Just a quick overview and breakdown of several top uncommitted Class of 2026 Running Backs in the State of Illinois. Again this evaluation is always ongoing and if you feel I'm missing someone make sure to email me edgytim@edgytim.com with any questions/corrections to spellings etc.
Committed Class of 2026 Running Backs
RB Aaron Stewart Warren Township 5-foot-7, 175 pounds (Illinois)
Top 5 Uncommitted Class of 2026 Running Backs
1. RB Maxwell Warner Whitney Young 5-foot-10, 185 pounds 2026- Hands down the state's most in demand running back in the 2026 class. Maxwell, who is holding multiple D1 offers including offers from the likes of Illinois, Wisconsin and Purdue has an impressive mix pf speed, good sixe and strength and Warner jas plus power and vision.
2. RB Jahan Abubakar LW West 6-foot-1, 185 pounds 2026- Abubakar has a handful of D1 offers this spring and his overall speed/size and athletic ability can/will allow him to play a few different positions if needed. Abubakar has track speed along with a frame that will allow him to add more needed weight and muscle.
3. RB Greyson Kelly Batavia 6-foot-0, 200 pounds 2026- Bigger, stronger between the tackles runner who is another player who I feel could draw recruiting looks on both sides of the football. Kelly is yet another hard nosed, physical football player from a program with a history of developing college players. Has Group of 5/high FCS ability.
4. RB Brody Gish Lincoln Way East 5-foot-10, 200 pounds 2026 Was able to put togehter a very solid 2024 season despite playing behind a Division 1 running back in 2024, Gish has a really nice mix of quick feet.first step along with running with power as well as nice change of direction. Gish also has sneaky speed in the open field and schools have started to take a harder look at his this winter and spring. Gish is holding early offers so far from Navy and Air Force.
5. RB Reggie Gray Jr. Morgan Park 5-foot-9, 190 pounds 2026 Another bigger inside runner here who runs with impressive strength and is seldom brought down on the initial hit. Gray Jr. also was able to show good north/south speed in 2024 and his vision to avoid oncoming traffic is another strength here. Has FCS/D2 ability in my opinion.
Others To Watch (in no order)
RB/WR Edward McClain Nazareth Academy 5-foot-6 150 pounds 2026- Speedy and shifty scat back type of runner.
RB Nikolas Kokosioulos Maine South 5-foot-7, 145 pounds 2026 Another speedy and hard nosed runner from a long line from the Kokosioulos stables.
RB Jaylin Green Brother Rice 5-foot-8, 185 pounds 2026- Anotber name to watch here. Has good speed and quickness and his 2024 video was strong.
RB/LB Diesel McFadden Chicago Taft 6-foot-0, 200 pounds 2026- Look for McFadden to end up on the defensive side of the football as say a LB and I will change his position in my next update.
RB/DB Jaiduan Cranford Metamora 5-foot-9, 185 pounds 2026- Anorther speed guy with some wiggle and burst. Cranford is also a multi-year starter and impact performer for the Redbirds.
RB Owen Yorke Wheaton South 5-foot-10, 195 pounds 2026- Does a little bit of everything for the Tigers in 2024 and his overall ability to make quick cuts, read the opposing defense well then run with both good speed and power was impressive. Colleges should look hard at Yourke this spring and summer and I feel he has say FCS/D2 potential.
RB Craig Peacock Jr. JCA 5-foot-11, 160 pounds 2026 Was part of a pretty stacked Hilltopper backfield in 2024 and Peacock runs with both quickness, speed and some power when required. Look for Peacock to become more of a go to guy in 2025 for the Hillmen.
Committed Class of 2026 Running Backs
RB Aaron Stewart Warren Township 5-foot-7, 175 pounds (Illinois)
Top 5 Uncommitted Class of 2026 Running Backs
1. RB Maxwell Warner Whitney Young 5-foot-10, 185 pounds 2026- Hands down the state's most in demand running back in the 2026 class. Maxwell, who is holding multiple D1 offers including offers from the likes of Illinois, Wisconsin and Purdue has an impressive mix pf speed, good sixe and strength and Warner jas plus power and vision.
2. RB Jahan Abubakar LW West 6-foot-1, 185 pounds 2026- Abubakar has a handful of D1 offers this spring and his overall speed/size and athletic ability can/will allow him to play a few different positions if needed. Abubakar has track speed along with a frame that will allow him to add more needed weight and muscle.
3. RB Greyson Kelly Batavia 6-foot-0, 200 pounds 2026- Bigger, stronger between the tackles runner who is another player who I feel could draw recruiting looks on both sides of the football. Kelly is yet another hard nosed, physical football player from a program with a history of developing college players. Has Group of 5/high FCS ability.
4. RB Brody Gish Lincoln Way East 5-foot-10, 200 pounds 2026 Was able to put togehter a very solid 2024 season despite playing behind a Division 1 running back in 2024, Gish has a really nice mix of quick feet.first step along with running with power as well as nice change of direction. Gish also has sneaky speed in the open field and schools have started to take a harder look at his this winter and spring. Gish is holding early offers so far from Navy and Air Force.
5. RB Reggie Gray Jr. Morgan Park 5-foot-9, 190 pounds 2026 Another bigger inside runner here who runs with impressive strength and is seldom brought down on the initial hit. Gray Jr. also was able to show good north/south speed in 2024 and his vision to avoid oncoming traffic is another strength here. Has FCS/D2 ability in my opinion.
Others To Watch (in no order)
RB/WR Edward McClain Nazareth Academy 5-foot-6 150 pounds 2026- Speedy and shifty scat back type of runner.
RB Nikolas Kokosioulos Maine South 5-foot-7, 145 pounds 2026 Another speedy and hard nosed runner from a long line from the Kokosioulos stables.
RB Jaylin Green Brother Rice 5-foot-8, 185 pounds 2026- Anotber name to watch here. Has good speed and quickness and his 2024 video was strong.
RB/LB Diesel McFadden Chicago Taft 6-foot-0, 200 pounds 2026- Look for McFadden to end up on the defensive side of the football as say a LB and I will change his position in my next update.
RB/DB Jaiduan Cranford Metamora 5-foot-9, 185 pounds 2026- Anorther speed guy with some wiggle and burst. Cranford is also a multi-year starter and impact performer for the Redbirds.
RB Owen Yorke Wheaton South 5-foot-10, 195 pounds 2026- Does a little bit of everything for the Tigers in 2024 and his overall ability to make quick cuts, read the opposing defense well then run with both good speed and power was impressive. Colleges should look hard at Yourke this spring and summer and I feel he has say FCS/D2 potential.
RB Craig Peacock Jr. JCA 5-foot-11, 160 pounds 2026 Was part of a pretty stacked Hilltopper backfield in 2024 and Peacock runs with both quickness, speed and some power when required. Look for Peacock to become more of a go to guy in 2025 for the Hillmen.
