2026’s Watchlist RBs You Need to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of all the positions to cover in the sport, running back has been and always will be my favorite. The running backs of today are hybrid athletes, not only being the focal point in the run game but have increasingly played an important role in the pass game as well. Here are some of the 2026 RBs I think shine in both elements of the game, and have the ability to translate it to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402188"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Rushing for over 1300 yards and 9 touchdowns last season, [player_tooltip player_id='402188' first='Aamir' last='Dunbar'] has solidified himself as one of the top backs in the state. A sneaky fast runner, Aamir is a sharp cutting back with quick reaction time that allows him to bounce the run away from clogged holes and into the open field. An extremely powerful runner as well, Aamir's strong legs allows him to churn through defenders to grind out a few extra yards when his team needs it most. Don't be surprised if you catch Aamir truck a few defenders as he heads down the sideline in 2024.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a0be"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18632910/65106317b023ad0554dcbd3d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656d2413bc470"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087578"],"_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_0_evaluation":"A soon to be feature back for his team, [player_tooltip player_id='1087578' first='Logan' last='Stevens'] is a multidimensional running back that finds success any time the ball is in his hands. With 11 offensive touchdowns and nearly 800 offensive yards, Logan utilized his quickness to change directions and and accelerate out of cuts to leave the defenders behind him. Logan can accelerate so quickly up the middle that he can split the defense in two and force them to take poor angles. Not only that, but when he runs it between the tackles he can lower his shoulder and bring the hit to the defender. Logan is a true u0022do it allu0022 back for Bernards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a1de"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17535250/6559242cda5b5a082c82e15a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6573b8a818f84"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1088333"],"_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_0_evaluation":"An elusive, burst of energy with the ball in his hands, [player_tooltip player_id='1088333' first='Kellen' last='Murray'] is a back that needs to get the ball early and often. Rushing for 670 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023, Kellen's explosiveness out of the backfield really separates him from other backs within the state. He has the ability to get to a near full sprint by the time he's crossing the line of scrimmage. Kellen can carve right through the middle of the defense before they even know what happened. An agile ball carrier, look to Kellen to make guys miss anytime he's in the open field next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19732467/659810c532dcaf0208a38aa1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a26c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1087585"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Helping to lead his team to an 11-2 record and a state championship, Mountain Lakes' run first mentality has paid dividends in the past and will be continuing that success going into the 2024 season. Looking to repeat a state title in 2024, Mountain Lakes is bringing back one of the best, young runners in New Jersey. Rushing for 821 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall, [player_tooltip player_id='1087585' first='Carson' last='Fitch'] will be taking on the lead back role this next season as the Herd will continue to run it right down defenses' throats. Carson is a future 1000 yard rusher, so pay close attention to what he does in 2024.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65411b575a2cb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18640839/6550ba606898e9135c5e7612' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656741a275c00"} /-->