2027 Rankings Preview, High Ranked RBs

<!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA/status/1907954297205039576","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA/status/1907954297205039576 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Be sure to register for our player showcase on May 4 in Charlottesville, VA! Use code&nbsp;</em><strong>LaingCombine25</strong><em>&nbsp;for $10 off. DM&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>@PrepRedzoneVA</strong></a><em>&nbsp;with any questions. Open invite to any player from the class of 2026-2028.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are hard at work preparing for upcoming ranking releases. Today, I am continuing with coverage of the Class of 2027 highlighting Running Backs you will see highly ranked. RB is a position that will see new names added this year. This article includes three new players you will see added in the updated rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**The order reflected in this article does not reflect the order of our upcoming rankings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["447440"],"_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-67efeb2fdc5d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Our top-ranked back in last year's rankings has the case to remain at that position this year. The combination of speed, balance, burst, and short-area quickness define Ty'jae's game. In his first season at Oscar Smith, he produced 109 carries, 790 yards, 7.3 yards per carry, and 10 touchdowns. He has a good frame at 5'9" with strong legs bringing strength and power into his game as well. You don't want to miss his film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19480335/Tyjae-Curtis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/Tyjae__8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201847"],"_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-67efeb2fdc63e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ethan came in as a top running back last year, and he produced a great sophomore campaign producing 1077 yards and 5 TDs, averaging 70 yards rushing per game leading to his second First-Team All-District honors. Quickness defines his game. He has solid overall speed that is paired with good acceleration, burst, short-area quickness, and change of direction. He quickly identifies his hole and bursts through it, keeping his eyes at the second level to make a defender miss and gain extra yards. Good balance and elusiveness make him tough to tackle. We also added DB as his secondary position this year as he is a two-way player for the Vikings where he produced 38 solo tackles, 28 assists, 1 pick 6, and 1 forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19464558/Brady-Oliver" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/ethanlaf3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1192447"],"_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-67efeb2fdc75f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Listing himself as an RB and Slot Receiver, Brady's film shows that. While all the reps are from the running back position, he is heavily used in the passing game as a receiving back via screenplays. His good speed defines his game, allowing him to outrun most players he will face on the field. He is good at navigating traffic at the line of scrimmage, forcing defenders to miss, and accelerating to full speed. He will return as one of our top-ranked RBs, and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19464558/Brady-Oliver" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/brady0liver?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1530561"],"_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-67efeb2fdc696"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solid height and good frame. Patient runner, allowing blocks to develop and able to operate at different speeds. Good burst to the second level, with solid short-area quickness to make defenders miss. Good balance to run through weak tackles and has the strength to keep his feet versus arm tackles. Solid break away speed in the open field. There is a lot to like in Ar'mand's game and he has already picked up a number of D1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23227539/armand-stevens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/TheArmandSteven" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313646"],"_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-67efeb2fdc6de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A quick and agile back, Zain has already picked up an offer from Bluefield St. He displays good short-area quickness, acceleration, change of direction and speed. This athleticism allows him to be creative as a ball carrier and create yards when blocking breaks down. He also has kick and punt return ability providing more value to his game. On defense, he plays Safety displaying good range in pass and run defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19672367/Zain-Elian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/zainelian4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1332226"],"_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-67f014b65a719"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawrence is a fast and elusive running back who accelerates quickly when he finds a gap, displaying very good burst and balance. We missed him in last year's rankings, and he will debut with a high rank among the class of 2027 running backs. He is a smooth runner, effortlessly weaving through traffic on the second and third levels and displays good break away speed to run away from most defenders he'll face. He has received a number of D1 offers and more will come for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18647151/Lawrence-Hewlett-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> / <a href="https://x.com/JuniorHewlettRB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**Cole cannot communicate with prospects directly due to his work in college football. Any questions related to his content must be directed to the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a></em>&nbsp;<em>account**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>&nbsp;to claim your Prep Redzone Prospect Index profile.<br>Follow me on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@GoLions1934</a>&nbsp;for further content |&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzoneVA</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@PrepRedzone</a>&nbsp;| Virginia Scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@carljfred</a>,&nbsp;</em><a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>@EdOBrienCFB</em></a><em>&nbsp;&amp; <a href="https://x.com/coachbrown757">@coachbrown757</a></em> |&nbsp;<em>View my previous Prep Redzone articles&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/author/cole-laing-author/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->