A 2028 athlete that I feel is under the radar that has developed nicely in the 2026 season is Norris running back Jacob Kranau. You do not have to wait long to see how elusive of a runner this young man is between the tackles as his hip mobility surely passes the eye test. The now 5’10 190 pounder is durable thru contact and you can gauge that he’s taken a step forward with his vision with his ability to improvise ahead of the defender, as one that is one of the more instinctive ball carriers in this class. Jacob is one that has great suddenness once the ball reaches his hands and is surely a 2028 running back that should move inside the top 70 in my eyes.

(@JacobKranau)

Sophomore Jacob Kranau Jacob Kranau 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH/LB Norris | 2028 State NE is a sleeper prospect on a Norris team full of great athletes. Kranau earned some valuable varsity reps at RB and linebacker last season, resulting in 219 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, and 10 tackles. My biggest takeaway from Jacob’s tape is that he plays at 100% all the time, whether he is running the ball or stopping the run himself. On offense, he is a tough runner with a strong base, allowing him to bounce off defenders and stay upright. Kranau is also very quick and shifty on his feet, showing he can spin or cut back to avoid tackle attempts. Great vision to find open lanes with an explosive burst to hit his gaps. Jacob also brings the fire to the defensive side of the ball with a tireless motor and non-stop pursuit of the ball. He reads his keys well and has a quick trigger when he keys in on the run. The Titans will lose some players to graduation at both of those positions, so we could see Jacob shoulder a bigger load in year three.