To open the list, Kobe St. Hilaire Kobe St. Hilaire 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB/ATH New Milford | 2027 State NJ stands out as one of the most fundamentally sound running backs in the 2027 class. At 5’9”, 190 pounds, he may be a track athlete, but he plays the position like a true running back.

First, his patience jumps off the film. St. Hilaire consistently lets holes develop, follows his blocks, and stays disciplined within the run scheme. Because of that, his vision shines. He sees creases early, hits them decisively, and pairs that with a quick burst through the line.

Once he reaches the second level, he continues to separate himself. St. Hilaire generates yards after contact, breaks tackles against linebackers and defensive backs, and finishes runs with purpose. In the open field, he closes drives and turns opportunities into touchdowns.

Ultimately, he’s a running back first—not just an athlete with speed. That shows in his technique, balance, and consistency. After finishing last season with 161 carries, 1,400 yards, and 15 touchdowns, St. Hilaire enters 2027 positioned for another strong year and continued upward

After a season where he sidelined due to an ankle injury, the talented Kobe St. Hilaire Kobe St. Hilaire 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB/ATH New Milford | 2027 State NJ looks to bounce back in a major way as a junior. Since departing Don Bosco Prep, St. Hilaire now aligns himself with other saints – Saint Joseph Regional to be specific.

In his most recent film we see that St. Hilaire is able to achieve top speed very quickly. He runs with a slight forward lean that will inevitably help him gain cheap and easy yardage in crunch time. I do want to see him protect the ball, pinning it to his chest more frequently, as he bursts through the line. St. Hilaire has shown to be a bit of a weaver when he runs, navigating in-and-out of traffic very smoothly; in addition, he has showcased a stutter step in his arsenal. Lowering his pad level when he runs will allow St. Hilaire the opportunity to make more sudden, devastating breaks when he runs.

A year to watch film, hit the weights, grow, and acclaim numerous track superlatives ought to prime St. Hilaire for the breakout campaign he has been working and praying for.

Kobe St. Hilaire Kobe St. Hilaire 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB/ATH New Milford | 2027 State NJ enters the spotlight this season as he transitions from Don Bosco to St. Joe’s for his first official varsity campaign. The move alone puts him under the microscope, but his explosive skill set makes him an even bigger name to track. His speed jumps off the tape—he’s gone once he finds a crease. However, what separates him is his ability to read and follow blocks. He doesn’t just hit the hole; he understands how to maximize every run, making him a dangerous home-run threat.

Playing alongside quarterback Lamar Best Lamar Best 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB St. Joseph Regional | 2026 State NJ only adds to the intrigue. St. Joe’s runs a heavy dose of read-option, and having two elite athletes in the backfield could give defenses nightmares. St. Hilaire is currently ranked as the No. 3 running back in his class by Prep Red Zone, and this season will be his chance to prove he’s even better than that ranking suggests. With a stacked roster around him, he’ll have every opportunity to make his mark in one of the toughest leagues in the state.