Top Running Back Prospects in Atlanta

In the peach state, if you can’t run the football, you aren't winning many games. While more offenses are starting to open up the playbook and move the ball through the air, it’s still a necessity to move the ball with a rushing attack. The running back position in Georgia may be down this year compared to years past, but there are still plenty of backs to know in the Atlanta area for the 2020 season. [player_tooltip player_id="33892" first="Quintavious" last="Lockett"] - Douglass - Class of 2022 Arguably the state’s top running back prospect in the 2022 class, Lockett is an Atlanta native who has become a nationally-known prospect for the past 12 months. The 5-foot-11 210-pounder has good speed for his size, but it’s his balance, vision, and ability to break tackles with his legs that really make him one of the best backs not only in Atlanta, but across the country. He’s a guy who runs hard, moves the chains, and can occasionally break off a big run. Lockett currently holds offers from Georgia, Florida State, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, among others.   [player_tooltip player_id="33872" first="Antonio" last="Martin"] - Langston Hughes - Class of 2022 Just south of Atlanta, in Fairburn, is where you’ll find Antonio "Mr. House Call" Martin. Another back with a solid frame at 5-foot-10 195-pounds, Martin was very productive as a sophomore last season, rushing the ball 203 times for 1,535 yards and 16 touchdowns. Holding offers from Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, among others, Martin is a good straight-line runner who runs with some physicality. He bounces off tackles and does a great job of moving his legs and staying upright. Martin is so tough to bring down, and if he can get through to the second level, he has enough speed to take it the distance. He’ll be expected to have an even bigger season for Langston Hughes this fall as a junior.   [player_tooltip player_id="33667" first="Cody" last="Brown"] - Parkview - Class of 2021 Ranked as the top running back prospect in the entire state, the big, bruising back from Lawrenceville is a whopping 6-foot-0 and close to 230-pounds. Brown moves the chains, he can carry the load throughout a game, and he gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on. He has a little shiftiness to him, but he’s not the fastest back you’ll ever see. He’s a physical player who embraces contact and can wear a defense out. Brown is great around the goal-line, and he’s coming off a junior season where he rushed 214 times for 1,676 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Parkview star committed to Tennessee in May of this year.   [player_tooltip player_id="33678" first="Phil" last="Mafah"] -Grayson - Class of 2021 Another big, physical back from metro-Atlanta, Mafah is listed at 6-foot-1 225-pounds and is committed to play for Clemson. While he only played in 9 games last year, Mafah proved he can physically play at the next level. He’s not overly fast, but he’s athletic, and he's a long-strider who picks up yards in a hurry. He can power through tackles, he’s dangerous in the open field, and he’s developed a nice stiff arm to his game. He’s tough, hard-working, and dedicated to being the best player that he can be.