My final notable 2026 running back to watch in Western Kentucky this season is Jaxen Smith Jaxen Smith 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2026 State KY . Smith led his team in rushing as a junior with 82 carries for 522 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. Jaxen is a shifty ball carrier, showing the ability to make quick cuts in the open field to make defenders miss. He also has shown the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride and the speed to run away from the defense. Smith also played a huge role in the passing game this past season, catching 48 passes for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also made an impact on defense as a junior, finishing the year with 22 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. Jaxen doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have on their radar this season.

Jaxen Smith Jaxen Smith 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2026 State KY is another running back who has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress on Sunday. Smith was dominant in the open field competition against the linebackers, showing the ability to make quick cuts on the dime to make them miss with ease. He also showed the ability to use his speed and quickness in the 1v1 passing competition to create separation. Smith doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is a player who should be on the radar of college coaches heading into his senior season.

Jaxen Smith Jaxen Smith 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2026 State KY is a familiar face on the Prep Redzone camp circuit as he took home Running Back MVP honors at last summer’s camp in Louisville. Smith put together another solid season as a junior, rushing for 522 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a very shifty back who also has the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Jaxen has also proven to be a dangerous threat in the passing game, catching 48 passes for 700 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season. Smith is a very underrated prospect who deserves some attention from college coaches heading into his senior year.

I am additionally impressed with Jaxen Smith Jaxen Smith 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2026 State KY , a running back at Bowling Green High School. Smith stands out offensively with his ability to punch through the defense both in the pocket and from along the edge. I also like how Smith can utilize his strong footwork to juke out the defense and break tackles on his way into enemy territory.

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Jaxen Smith Jaxen Smith 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2026 State KY is a player who began to showcase his talent last season and has continued to do the same this summer. As a sophomore, he led his team in rushing with 69 carries for 464 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 games. Smith is a very shifty ball carrier, showing the ability to make quick cuts on the dime to make defenders miss in the open field. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Smith has also showed the ability to make an impact in the passing game, catching 18 passes for 261 yards and six touchdowns last season. Jaxen doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player who college coaches should keep an eye on going into his junior year.