Deep Dive: Top 7 RBs in Johnston/Harnett County

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just getting started with our Deep Dives series, where we go in-depth on the best players by position in each county. I'm going through the Raleigh-Durham area, covering 11 counties around our state's capital. Here, I'm looking at the running back position, ranking the top backs in Johnston and Harnett County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 7 RBs in Johnston/Harnett County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: The ranked running backs are listed in order from first to seventh. Other names are in no particular order. Rankings reflect predicted 2026 impact.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Johnston/Harnett County Deep Dives:<br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/johnston-harnett-county-qb-deep-dive/">QBs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616304"],"_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-69a73107e90d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McPhatter was always going to have the top spot in this ranking, as arguably the most important player in the state to his team's success. He moved to quarterback last season so he could touch the ball more. He finished second in the state in kickoff return yardage, picked off five passes, and had a 92-yard fumble return, in addition to the 2,400+ scrimmage yards he put up as a sophomore. Both explosive and twitchy, he's one of the best pure athletes we've ever covered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1608325"],"_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-69a73107e913d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Running back isn't the position people associate with Cleveland, but Ferrell put teams on notice two years ago. In key matchups last season, the Rams rode Ferrell, often handing it off five or six times in a row as the bruiser wore down defenses. I'm interested to see how his role shifts with a coaching change, but I think this is the year he finally gets over that 1,000-yard hump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["561878"],"_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-69a73107e9186"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hobbs wasn't your typical backup running back last season, as he was used far more in the option game and in motion than as a traditional back. That gives him a wide range of potential outcomes in 2026. If he's used as the primary back after the graduation of his running mate, he could put up monster numbers for the Comets. If he's limited to just 58 touches like he was at a junior, he'll still have his fair share of highlights, but he won't hit some of the traditional yardage benchmarks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2143606"],"_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-69a73107e91cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beckwith thrived in his first varsity season for Corinth Holders, despite the difficult schedule. He ran for over 100 yards four times during the season, including his varsity debut against North Brunswick. A compact back, Beckwith runs with excellent vision and pad level and has flashed the ability to break tackles, especially down around the end zone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1905582"],"_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-69a73107e920f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers only had 37 carries as a freshman, but he made the most of his touches, averaging over 11 yards per rush and scoring five times. With the departure of Clayton's lead back, there's a strong chance Rogers gets a huge bump in carries. His vision and speed should be an ideal combination for a team looking to reload after a regional championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2143614"],"_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-69a73107e9252"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Towson finished fourth in the Carolina Pines 6A Conference with just under 700 rushing yards on the season, but was by far the most efficient of the top 10, doing so on fewer than 100 carries. He was a weapon out of the backfield, as well, a safety blanket for his quarterback. I'm interested to see if that reliability leads to more touches in a pass-heavy Harnett Central offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1521147"],"_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-69a73107e9295"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've ranked Shaw as a linebacker, but if his 2026 season is any indication, his future is at the running back position. He's a big, bruising back, he's one of the best in short-yardage situations in the region. I'm intrigued to see what he can do with a full offseason of training at running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarence Teewia</strong> | Overhills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727189' first='Creig' last='Matthews']</strong> | Western Harnett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140182' first='Gerell' last='Bogle']</strong> | Princeton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure we don't miss anyone. Let me know on Twitter/X (@whelms21) which players need to make our deep dive rankings. Don't miss out on everything Prep Redzone has to offer. Our 7-Day free trial offer runs from March 5-9.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->