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C&C previously took a look at the top 2027 running back class several months back with the full article here, but here is the full breakdown.
Looking back at that evaluation, the SPEEDSTERS group featured several explosive backs capable of changing games with pure acceleration, including Jaden Hatfield (Elkins), Roscoe Dean (Hampshire), Alizah Pittman (Woodrow Wilson), and Reezin Stitt (Wahama).
The WORKHORSES group included Seth Robinson (Elkins), Landyn Carpenter (Philip Barbour), Jace Coleman (Mingo Central), and Chris Williams (Hedgesville), all recognized for their ability to handle major workloads and consistently produce offensively.
The DEFENDERS tier highlighted versatile two-way athletes including Gabe Martin (Bridgeport), Tavion Woods (Riverside, now at George Washington), Cade Compton (Oak Hill), and Treyvon Bearhs (Wahama), each producing offensively while also standing out on defense.
The top five rankings were led by David Robinson Jr. (Capital, now at Herbert Hoover) at No. 1, followed by Gavin Williams (Bridgeport), Braydn Tyler (Frankfort), Willis Wilson (Bluefield), and Kingston McDonald-Gibson (Martinsburg), each highlighted for production, explosiveness, versatility, and long-term upside.
Updates
There has been significant movement across the 2027 running back landscape, beginning with notable transfer activity. The headline move comes from David Robinson Jr., who has transferred from Capital to Herbert Hoover. Robinson had already built strong recruiting momentum with double-digit Division I offers, including increased attention from Ivy League programs, making his arrival at Herbert Hoover a major addition to their offensive outlook.
On the defensive side of this positional grouping, Tavion Woods confirmed his transfer from Riverside to George Washington. While primarily evaluated as a defensive player in this context, his athletic profile adds value and versatility to his new program.
The offseason circuit has produced several standout performances. Seth Robinson (Elkins) was one of the top overall performers at the showcase, pairing strong testing speed with legitimate size that translates well to the position. Treyvon Bearhs (Wahama) posted the fastest 40-yard dash of the entire event, firmly establishing himself as one of the most explosive athletes in attendance. Roscoe Dean (Hampshire) continued his trend of consistent athletic testing, standing out for a second straight year with strong movement skills and overall athletic profile.
Several additional running backs also saw recruiting traction following strong performances. Gavin Williams (Bridgeport) and Gabe Martin (Bridgeport) both earned offers from Glenville State after productive showings. Jaden Hatfield (Elkins) also secured an offer from Glenville State following a standout showcase performance that reinforced his production profile. The most notable stock riser may be Kingston McDonald-Gibson, who emerged as one of the top overall testers at the event, looked physically dominant, and earned an offer from West Virginia Wesleyan.
New Names
One of the most impactful breakout performances at the showcase came from Ian Brown (Lewis County), who posted elite agility testing and reinforced his status as a dynamic playmaker heading into 2026.
Several athletes who may project primarily to defense also showed traits that could translate to offensive usage, including Collin Andis (Morgantown), Connor Rice (Lincoln), and Colson Kinser (Hampshire), all of whom impressed with athletic profiles that stand out immediately.
Additional names beginning to gain momentum statewide include Marshall Holland (Cameron), who is coming off a highly productive statistical season, as well as Cash Nestor (Grafton), who has continued to perform well across multiple event settings.
There are also growing expectations surrounding Davion Joplin (Mingo Central), Austin Price (Pocahontas County), and Blake Edgell (North Marion), all of whom have shown enough early indicators to place themselves firmly on watch lists as the season progresses.