2028 TOP RB RECRUITS
College Football Now 2028 top RB recruits features the top rising sophomore high school running back recruits in the world of CFB recruiting! (38)
Updated January 26th, 2026 at 11:31 a.m. EST
Updated January 26th, 2026 at 11:31 a.m. EST
2028 TOP RUNNING BACK RECRUITS
College Football Now 2028 top running back recruits are featured below for college football recruiters, coaches & fans nationally! (38)
S.T.E.P RUNNING BACK RECRUIT SCORING SYSTYEM
S.T.E.P.™ RUNNING BACK EVALUATION BREAKDOWN
(Recruiting → NFL Draft Continuum)
Scout Trout Elite original formula:
(FV) + (BM) + (WB) + (GI) + (AP) + (FT) + (BB) = RB
🟢 S — SUSTAINABILITY
Can the RB survive volume, contact, and time?
Included Traits:
Sustainability is about durability + repeatable violence. These two traits define whether a back can handle 15–25 touches weekly without diminishing returns.
RB Sustainability Score (0–10)
BM + FT → averaged and weighted
🟡 T — TECHNIQUE
How refined is the RB’s craft?
Included Traits:
Technique is about doing the right thing at the right time, especially when the ball isn’t coming to you.
RB Technique Score (0–10)
FV + BB → averaged
🔴 E — EXECUTION
Can the RB turn skill into production against live bullets?
Included Traits:
Execution is what shows up on Saturdays and Sundays, not in shorts. This is where explosive plays are born.
RB Execution Score (0–10)
WB + GI → averaged
🔵 P — PRESENCE
How much stress does this RB place on a defense?
Included Traits:
Presence is about gravity. A back who forces nickel packages, spy defenders, or altered coverage changes games even without touches.
RB Presence Score (0–10)
AP (primary) + Execution modifier
✅ FINAL S.T.E.P.™ RB SCORING MODEL STEP
S – Sustainability Brute Mentality, Freight Train
T – Technique Field Vision, Back Blocking
E – Execution Wiggle Burst, Gazelle Instincts
P – Presence APB Potential (+ explosive gravity)
Total STEP RB Score S + T + E + P = /40
🧠 Why This Translation Matters
🔥 Scout Trout Take
“Running backs don’t fail because of speed — they fail because they can’t sustain contact, process blocks, or threaten defenses without the ball.”
This RB STEP mapping is NFL-ready, portal-proof, and ranking-resistant.
S.T.E.P.™ RUNNING BACK EVALUATION BREAKDOWN
(Recruiting → NFL Draft Continuum)
Scout Trout Elite original formula:
(FV) + (BM) + (WB) + (GI) + (AP) + (FT) + (BB) = RB
🟢 S — SUSTAINABILITY
Can the RB survive volume, contact, and time?
Included Traits:
- BM — Brute Mentality
→ Yards after contact, chain-moving consistency - FT — Freight Train
→ Power through traffic, leg drive, pile-moving ability
Sustainability is about durability + repeatable violence. These two traits define whether a back can handle 15–25 touches weekly without diminishing returns.
RB Sustainability Score (0–10)
BM + FT → averaged and weighted
🟡 T — TECHNIQUE
How refined is the RB’s craft?
Included Traits:
- FV — Field Vision
→ Lane recognition, cutback timing, block setup - BB — Back Blocking
→ Blitz pickup, leverage, assignment discipline
Technique is about doing the right thing at the right time, especially when the ball isn’t coming to you.
RB Technique Score (0–10)
FV + BB → averaged
🔴 E — EXECUTION
Can the RB turn skill into production against live bullets?
Included Traits:
- WB — Wiggle Burst
→ Make-you-miss ability, short-area explosion - GI — Gazelle Instincts
→ Long-speed, pursuit separation, finish speed
Execution is what shows up on Saturdays and Sundays, not in shorts. This is where explosive plays are born.
RB Execution Score (0–10)
WB + GI → averaged
🔵 P — PRESENCE
How much stress does this RB place on a defense?
Included Traits:
- AP — APB Potential
→ Screen game, slot usage, mismatch value - (Execution carryover)
→ Defenses must account for RB at all times
Presence is about gravity. A back who forces nickel packages, spy defenders, or altered coverage changes games even without touches.
RB Presence Score (0–10)
AP (primary) + Execution modifier
✅ FINAL S.T.E.P.™ RB SCORING MODEL STEP
S – Sustainability Brute Mentality, Freight Train
T – Technique Field Vision, Back Blocking
E – Execution Wiggle Burst, Gazelle Instincts
P – Presence APB Potential (+ explosive gravity)
Total STEP RB Score S + T + E + P = /40
🧠 Why This Translation Matters
- Keeps original scouting language intact
- Makes RBs comparable across eras
- Scales cleanly from HS → College → NFL
- Prevents “combine-only” inflation
- Rewards functional football traits
🔥 Scout Trout Take
“Running backs don’t fail because of speed — they fail because they can’t sustain contact, process blocks, or threaten defenses without the ball.”
This RB STEP mapping is NFL-ready, portal-proof, and ranking-resistant.
2028 TOP RB RECRUIT OMARI MURRAY
RB Omari Murray
5'6", 145
Westland Hialeah HS
(FL)
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2028 RB recruit Omari Murray has rapidly emerged as one of the premier names in the 2028 football recruiting class, showcasing a rare blend of athleticism, vision, and maturity well beyond his years. Already a six-time All-American, U.S. Army All-American, and two-time all-star game selection committee honoree, Murray’s résumé is as decorated as it is impressive for a sophomore. The South Florida standout — who was named to the All-South Florida Freshman Team and recognized as the top prospect at the @YouAreAthlete camp in Houston — has also entered the NIL era in style, inking a deal with Seattle Gold Grills. He is also the younger cousin of Denver Nuggets shooting guard Jamal Murray, and that elite athletic pedigree is on full display every time Omari touches the football. Adding to his growing national acclaim, he is an official candidate for the prestigious Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year award.
On film, Murray stands out immediately for his patience and natural feel for the game. His ability to read blocking schemes and manipulate defenders with subtle hesitation or footwork is elite for his age. Like a young Marshall Faulk or Darren Sproles, Murray displays exceptional burst and stop-start acceleration, often making defenders miss in the open field with ease. His balance through contact and compact power allow him to churn out yardage after first hits, making him a consistent threat to turn short gains into highlight runs.
Beyond his dynamic rushing ability, Murray’s versatility as a receiver out of the backfield sets him apart from most running backs in his class. He runs crisp, purposeful routes and exhibits natural hands, making him a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties alike. His football IQ shines in how he anticipates defensive adjustments and exploits space with surgical precision.
Simply put, Omari Murray is a game-changing all-purpose back — a player who can alter the outcome of a contest every time he touches the ball. His blend of explosiveness, patience, and football instincts makes him arguably the most exciting offensive weapon in the nation for the 2028 cycle. At CollegeFootballNow.org, Murray currently stands as the most complete and electrifying APB (All-Purpose Back) prospect we have evaluated on tape.
Scout Trout Elite Update
Running Back | WR | QB📍 School: William H. Turner Technical Arts HS
(Plays at Westland Hialeah Senior HS)
📏 Measurements: 5-6.5 • 145 lbs
⭐ College Football Now — 5★ Recruit
ACCREDITED ACCOLADES & HONORS
🏆 14× Football All-American
🏅 U.S. Army All-American
⭐ UP Next All-American
⭐ FBU All-American (multiple levels)
FBU 7th Grade All-American
FBU Freshman All-American
Offense-Defense All-American
📣 Coach Mac Youth All-American
📣 Hot Bed Freshman All-American
📣 Southern Exposure All-American
📣 Dream Football Classic All-American
📣 All-American Exposure All-American
📣 Peach State Gridiron Classic All-American
📣 NFL Flag & Youth Flag Nationals All-American
💥 Freshman Honorable Mention
📍 8th Grade All-County (Varsity)
🏈 Offensive Player of the Week (3×)
🌟 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year Candidate
🌟 Florida Dairy Farmers 2A Player of the Year
📜 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Honors
All-State
All-District
All-Academic
🏃 NASA Varsity Track & Field Award Winner
🏅 Florida Recreation and Park Association Achievement Award Winner
STRENGTHS & VISION - Omari is a versatile offensive weapon with experience across RB, WR, and QB roles. His consistent All-American honors from youth through freshman levels demonstrate elite competitive experience, field awareness, and adaptability. As a multi-sport athlete with track & field recognition, his explosiveness and athletic profile are elite for his age group.
SCRIPTURAL IDENTITY - Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Omari’s work ethic, humility, and elevated drive reflect his faith-forward approach to competition, preparation, and leadership on and off the field.
OMARI MURRAY 7TH-9TH GRADE STATS
377 carries for 3,182 yards and 43 TD's, 103 receptions for 1,404 yards & 17 TD's, 361 passing yards & 5 TD's, 1,252 return yards & 6 TD's, 71 total TD's.
Named FACA All-State By @FACACoach
CFB offers - Ohio State, LSU, Tulane, Kansas, Miami, Florida Atlantic, Mississippi Valley State, Avila, Warner, Brevard & Judson
CFB programs showing interest - Alabama, Eastern Michigan, Dartmouth & ETSU
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Omari Murray on X!
5'6", 145
Westland Hialeah HS
(FL)
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2028 RB recruit Omari Murray has rapidly emerged as one of the premier names in the 2028 football recruiting class, showcasing a rare blend of athleticism, vision, and maturity well beyond his years. Already a six-time All-American, U.S. Army All-American, and two-time all-star game selection committee honoree, Murray’s résumé is as decorated as it is impressive for a sophomore. The South Florida standout — who was named to the All-South Florida Freshman Team and recognized as the top prospect at the @YouAreAthlete camp in Houston — has also entered the NIL era in style, inking a deal with Seattle Gold Grills. He is also the younger cousin of Denver Nuggets shooting guard Jamal Murray, and that elite athletic pedigree is on full display every time Omari touches the football. Adding to his growing national acclaim, he is an official candidate for the prestigious Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year award.
On film, Murray stands out immediately for his patience and natural feel for the game. His ability to read blocking schemes and manipulate defenders with subtle hesitation or footwork is elite for his age. Like a young Marshall Faulk or Darren Sproles, Murray displays exceptional burst and stop-start acceleration, often making defenders miss in the open field with ease. His balance through contact and compact power allow him to churn out yardage after first hits, making him a consistent threat to turn short gains into highlight runs.
Beyond his dynamic rushing ability, Murray’s versatility as a receiver out of the backfield sets him apart from most running backs in his class. He runs crisp, purposeful routes and exhibits natural hands, making him a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties alike. His football IQ shines in how he anticipates defensive adjustments and exploits space with surgical precision.
Simply put, Omari Murray is a game-changing all-purpose back — a player who can alter the outcome of a contest every time he touches the ball. His blend of explosiveness, patience, and football instincts makes him arguably the most exciting offensive weapon in the nation for the 2028 cycle. At CollegeFootballNow.org, Murray currently stands as the most complete and electrifying APB (All-Purpose Back) prospect we have evaluated on tape.
Scout Trout Elite Update
Running Back | WR | QB📍 School: William H. Turner Technical Arts HS
(Plays at Westland Hialeah Senior HS)
📏 Measurements: 5-6.5 • 145 lbs
⭐ College Football Now — 5★ Recruit
ACCREDITED ACCOLADES & HONORS
🏆 14× Football All-American
🏅 U.S. Army All-American
⭐ UP Next All-American
⭐ FBU All-American (multiple levels)
FBU 7th Grade All-American
FBU Freshman All-American
Offense-Defense All-American
📣 Coach Mac Youth All-American
📣 Hot Bed Freshman All-American
📣 Southern Exposure All-American
📣 Dream Football Classic All-American
📣 All-American Exposure All-American
📣 Peach State Gridiron Classic All-American
📣 NFL Flag & Youth Flag Nationals All-American
💥 Freshman Honorable Mention
📍 8th Grade All-County (Varsity)
🏈 Offensive Player of the Week (3×)
🌟 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year Candidate
🌟 Florida Dairy Farmers 2A Player of the Year
📜 Florida Athletic Coaches Association Honors
All-State
All-District
All-Academic
🏃 NASA Varsity Track & Field Award Winner
🏅 Florida Recreation and Park Association Achievement Award Winner
STRENGTHS & VISION - Omari is a versatile offensive weapon with experience across RB, WR, and QB roles. His consistent All-American honors from youth through freshman levels demonstrate elite competitive experience, field awareness, and adaptability. As a multi-sport athlete with track & field recognition, his explosiveness and athletic profile are elite for his age group.
SCRIPTURAL IDENTITY - Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Omari’s work ethic, humility, and elevated drive reflect his faith-forward approach to competition, preparation, and leadership on and off the field.
OMARI MURRAY 7TH-9TH GRADE STATS
377 carries for 3,182 yards and 43 TD's, 103 receptions for 1,404 yards & 17 TD's, 361 passing yards & 5 TD's, 1,252 return yards & 6 TD's, 71 total TD's.
Named FACA All-State By @FACACoach
CFB offers - Ohio State, LSU, Tulane, Kansas, Miami, Florida Atlantic, Mississippi Valley State, Avila, Warner, Brevard & Judson
CFB programs showing interest - Alabama, Eastern Michigan, Dartmouth & ETSU
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Omari Murray on X!
2028 TOP RB RECRUIT OWEN DESALVO
RB Owen DeSalvo
5'11", 195
Buckingham Browne & Nichols
(MA)
GPA - 3.5
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Owen DeSalvo has quickly emerged as one of the most well-rounded athletes in the 2028 football recruiting class as he already has earned five Division I offers while establishing himself as a premier two-way talent. At running back, DeSalvo is an explosive and powerful downhill runner, consistently churning out yardage with a blend of strength, balance, and burst through the hole. His verified 4.5 speed, confirmed by the University of Pittsburgh, allows him to separate at the second level and finish runs with breakaway capability, making him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Defensively, he is equally impressive, earning preseason First Team All-Prep honors from the Boston Herald as a defensive back, where his physicality, instincts & ball-tracking ability allow him to create game-changing plays in the secondary. What separates DeSalvo is his competitiveness and versatility as he thrives in high-contact situations, shows toughness on both sides of the ball & has the athletic intangibles to excel at multiple positions at the next level. Whether toting the rock downhill as a workhorse back or tracking down opponents in the secondary, DeSalvo’s combination of agility, verified speed, and physical edge make him one of the most exciting young prospects in the Northeast with legitimate Power Five potential. DeSalvo’s rare two-way ability is what makes him such a valuable prospect. While some programs may recruit him specifically at running back or defensive back, his skill set allows him to contribute on either side of the ball and potentially even as a special teams standout early in his career. His verified athleticism, physical style of play, and versatility make him a lock as a multi-year starter at the FBS level, with the potential to develop into an NFL prospect depending on positional development.
COMBINE STATS
40 yard dash - 4.54 (@ PITT Camp)
Broad jump - 9'2"
Bench press - 275 (MAX)
CFB offers - UConn, Brown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Miami (OH), Rhode Island & UMass
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Owen DeSalvo on X!
5'11", 195
Buckingham Browne & Nichols
(MA)
GPA - 3.5
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Owen DeSalvo has quickly emerged as one of the most well-rounded athletes in the 2028 football recruiting class as he already has earned five Division I offers while establishing himself as a premier two-way talent. At running back, DeSalvo is an explosive and powerful downhill runner, consistently churning out yardage with a blend of strength, balance, and burst through the hole. His verified 4.5 speed, confirmed by the University of Pittsburgh, allows him to separate at the second level and finish runs with breakaway capability, making him a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Defensively, he is equally impressive, earning preseason First Team All-Prep honors from the Boston Herald as a defensive back, where his physicality, instincts & ball-tracking ability allow him to create game-changing plays in the secondary. What separates DeSalvo is his competitiveness and versatility as he thrives in high-contact situations, shows toughness on both sides of the ball & has the athletic intangibles to excel at multiple positions at the next level. Whether toting the rock downhill as a workhorse back or tracking down opponents in the secondary, DeSalvo’s combination of agility, verified speed, and physical edge make him one of the most exciting young prospects in the Northeast with legitimate Power Five potential. DeSalvo’s rare two-way ability is what makes him such a valuable prospect. While some programs may recruit him specifically at running back or defensive back, his skill set allows him to contribute on either side of the ball and potentially even as a special teams standout early in his career. His verified athleticism, physical style of play, and versatility make him a lock as a multi-year starter at the FBS level, with the potential to develop into an NFL prospect depending on positional development.
COMBINE STATS
40 yard dash - 4.54 (@ PITT Camp)
Broad jump - 9'2"
Bench press - 275 (MAX)
CFB offers - UConn, Brown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Miami (OH), Rhode Island & UMass
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Owen DeSalvo on X!
2028 TOP RB RECRUIT AHMAD BAH
RB Ahmad Bah
5'6", 160
Osbourne Park HS
(VA)
GPA - 3.6
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2028 RB recruit Ahmad Bah is one of the most exciting multi-purpose playmakers rising through the recruiting ranks & draws natural comparisons to former Villanova and Eagles standout Brian Westbrook. Bah is a shifty downhill runner who demonstrates excellent patience in setting up his blockers before exploding through the hole with outstanding burst. His phenomenal lower-body strength makes him a surprisingly powerful ball carrier, as he consistently breaks through arm tackles and churns out extra yards after contact. On film, his physicality jumps off the screen — whether as a ball carrier lowering his pads or as a devastating lead blocker who embraces contact without hesitation. As a versatile weapon, Bah is just as dangerous in the passing game, where he uses deceptive route-running to slip out of the backfield and create explosive plays after the catch. His combination of vision, toughness, agility, and all-purpose versatility makes him a true three-down back at the high school level and a prospect with the upside to become a game-changing offensive weapon at the next level. Bah’s patience, burst, and vision make him a natural fit in a spread system, where he can operate out of shotgun looks and exploit wider running lanes. His ability to make defenders miss in space would thrive in zone-read and RPO concepts, giving him opportunities to get downhill quickly while also freezing linebackers with his versatility. Because of his elite receiving ability out of the backfield, Bah projects as a highly effective 3rd down back at the next level. His deceptive route-running allows him to leak into the flat, run option routes against linebackers, or even line up in the slot to create mismatches. His explosiveness after the catch makes him a constant big-play threat in passing situations. Like his comparison to Westbrook, Bah could flourish in a hybrid RB/slot role, where his agility and quickness are used to stress defenses horizontally and vertically. Motioning him across the formation or flexing him out wide forces defenses to declare coverage and creates opportunities for him to exploit matchups against slower linebackers. While some programs may initially see him as a change-of-pace back due to his size, Bah’s powerful running style, physicality, and versatility give him the chance to develop into a complete, every-down playmaker. In the right offensive system, he could become not only a dynamic ball carrier, but also a lethal weapon in the passing game and on special teams — making him a potential cornerstone player for a creative offensive coordinator.
CFB programs showing interest - Howard
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Ahmad Bah on X!
5'6", 160
Osbourne Park HS
(VA)
GPA - 3.6
TOP 2028 RB RECRUIT
Scouting notes - Top 2028 RB recruit Ahmad Bah is one of the most exciting multi-purpose playmakers rising through the recruiting ranks & draws natural comparisons to former Villanova and Eagles standout Brian Westbrook. Bah is a shifty downhill runner who demonstrates excellent patience in setting up his blockers before exploding through the hole with outstanding burst. His phenomenal lower-body strength makes him a surprisingly powerful ball carrier, as he consistently breaks through arm tackles and churns out extra yards after contact. On film, his physicality jumps off the screen — whether as a ball carrier lowering his pads or as a devastating lead blocker who embraces contact without hesitation. As a versatile weapon, Bah is just as dangerous in the passing game, where he uses deceptive route-running to slip out of the backfield and create explosive plays after the catch. His combination of vision, toughness, agility, and all-purpose versatility makes him a true three-down back at the high school level and a prospect with the upside to become a game-changing offensive weapon at the next level. Bah’s patience, burst, and vision make him a natural fit in a spread system, where he can operate out of shotgun looks and exploit wider running lanes. His ability to make defenders miss in space would thrive in zone-read and RPO concepts, giving him opportunities to get downhill quickly while also freezing linebackers with his versatility. Because of his elite receiving ability out of the backfield, Bah projects as a highly effective 3rd down back at the next level. His deceptive route-running allows him to leak into the flat, run option routes against linebackers, or even line up in the slot to create mismatches. His explosiveness after the catch makes him a constant big-play threat in passing situations. Like his comparison to Westbrook, Bah could flourish in a hybrid RB/slot role, where his agility and quickness are used to stress defenses horizontally and vertically. Motioning him across the formation or flexing him out wide forces defenses to declare coverage and creates opportunities for him to exploit matchups against slower linebackers. While some programs may initially see him as a change-of-pace back due to his size, Bah’s powerful running style, physicality, and versatility give him the chance to develop into a complete, every-down playmaker. In the right offensive system, he could become not only a dynamic ball carrier, but also a lethal weapon in the passing game and on special teams — making him a potential cornerstone player for a creative offensive coordinator.
CFB programs showing interest - Howard
Follow Top 2028 RB recruit Ahmad Bah on X!
TOP 2028 RUNNING BACK RECRUITS
College Football Now top 2028 running back recruits is an evolving list of top rising sophomores in the world of College Football recruiting. Complete a top football recruit evaluation if you believe you have the skill-set to play at the collegiate level and get recruited into the world of college football today!
TOP 2028 FOOTBALL RECRUITS
Check out the official top 2028 football recruits scouting database by clicking the 2028 Top Football Recruits graphic below!
2028 TOP FOOTBALL RECRUITS
College Football Now 2028 top football recruits were scouted by the world of CFB recruiting and will be competing for what is becoming very limited spots with the evolution of the transfer portal. Check out the list of the Scout Trout Elite pipeline program recruits since 2017 below!
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