2023 Rankings: Running Backs Lighting Up Their Offenses (Part 2)
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Productive tailbacks are game changers. They chew up yards and clock and get to the end zones. And some doing it better than most. In Part 2 of our look at the best running backs in South Carolina’s Class of…
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Continue ReadingProductive tailbacks are game changers.
They chew up yards and clock and get to the end zones. And some doing it better than most.
In Part 2 of our look at the best running backs in South Carolina’s Class of 2023, we’ve got four players who gave us plenty of evidence that what we saw last fall was only the beginning for these potential top-flight ball carriers.
A’Chean Durant A’Chean Durant 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB McCormick | 2023 State SCSchool: McCormick
Analysis: Durant has a rare combination of qualities for a running back. First, he is patient behind his blockers, using quick steps to reassess necessary direction changes. But when he gets to the open field, his strides instantly spread, allowing his speed to take over from there.
Naahzeikial Mays Naahzeikial Mays 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Brookland-Cayce | 2023 State SCSchool: Irmo
Analysis: Mays isn’t huge, tipping the scales at just 175 pounds, but he is a hard-nosed runner who only shies away from contact when he sees pure daylight by going around instead of through a defender. His progress has been well-documented for years, and he’s staying on the right track.
Vaughn Blue Vaughn Blue 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2023 State SCSchool: Oceanside Collegiate
Analysis: Contrary to some of the Landsharks’ bloated scores, this isn’t some air-raid offense. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Leading the way last year was Blue, who averaged 7.4 yards per carry and reached the end zone 12 times (10 rushing) in a pandemic-shortened season.
Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC (Pictured above)
School: Dutch Fork
Analysis: How much does Tom “All He Does Is Win Championships” Knotts trust his sophomore running back? Green got 117 carries (by far a team high) last fall. He scored 13 touchdowns and, you guessed it, helped his team earn yet another Class 5A title last fall.