Kelston Tarver Kelston Tarver 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Russell County | 2026 State AL is an explosive running back for Russell County that put a lot of great things on tape throughout his sophomore season last fall. Standing at 5’11 170, Tarver has a great build and pairs it with some impressive speed, and acceleration that really sets him apart from his peers. Tarver had a great season last fall that featured him causing a ton of chaos on the ground- he ended up totaling 144 carries for 781 yards and 6 touchdowns, with an additional 10 receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown in the air as well. Something I found really impressive about Tarver’s game was his unique blend of his physicality and finesse- he has the ability to run you over and stiff arm you while he’s also able to break ankles and outrun nearly everyone in the open field. Keep an eye on him going forward, he’s got a lot to offer!

An explosive and powerful ball carrier that can use several gears on the same run. Short stutter step quickness in traffic and will turn on the jets once in the open field with true runaway speed. Gets square to the point of attack on outside runs as soon as possible to open multiple avenues for himself. Physical downhill runner that will lower his pad level and create movement against defenders.

Tarver is a strong runner who has a burst to get upfield. With natural feel and patience, Tarver lets holes develop, and then he has the quickness to dart upfield after deciding to go North-South. His strong build allows him to power through tacklers, and he finishes runs well. Tarver has lower body strength and contact balance to maintain his feet while pushing through defenders. The compact build lends itself to Tarver running behind his pads with good knee bend, and he opens things up in the open field to break off long runs.