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Running Backs – Florida Class of 2027

Last year the state of Florida produced some very talented running backs. You could argue that Derrek Cooper was on par with running backs like Sony Michel (American Heritage, Plantation), Derrick Henry (Yulee, HS), Dalvin Cook (Miami Central HS). Cooper was not the only elite back in the class of 2026. You had Javian Mallory (West Boca, HS) who you could argue was one of the best backs in the country last year. Florida has never had an issue with producing top flight running backs. While there are no so called elite, nationally rated backs there is some quality at the running back position in 2027. We will break down the state of Florida and tell you our thoughts about the position heading into the start of the 2026 football season.

  1. Kelsey Gerald – Santaluces HS -5’10-190 (Committed to UK) Gerald is much underrated. He is a back that can get to the edge and beat a defense to the end-zone. He has the ability to break off long runs. He does a good job of breaking tackles. He has good vision. This kid does it all. It would not shock us to see him have a very good college career.
  2. Tranard Roberts – The Villages-5’11-190: Tranard is a kid that runs hard. You will see him pick up the tough yards. He runs between the tackles unless there is nothing else there. He has a quick first step through the line of scrimmage. He is a good enough athlete to possibly play safety as well. He gives you a weapon out of the backfield as a receiver.
  3. Tyler Reid – St. Thomas Aquinas – 5’8-170 (Committed to Pittsburgh): Tyler is related to Desmond Reid who had a very good career for the University of Pittsburgh. He will follow in his footseps as he also will play for the Pitt Panthers. He is not very big but tell him that, the kid plays big. He can beat your defense in a multiple of ways. He is a threat as a back and receiver out of the backfield.
  4. Amos Bradford – Chaminade -Madonna -6’0-190 (Committed to Purdue) I would not shock us to see him end up the best back in this class. He has size. Bradford can run with power. When he played last year, Bradford would always make a big play.
  5. Omari St Fort – Atlantic Delray – 6’0-180 (Committed to UCF) One thing he displays on film is speed. He has both the size and speed that college coaches covet. He is a prospect that is going to get to the edge and out run a defense.
  6. Steven Alexis – St Pete Gibbs-6’0-205 (Committed to Illinois): Alexis is a patient back. He does a good job of waiting for his lineman to block. He is a back that will run between the tackles and pick up the tough yards. You will see him use his quick feet to make defenders miss in the open field. He is tough to bring down.
  7. Preston Beckham – Lennard -5’10-170 (Committed to Cincinnati) Like the way this kid can cut on either foot. He is elusive. You will see him run wheel routes and beat the defense deep. He has both speed and quickness. His vision is pretty good. He breaks tackles. Once in the open field he pulls away from defenders.
  8. Dorien Jones -Venice HS – 5’11-180 (Committed to FIU): You can’t argue with this kids production. He started on a state title team two years ago as a sophomore. He gives you a back who runs with some power. He is going to wear a defense down. He is the guy you hand the ball to near the goal line or on third down.
  9. Connail Jackson – Cardinal Mooney – 5’10-180: Jackson is a kid who has power. He is not big but good luck trying to tackle him one on one. He has some speed to his game. He will break into the open and pull away from defenders. He is a play maker. Look for him to be one of the leading receivers on his team as well.
  10. Lee Prince – Carol City – 5’8-175 (Committed to West Virginia) Prince has legit speed (10.59 -100m). He is someone that is going to take a lot of runs to the end-zone this year. He is going to be part of a backfield that may be the best in Dade County.
  11. Arwin Jackson – Carol City – 5’10-170 (Committed to App State) Jackson was an intrical part of Chaminade offense the past two seasons. He is not real big but like Prince the kid can flat out run. He has difference maker speed. Prince and Jackson are two backs who can score anywhere on the field.
  12. Tommy Scott – Sumner – 5’8-170 (Committed to FAU) Scott is a productive back. He is another back who is not big but man can he be tough to bring down. He hides behind his lineman and will come out the other side and get into the open field adn pull away from defenders. He does not get caught in the open field. He will also make an impact on special teams.
  13. Segarion Gunsby-Vanguard – 6’0-180 (Committed to Toledo) Not sure there is a college at the G5 level who evaluates better than Toledo. They have had back to back drafts with prospects who have gone high. Gunsby is a kid who fits the bill. He runs with both power and speed. He is dangerous once in the open field. He takes a couple of steps to get to full speed but when he is get out of the way.
  14. Duke Butler -Viera -6’1-210 (Committed to Navy); These types of kids are so hard to come by. He is one of the hardest working players on his football team. He is tough. You will see him run through arm tackles. He committed to Navy. Don’t be surprised in a couple of years if you see him toting the rock for the MID-Shipman.
  15. Ninaud Joseph – Miami Central-5’7-170: Joseph has produced at the highest levels. Here is a back that has rushed and caught passes for over 2,000 yards. He is fast but it will be interesting to see how it translate in Dade County. Joseph is going to get his chance to shine this year.
  16. Caleb Mattison -Bishop Kenny- 5’9-200: Players like Mattison constantly get overloooked. You will see him read his blocks and explode out of the backside. He is a player who is going to create big plays. You will see him run right and cut violently to the left and find the opening in the defense.
  17. Jaydein Pittman -John Carroll – 5’8-170: Pittman is a 10.5 (100m) back. He also can play receiver or defensive back. Pittman is also coming back from an injury. We expect him to make an impact for John Carroll this year. He is someone that needs to play in space. Give him some daylight and watch out.
  18. Ashton Callahan – Gadsden County – 5’11-190: Callahan has the ability to create big plays. He will try and get to the edge. We would like to see him be a little more patient and run some of the plays between the tackles. He has the speed to beat most of the defenses in his area. Problem is at the next level defenders will be able to match his speed and quickness and that edge that Callahan has will no longer be there.
  19. Jahnard Young – Dillard – 5’10-200: Physically, there are not many tougher backs around. Young is quite impressive physically. He is going to take a ton of pressure off Dillard quarterback this year. If Dillard is going to make a deep run, it will be on the back of Young.
  20. Jonathan Bueno- American Heritage Plantation-5’10-180; Before being injured last year, Bueno was a big part of the Heritage offense. He should be close to full speed by the time the season starts. He is a tough kid who plays the game the way it should be played. He is going to be a very good player in 2026.

Other Backs to keep an eye on…..Semaj Scott Colonial (6’2-215), Jalen Parmley -Windermere (5’9-215), Tony Tanner Dunnellon -5’9-215, Kamari Smith – Lake Wales (5’10-170), Travis Smith – Vanguard (5’11-180), Durrell Preston-St Augustine – 5’10-180, Cecil Smith-Columbus (5’8-175): Committed to NIU, Antrell Vance – Miami Killian (6’0-190), Jayden Lockhart-West Boca-5’11-190, Ira Dale -Venice- 5’9-200 (Committed to ECU), Makael Williams -Pace HS-(5’8-190) Committed to South Alabama, Kamren McMillan -Tallahassee Godby- (5’10-190) Committed to South Alabama, Hezekiaj Davis – Tampa Jesuit (5’10-190) Committed to Dartmouth, Kameron Wheeler – Dunnellon -(5’10-180), Darriel Cannon Jr- Gulliver Prep (5’8-170), Ryan Mathis-Miami Northwestern – 5’9-160, Tamauri Collins-Tavares (5’8-170), Antwon Johnson-The Villages (6’0-180), Donte Findeson-Cardinal Gibbons (5’7-170), Keith Smith – Manatee – 5’7-170, Enrique Ordonez Nease -(5’9-170), Antonyo Davis -Beachside -(5’9-190), Shaunqueze Foster Mandarin (5’9-190), Kayin Martin-Blountstown (5’11-170)-Committed to Troy, Aaron Truedell -Lakeland Christian – 5’9-170 -Committed to Delaware, Donovan Richardson-Rockledge-5’10-170, Camden Morton -Creekside (5’9-170)