Where the top running back recruits in the 2026 class signed

The 2026 cycle is stuffed with top-notch working again prospects they usually’ve put pen to paper, signing with high faculty soccer packages.

There wasn’t a lot drama with the highest of the RB crop, both. Simply one of many high 10 working backs within the nation flipped their faculty dedication this yr in Jonathan Hatton Jr., who flipped again to Oklahoma from Texas A&M.

Commercial

Of the highest 100 general prospects within the cycle, six are working backs. Under are the highest burners within the class and the place they’re headed to play on the faculty degree:

Faculty: Louisa County (Va.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 12 NATL.

Scouting Abstract: “Gifted runner with a complicated mix of athleticism, fluidity, and instincts as a highschool underclassman. Bodily developed, measuring in at over 5-foot-11 and round 200 kilos previous to his senior season. Registers as a robust athlete, working an 11.11 second mark within the 100-meters as a freshman. Additionally jumped near 45 ft within the triple leap – an excellent mark. Turned a number of dominant seasons as a highschool underclassman, together with a 1,698-yard, 26-touchdown junior marketing campaign that noticed him run for 10.8 yards per carry. Seems to be to be a pure runner. A particularly fluid and clean mover who modifications instructions effortlessly. Exhibits glorious acceleration. Cuts on a dime and makes defenders miss in house. Runs with tempo and instincts. A robust tackle-breaker who runs by way of contact because of a robust leg drive. An outstanding highschool soccer participant who additionally makes huge performs on protection. Has the potential and upside to be probably the greatest working again prospects in a number of cycles.”

Commercial

Faculty: Jackson (Ala.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 13 NATL.

Scouting Abstract: “Three-down dynamo of a working again with spectacular manufacturing mixed with top-tier athletic skill and wiggle to win between the tackles and in house. Verified 5-foot-11, 210 kilos with glorious weight distribution. Has glorious top-end velocity for the place working private bests of 10.73 within the 100m and 22.38 within the 200m. Phenomenal wiggle and acceleration when he sticks his foot within the floor. Has the flexibility to hit the house run each time he touches the ball. Violent runner between the tackles and rubs with glorious pad degree. Averaged practically 12 yards per keep it up 168 carries for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns. Reclassified to his correct age group from the 2027 cycle to the 2026 cycle. Wish to see extra from him as a go catcher and in go safety however seems to be snug catching the ball within the flat and performs with a troublesome mindset. A risk to attain each time he touches the soccer on the subsequent degree because of top-tier athletic skill and imaginative and prescient and might win in short-yardage situations together with his leg drive and tenacity.”

3. 4-star KJ Edwards — Texas A&M

Faculty: Carthage (Texas)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 59 NATL.

Commercial

Edwards on A&M: “A&M remains to be house and the place I nonetheless have the strongest relationships,” he advised Rivals. “A&M has been recruiting me since my freshman yr, so it’s onerous to high these relationships which were constructed over years versus months. My dad has at all times advised me to embrace the recruiting course of since you solely get to do it as soon as, so I’m simply ensuring ultimately I’m giving myself one of the best probability to ensure that house is house.”

Faculty: Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 81 NATL.

Cooper on Texas: “They confirmed a dedication to me,” Cooper advised Rivals. “I simply need to be part of a program like that. I really feel like I’m one of the best match for Texas.” “It’s a very good college and a very good selection,” he mentioned. “Coach Scott is a very good coach; he’s achieved loads of nice growth with guys.”

Commercial

Faculty: Oaks Christian (Calif.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 88 NATL.

Redeaux on USC: “USC has at all times been there, and after they realized they couldn’t let me slip away late final yr, issues modified with them,” Redeaux advised Rivals’ Chad Simmons about his choice. “As soon as they turned it up and made me really feel I couldn’t depart house and that there was no want for me to go anyplace else, USC turned that college for me.”

Faculty: Steele (Texas)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 97 NATL.

Hatton on OU: “The atmosphere at these video games is unbelievable, and it is sort of a household over there at Oklahoma,” Hatton beforehand advised Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett. He rushed for 1,308 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior for Steele. “It’s like a brotherhood and simply looks like house.”

Commercial

7. 4-star Brian Bonner — Washington

Faculty: Valencia (Calif.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 102 NATL.

Bonner on UW: “I actually just like the teaching workers,” he advised Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “I like how coach Fisch runs his offense and I actually like coach Scottie Graham, the working backs coach. He and I’ve a very good relationship and we’ve been constructing that for a very long time. I actually like coach Fisch, coach Graham and the remainder of the teaching workers.”

Faculty: Harvey (Ohio)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 121 NATL.

Alston on USC: “They highlighted the large issues I used to be searching for,” he advised Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “They took me to enterprise courses and defined to me that they’ve one of many high enterprise faculties in America. Within the conferences, they advised me that I’ll be in courses with future CEOs and enterprise house owners each single day. They made it extra private. In a number of the conferences I had with coaches, they placed on my movie and requested questions on my household. The go to undoubtedly helped me make my choice.”

Commercial

9. 4-star Jonaz Walton — Notre Dame

Faculty: Carrollton Central (Ga.)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 129 NATL.

Walton on ND: “Once I first visited there, I felt a distinct vibe concerning the campus,” Walton advised Blue & Gold. “Should you’ve been there, you understand what I’m speaking about. It’s a distinct place — the status they usually’re a fantastic soccer staff in addition to an superior college academically. You’ll be able to’t discover that at such a excessive degree in lots of different locations than Notre Dame.”

Faculty: Forney (Texas)Rivals Trade Rating: No. 132 NATL.

Osborne on ND: Once you consider Notre Dame, it begins with the soccer program in fact however then it’s the life after soccer,” Osborne advised Blue & Gold about why he picked the Irish earlier than saying his choice. “The Notre Dame diploma holds loads of weight. It doesn’t get any higher than Notre Dame.”

Commercial