game, he has excellent long speed, and he's ripped off a long kickoff return touchdown this year. We had him on the watchlist before the season, and he's proved himself more than worthy of moving into the rankings.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Wise is one of a handful of freshmen performing at a high level for A.C. Reynolds. He broke out in a win over Erwin, rushing for 125 yards. He's shifty, able to make guys miss in the open field. He's…
Roseborough's name came up a lot in our initial research of this class, so it's nice to see that he's carved out a role for Reynolds. He's an explosive athlete with the ability to turn six-yard runs into 26-yard runs.…
Cruz is a true speedster who excels on the track and the football field. He's getting some quality backup reps for a strong Southeast Alamance team this year, and his performance in limited carries leads us to think he could have a huge career once he breaks through as a starter. He's not small, either, and has some tackle-breaking ability.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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