Serra (Gardena) running back AJ McBean AJ McBean 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB Junipero Serra-Gardena | 2027 State CA announced his commitment to Stanford on Tuesday.

McBean ran for 685 yards with eight touchdowns and had a touchdown reception for Mira Costa last season and recently transferred to Serra.

He also had offers from Fresno State, Hawaii and New Mexico among others. McBean is one of four players from California in Stanford’s 2027 recruiting class and the lone running back.

McBean made a significant jump moving to just outside the top 100 overall and is the sixth ranked RB in the 2027 class. 6’0” 205 lbs. he’s got a well-built frame with a strong lower half. Possesses a good mix of power and speed to be a dynamic ball carrier. Shows he can pick up tough yardage between the tackles with hard downhill running or work to the perimeter and turn the corner to the outside with speed. Flashes quick lateral agility while maintaining speed in/out of his cuts to avoid contact and separate from defenders. Plus top end speed and a sustained second gear once in space to extend gains and finish in the endzone. Runs with good pad level and leverage showing he can lower the shoulder and keep forward momentum to break contact. Like his ball security, protects with two hands upon contact with good timing and strength. Currently holds three offers from Sacramento State, New Mexico, and SDSU.

McBean is a bigger back and will excel in the right system at the college level and has great overall speed for his size. Checking into our rankings as a top 20 player in his position in the 2027 class, he is a violent ball carrier with natural forward, gets behind his pads and is impossible to take down in the open field once he gets going. He is a fluid athlete for his size with good foot speed, short area quickness and vision in tight windows and flashes third level speed to break away in the clear as well. The Mira Costa prospect has a very strong build and powerful frame and offers a nice floor at the next level and should draw plenty of interest from run heavy systems. He currently holds offers from Sac State and New Mexico.

McBean checks into our rankings as a top 20 running back across the state and will excel at the next level in the right system. He is a strong and punishing runner that gets downhill quickly, looks for contact in the hole and is a true north and south ball carrier that is a bruiser once he gets going behind his pads. He shows a low to the ground running style, bounces off tackles in traffic and shows some wiggle and a explosive burst, especially for his size. He should draw plenty of interest from the FCS level and would fit perfectly as either a fullback or bigger tailback in college.