Top 10 running backs in the initial 2026 Rivals 300 rankings

The initial Rivals300 rankings for the 2026 class dropped earlier this week, and the list is dotted with some of the nation’s top running back recruits.

Of the top 300 players in the class, 27 project to play in the backfield at the next level. And a handful more are right on the cusp of earning that coveted four- or five-star ranking. The group is headlined by uncommitted five-star Savion Hiter, but he is only one of three on the who hasn’t yet chosen a school out of the more than two-dozen who make it up.

Below are the top 10 running backs in the class, according to Rivals:

1) Savion Hiter

School: Louisa County (Va.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 12
Scouting Summary: “Gifted runner with an advanced blend of athleticism, fluidity, and instincts as a high school underclassman. Physically developed, measuring in at over 5-foot-11 and around 200 pounds prior to his senior season. Registers as a strong athlete, running an 11.11 second mark in the 100-meters as a freshman. Also jumped close to 45 feet in the triple jump – an outstanding mark. Turned multiple dominant seasons as a high school underclassman, including a 1,698-yard, 26-touchdown junior campaign that saw him run for 10.8 yards per carry. Looks to be a natural runner. An extremely fluid and smooth mover who changes directions effortlessly. Shows excellent acceleration. Cuts on a dime and makes defenders miss in space. Runs with pace and instincts. A strong tackle-breaker who runs through contact due to a strong leg drive. A phenomenal high school football player who also makes big plays on defense. Has the potential and upside to be one of the best running back prospects in several cycles.”

2) Ezavier Crowell – Alabama commit

School: Jackson (Ala.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 25
About: Recently reclassified from 2027, Crowell has been one of the Alabama’s best backs over the past two years as an underclassman. As a sophomore this fall at Jackson, Crowell tallied 168 carries and ran for 1,964 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also had 258 receiving yards and a pair of scores. The Aggies lost just one game in 2024 and claimed the Alabama 4A state title. 

3) KJ Edwards – Texas A&M commit

School: Carthage (Texas)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 48
About: As a junior, he rushed for 1,789 yards and 23 TDs while averaging an eye-popping 12.6 yards per carry. He showed off his skills in the receiving game as well, adding 30 receptions for 383 yards and 3 TDs as Carthage won the Class 4A-Division II state title. Over the course of his three-year career, Edwards has amassed more than 4,000 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns while averaging better than 11 yards per attempt.

4) Brian Bonner – Washington commit

School: Valencia (Calif.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 62
Notable quote: “I really like the coaching staff,” Bonner told Rivals’ Adam Gorney. “I like how coach Fisch runs his offense and I really like coach Scottie Graham, the running backs coach. He and I have a really good relationship and we’ve been building that for a long time. I really like coach Fisch, coach Graham and the rest of the coaching staff.”

5) Jonathan Hatton Jr. – Texas A&M commit

School: Steele (Texas)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 73
Notable quote: “I have had this feeling for a while,” Hatton told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Texas A&M has been high on my list for some time, but I would say I knew 100% of my decision around a month and a half ago. I wanted to make sure and the more I thought about it, the more clear it became. Earlier this year, it just became clear Texas A&M was the place for me.”

6) Jonaz Walton – Notre Dame commit

School: Central (Ga.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 120
Notable quote: “When I first visited there, I felt a different vibe about the campus,” Walton told Blue & Gold before going public with his commitment. “If you’ve been there, you know what I’m talking about. It’s a different place — the prestige and they’re a great football team as well as an awesome school academically. You can’t find that at such a high level in many other places than Notre Dame.”

7) Shahn Alston – USC commit

School: Harvey (Ohio)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 122
Notable quote: “They highlighted the big things I was looking for,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons when he committed. “They took me to business classes and explained to me that they have one of the top business schools in America. In the meetings, they told me that I’ll be in classes with future CEOs and business owners every single day. They made it more personal. In some of the meetings I had with coaches, they put on my film and asked questions about my family. The visit definitely helped me make my decision.” 

8) Derrek Cooper

School: Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 123
About: Cooper played all of the field for Miami-area powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in 2024. As a running back, he toted the rock 124 times for 905 yards (9.3 YPC) and 13 TDs. He also showed some skills in the receiving game, with nine catches for 156 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he was all over the field with 46 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. 

9) Carsyn Baker – Florida commit

School: Langston Hughes (Ga.)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 134
Scout’s Take: “Baker is a great size-to-speed combination. A guy who can run. Came along impressively late in his junior year as his team was making a run to the state championship game. I think he’s a guy who can hit a home run and is best when he has a runway and can have space to operate as he gets to the second level, where he can pull away. The biggest thing from an improvement standpoint, he needs to improve his ball skills. I think right now, you’re probably projecting him as an early down back. A guy you might have to sub out in passing downs. The biggest thing after seeing him multiple times is just improving the ball skills. I think that would round out his game.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

10) Javian Osborne – Notre Dame commit

School: Forney (Texas)
Rivals300 Ranking: No. 139
Notable quote: “When you think of Notre Dame, it starts with the football program of course but then it’s the life after football,” Osborne told Blue & Gold about why he picked the Irish before announcing his decision. “The Notre Dame degree holds a lot of weight. It doesn’t get any better than Notre Dame.”