2028 Rankings Positional Breakdown: Running Backs and Linebackers

<p>We already hit on the defensive linemen in this 2028 class, but now we're switching gears to spotlight some of the skill guys who bring a different kind of juice. There's a strong group of running backs in this early crop — four of them made the cut — and one linebacker who's already turning heads with how he plays downhill. Small sample size for now, but these five all bring something to the table. Let's start with the backs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1114228' first='Byron' last='Brandon'] fits right in with the wave of speed Desert Edge has seemed to have coming through the program lately. He's already picked up his first offer — Idaho jumped in early — and it won't be his last. Brandon is the kind of back who can hit a crease, make one sharp cut, and be gone. He's shifty, explosive, and has that stop-start quickness that makes defenders freeze. But he's not just a finesse guy either — he's got enough strength to lower the shoulder and power through contact when needed. The thing that stands out most, though, is what happens after the cut. He doesn't just make a guy miss — he turns it into something big. There's a real chance he becomes one of the most dangerous backs in the state over the next few years. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1327778' first='Devante' last='Roebuck'] is already building a name for himself on both sides of the ball. He's had a busy month on the recruiting trail, with offers rolling in from Arizona, NAU, and more — and it's easy to see why. Roebuck's a tough, physical runner who combines a sturdy frame with surprisingly light feet. He's got that rare mix of power and quickness that makes him hard to bring down, running through arm tackles and bouncing off contact like it's nothing. You don't expect a kid his size to move the way he does, but he's got real burst and can get downhill in a hurry. His footwork is clean, his balance is impressive, and when he decides to hit the gas, he gets upfield in a flash. He's still developing, but the foundation is there for him to become one of the more complete backs in the class. Hamilton's got a real weapon in their backfield — and if his growth continues at this pace, more offers are going to follow.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to believe [player_tooltip player_id='499907' first='Jeffrey' last='Smith III'] is only a freshman, because he already runs like a seasoned vet. He finished his first varsity season with 666 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 141 carries — good for second in the 2028 class — and did it with a physical, no-nonsense style that just wears defenses down. At 5'10”, 185 pounds, he's got the frame of a workhorse, and he runs like one too. Smith gets to the line of scrimmage quickly, runs through contact with strong leg drive, and keeps his feet moving through traffic. He's a classic downhill back who thrives between the tackles, but there's more to him than just power — he flashes enough agility to keep defenders off-balance and enough burst to turn solid runs into chunk plays. What really stands out is his toughness. Even with guys draped all over him, he just keeps churning forward. There's a maturity to how he plays that you don't often see at this age. As he continues to grow, especially in learning how to set up blocks and time his cuts a bit more patiently, he's going to be the kind of back you trust to carry the load all game long.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1258544' first='Easton' last='Conner'] wasted no time making an impact as a freshman, stepping onto the varsity field at Desert Mountain and showing flashes of just how dangerous he can be. He's dangerous as a receiving threat out of the backfield and isn't easy to get to the ground once he has the ball. What stands out most right now is his vision. He sees the field incredibly well and seems to know where the space is going to open up before it even does. He's got real juice once he hits the open field, with a second gear that lets him run away from defenders and the wiggle to make people miss in tight spaces. There's also enough toughness in his game to bounce off tackles and keep plays alive. He's already a well-rounded playmaker with great hands and a natural feel for the position. As he keeps developing that quick twitch and lowers his pad level a bit more, Conner's going to become a seriously intriguing prospect to track. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1707434' first='Porter' last='Cross'] already shows a really advanced feel for the game, especially when you consider how young he is. He's got sharp instincts and does a great job of finding the ball through the mess inside the box — whether it's navigating traffic or shedding blocks, he always seems to be in the right spot. He's slippery enough to make life tough on offensive linemen, rarely letting them get clean hands on him, and once he locates the ball, he doesn't hesitate. There's a confidence in how he plays that stands out. As he continues to grow physically and logs more reps, especially against top competition, his ceiling is only going to rise. He's already someone worth keeping a close eye on in this 2028 class. </p>

We already hit on the defensive linemen in this 2028 class, but now we're switching gears to spotlight some of the skill guys who bring a different kind of juice. There's a strong group of running backs in this early crop — four of them made the cut — and one linebacker who's already turning heads with how he plays downhill. Small sample size for now, but these five all bring something to the table. Let's start with the backs.