2022 Class Position Ratings: Running Backs

<strong>2022 Class Position Ratings: Running Backs</strong> <strong> </strong> The signing period opens up this week for 2021 but we continue our look at the top overall names in the 2022 class today with a focus on the running backs. &nbsp; <strong>Below is a brief look at the top 5 in the state and other names to keep an eye on.</strong> <strong> </strong> <ol> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59468" first="CJ" last="Stokes"], Hammond School, 5’11, 190</strong></li> </ol> This is was a hard pick because the top two in the state are so good but we go with Stokes because of everything he can do. He is quick to hit the hole and has breakaway speed along with the ability to catch out of the backfield. He is a big play threat who has balance and body control with the ability to juke and change direction quickly. We have Stokes as the best running back in the state by far and he is expected to sign with a P5 program with an offer list that includes South Carolina, duke, Louisville, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. <strong> </strong> <ol start="2"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59479" first="Nemo" last="Squire"], Dillon, 5’9, 195</strong></li> </ol> This was another tough pick because this position is pretty deep in South Carolina this year.  The Dillon product was a 3A Honorable Mention All-State selection in 2020 and he should only rack in more awards next year. Squire has very good vision and second gear to breakaway in space.  He is also athletic enough to hurdle defenders in space with good balance and strength. He currently has offers from Georgia State, Morgan State, Yale, and Arkansas but is receiving interest from another 20+ schools. We expect Squire to end up with a P5 or elite G5 program. <strong> </strong> <ol start="3"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="61071" first="Demetri" last="Simmons"], Goose Creek, 6’0, 180</strong></li> </ol> Simmons was a Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State pick who led his area with 248 rushing attempts along with 1,341 yards and nine touchdowns.  This two-year starter was named the Region 7-AAAAA Player of the Year as well a starter on the basketball team. Simmons has very good balance and the speed to take it to the end zone. He can run inside or outside but one reason he was only third is the lack of production in the receiving game. He currently does not have any offers but should attract plenty of FCS and G5 offers over the next few months. <strong> </strong> <ol start="4"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59474" first="Khalique" last="Holland"], Greenville, 5’10, 180</strong></li> </ol> Many players make these top 5 lists because of an elite trait but Holland is here because he can truly do everything. In 2020 he was used behind the line as a runner, wide receiver, caught the ball out of the backfield, returned kickoffs and punts, and was a solid defensive back. Holland does not have elite burst or twitch but he shows very good vision and can change direction well. He was selected to the East-West All-Star Game back in December where he showed that he belonged with the best in the state. So far he has offers from Campbell and Stetson but that offer list is expected to grow over the spring and summer.  We believe he will likely be a FCS or G5 commit by the end of the cycle. <strong> </strong> <ol start="5"> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31310" first="Tyler" last="Smith"], Gaffney, 5’11, 180</strong></li> </ol> Smith does not have any offers right now but we also expect that to change. He finished 2020 with 472 yards and three touchdowns in just five games while he caught eight passes for 52 yards. This Gaffney prospect has good enough speed to breakaway when he gets in open field as well. Smith could move up the rankings if he improves his strength and develops more moves to evade and break tackles. He does not currently have any D1 offers but we still expect those to come as the process unfolds. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> <strong>Others to watch</strong> <strong> </strong> [player_tooltip player_id="89315" first="Bennett" last="Galloway"], Chapin, 6’0, 190- Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State pick with 1,692 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games.  Runs hard and is not afraid to lower shoulder and deliver a blow to defenders. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="89312" first="Jahleel" last="Porter"], West Ashley, 5’11, 185- Named 5A All-Region 8 and First-Team All-Lowcountry with 1,597 all-purpose yards and 16 total touchdowns &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="59489" first="Amir" last="Dendy"], Pendleton, 6’0, 183- Very good vision and speed who runs downhill. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="89305" first="Zorian" last="Young"], Wren, 5’7, 185- Ran for 278 yards and three touchdowns in four games with a 5.8 yard-per-carry average. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="92206" first="Julian" last="Milligan"], Westwood, 6’1, 207- Only played one game in 2020 but showed flashes in 2019 and is someone to watch next year. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="59483" first="Jonathan" last="Schaffer"], Andrew Jackson Academy, 6’2, 218- Big body back who ran for 537 yards and four touchdowns in nine game. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="59495" first="Frank" last="Thompson"], York, 5’9, 185- Ran for 279 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="103627" first="Ethan" last="Kelly"], Florence Christian, 5’11, 175- Had a dominant junior campaign with 1,397 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground and caught 15 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="91198" first="Terry" last="McKithen"], West Florence, 6’0, 180- Names to the Morning News All-Pee Dee Prep team with 761 yards and six touchdowns on 127 carries. &nbsp; KZ Adams, Gray Collegiate Academy, 5’8, 170- Class 2A First-Team All-State selection with 1,859 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2020. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="103634" first="Marquece" last="Williams"], Keenan, 5’11, 170- Ran for 867 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games to average 123.9 yards per game. &nbsp; &nbsp;