Coming in at number five on my list is Maverick Ashby Maverick Ashby 5'10" | 190 lbs | ATH/RB Ashland Blazer | 2027 State KY , an athlete at Ashland Blazer High School. Ashby impresses me with his ability to stun the defense with his quick execution off the handoff. On the other side of the ball, Ashby stands out with his ability to read the pass and get in prime position to pick off the quarterback. I also like how Ashby can outrun the defense after the catch and punch into the endzone.

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Mav Ashby is another athlete to keep tabs on as he begins to elevate into the high school ranks. The Bluegrass State Running Back/Athlete is a big play machine when he has the ball in his hands. Coming out of the backfield, Mav has the unprecedented ability to find running lanes in the defense and exploit them. Ashby has great speed that allows him to find the edge of the defense quickly on outside run plays. A reclass from the 2026 cycle, Maverick’s breakaway speed is one of the biggest components of his game up to this point If Mav has enough space, then he is going to break off some big runs and score touchdowns with that space. His spee and quickness, is second only to his brute strength. Overall, Ashby is one of the more dynamic athletes that I have had a chance to evaluate. He needs to tack on height to his muscular frame, but if he does, Ashby is someone to certainly keep an eye on.

Maverick is a versatile running athlete who performs at a high level in both the slot and out of the backfield. At the slot, Maverick runs crisp routes and has sure hands when the ball is thrown his way. Out of the backfield, Maverick is one of the more patient backs that I have seen out of this class. He does a phenomenal job allowing plays and blocks to happen in front of him before making his cuts through the line of scrimmage. As a ball carrier, Maverick runs with great balance and vision that keeps him from being tackled after the first hit. Maverick has developed a versatile set of skills early on in his career, which should help him see the field early in high school, in various personnel packages.