Lake Braddock’s workhorse running back Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA is carrying the Bruins run game himself this fall. He gashed Forest Park for 2 touchdowns and 148 yards rushing, Holmes hits the hole with track like speed and explosion.

One of the more underappreciated running backs in Virginia the past two seasons has without a doubt been Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA . Whether it be Patriot or Lake Braddock, when given opportunities this kid has made the most of it. He finally should be the lead back for the Bruins this fall and his speed and vision are nothing to mess with. Holmes had 15 touchdowns splitting carries as a junior, averaging over 6 yards rushing attempt. This fall a number of Division 2 schools should be pursuing him with his track like/game changing speed.

Underrated running back Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA had himself quite the debut last season for the Bruins. Earning all district honors, Holmes accounted for 15 rushing touchdowns averaging over 6 yards per carry. He will likely be the featured back in Lake Braddock’s potentially scary offense. Picking up his second offer from Ferrum College, Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA is a powerful/explosive back. Holmes is a three sport star and has ridiculous breakaway speed, more offers are coming soon.

Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA showed up as a walk in registration on a mission, that being to get colleges to start noticing his play. I’ve been a fan of Holmes’s game going back to his work at Patriot and he parlayed that into a all conference junior season for Lake Braddock. This past weekend he was close to being named MVP and he earned a top performer spot. Holmes tested well and was tough during the 1vs1 drills. His rep I posted yesterday with Alex Lake Alex Lake 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Western Albemarle | 2025 State VA was physical and fun, what I loved the most is Holmes got right back up and kept going. That is the type of competitor he is and it showed all Sunday afternoon. I expect a monster senior season for Holmes, who should take over as the lead back for the Bruins. His off-season is off to a great start with a top performer selection, everyone on hand was impressed.

I thought last week while Lake Braddock offense seems to be getting on track, they could stand to get junior running back Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA more involved. Coach Dougherty must of been listening (just kidding) because Holmes made his mark in the Bruins win over Woodson. The junior had 3 touchdowns on the night and eclipsed the 100 yard rushing mark for the first time in his varsity career. He is nice change of pace back for the Bruins, I expect his role to increase as head down the home stretch.

I wrote about Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA before he transferred in from Patriot but man do the rich get richer with an addition like him. This is what I wrote about him in my underrated gems article last month:

Division 1 bound Jackson McCarter’s heir apparent is  Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA  and seeing him in person, I can attest he is ready to carry the load. He will have to wait another season for more carries (McCarter is entering his senior season) but it wouldn’t shock me to see him involved more offensively this fall for the Pioneers. Despite limited carries as a sophomore Holmes rushed for nearly 400 yards and averaged 9.8 yards per carry, pretty impressive numbers.

While Holmes will have to earn playing time, I could see him being a nice change of pace back from Bordeaux and keeping defensive coordinators up all night.

Division 1 bound Jackson McCarter’s heir apparent is Payton Holmes Payton Holmes 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Lake Braddock | 2026 State VA and seeing him in person, I can attest he is ready to carry the load. He will have to wait another season for more carries (McCarter is entering his senior season) but it wouldn’t shock me to see him involved more offensively this fall for the Pioneers. Despite limited carries as a sophomore Holmes rushed for nearly 400 yards and averaged 9.8 yards per carry, pretty impressive numbers.