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C&C previously took a look at the top 2028/2029 running back class several months back with the full article here, but here is the full breakdown.
Looking back at the 2029 group, early names included Tyler Long (Huntington), Lynex Williams (Fairmont Senior), and Paxton Myers (Independence), all showing early flashes of vision, burst, and developmental upside.
The clear headliner in the 2029 class is Jaden Black (George Washington), who already profiles as a high-level feature back with size, production, balance, and power that translate immediately, even against strong competition.
The BREAKOUTS group featured Xavier Mack (Washington), Dalton Cooper (John Marshall), Christian Hrapchak (Fairmont Senior), Georgie Mamakos (Linsly), and Alex Cox (Princeton), each positioned for expanded roles and increased production in 2026.
The PROVEN PRODUCERS group included Malakhi Hope (Herbert Hoover), Jeremiah Jones (Bluefield), Lyric Blake (Doddridge County), Brian Poindexter (North Marion), and Javon Letourneau (Roane County), all of whom have already established consistent production.
The top five was led by Travon Okonkwo (Huntington) at No. 1, followed by Brody Kehler (University), Mayshaun Okonkwo (Huntington), Gage Burdette (Woodrow Wilson), and Kevin Myers (Martinsburg), each highlighted for production, athletic traits, and long-term projection.
Updates
Among the 2029 group, Jaden Black of George Washington secured his first offer from Charleston, an early milestone that aligns with growing expectations that his recruitment will continue to expand. Black’s trajectory points toward a strong market developing as more programs evaluate his upside moving forward.
Several prospects significantly elevated their stock at the West Virginia Prep Football Showcase, most notably Dalton Cooper (John Marshall) and Alex Cox (Princeton). Both delivered standout performances, with Cox in particular showing high-level agility and open-field movement that consistently created problems for defenders and highlighted his ability to break tackles in space.
Additional showcase standouts included Lyric Blake (Doddridge County) and Brian Poindexter (North Marion). Poindexter stood out immediately with his top-end speed and explosive acceleration, while Blake offered a more polished and controlled running style, consistently showing vision, balance, and playmaking efficiency.
Among ranked prospects making the biggest leap, Gage Burdette (Woodrow Wilson) has been the most notable. He posted some of the top testing numbers at the showcase, adding measurable athletic traits to a production-heavy sophomore season and significantly strengthening his overall profile. There is also growing expectation that both Travon Okonkwo and Mayshaun Okonkwo (Huntington) will begin attracting increased recruiting attention in the near future based on their continued development.
New Names
Several new prospects have emerged over the past few months through camp performances, updated film, and measurable athletic testing that has put them firmly on the radar.
Brier Archer (Morgantown) headlines this group after recording a sub-4.6 40-yard dash and a 9’0+ broad jump. Those numbers align with what is expected to be a breakout season, as his physical profile and athletic ceiling continue trending upward.
Logan Payne (Braxton County) also impressed with a noticeably developed frame and strong testing results across multiple events, suggesting a significant step forward in physical readiness and overall projection.
Noah Reed (Spring Mills) projects primarily as a linebacker but brings enough size and athleticism that he is expected to be involved offensively in some capacity as well. A similar two-way utilization outlook applies to Sawyer Dalton (Chapmanville), whose athletic profile creates flexibility for how he can be deployed at the next level.
Other names continuing to gain traction include Isaac Barksdale (Fairmont Senior, 2028), Diesel Byrne (Martinsburg, 2029), and Caleb Hall (Clay-Battelle, 2028), all of whom have recently shown enough progress to firmly place themselves on recruiting boards moving forward.