Rising Stars in the Backfield
The 2026 football season is already generating buzz across the Los Angeles Daily News coverage area, where coaches and recruiters are turning their eyes toward a fresh crop of running backs who promise to reshape offensive schemes.
What sets this group apart is not just raw speed, but a blend of size, vision, and the ability to impact the game both on the ground and through the air.
Among the standouts, Jaxsen Stokes of Sierra Canyon emerges as a dual‑threat weapon, having amassed 80.2 yards per game and 12 rushing touchdowns last season while also catching 12 passes for 155 yards and two scores.
Matix Frithsmith from Hart brings a rare combination of power and agility, having rushed for 1,303 yards at an 8‑yard clip and added 25 total touchdowns, a tally that includes both rushing and receiving contributions.
Kyle Fulton Jr. of Paraclete, a key piece of a 9‑3 campaign in 2025, posted 1,249 rushing yards and a healthy 6.1 yards per carry, while also proving his hands with 23 receptions for 241 yards.
Braylen Morgan guided Birmingham to an unbeaten 5‑0 start in the West Valley League, averaging 7.6 yards per carry and scoring 14 touchdowns, a performance that has placed him on several early‑season watch lists.
Marquis Jones, the leading rusher for his team, posted a 6.7‑yard average and is expected to attract Division I offers by mid‑fall, underscoring his rising stock.
Nevada Ford of Oak Park added a versatile edge, contributing 10 touchdowns — five on the ground and five through the air — while compiling 675 rushing yards and a 6.2‑yard average.
Kemir Smith, already a top class of 2028 recruit, averaged 6.6 yards per carry and found the end zone ten times, positioning him as a future cornerstone for his program.
Tabary McKnight, under first‑year head coach Dennis Keyes, has shown flashes of explosiveness, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns, with coaches eager to see his development.
Royel McFarlane of Crespi brings a physical presence, having rushed for 406 yards and four touchdowns while delivering a hard‑nosed style that complements his team’s offense.
Ben Burkin from Viewpoint rounds out the list with a 7‑yard average, six touchdowns, and an unexpected defensive contribution of six interceptions, highlighting his all‑around skill set.
As the season approaches, the convergence of these talents suggests that the backfield battles will be a focal point for both on‑field success and future recruitment narratives.