Top Returning Athens Area Running Backs
It’s hard to find another state that produces running backs like the peach state. Top college programs across the country flock to Georgia each year in search of their future running. More often than not, they find the back they’re…
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Continue ReadingIt’s hard to find another state that produces running backs like the peach state. Top college programs across the country flock to Georgia each year in search of their future running. More often than not, they find the back they’re looking for. The state once again is loaded with running back talent, and there are quite a few in the Athens area who are seeing their stock rise more and more each day.
Here are a few returning backs in the Athens area who are seeing more and more interest coming their way…
William Richardson – Clarke Central
He may have had to share carries with Felix Braddy Jr all season, but Richardson was extremely productive last year as a junior. The 5-foot-10 210-pounder led the team in rushing last season with 661 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. The big, strong back has a nose for the end-zone and always found a way to keep the chins moving. He’s not the fastest back in the area, but he’s a tough runner up the middle and consistently finds a way to fall forward after every run. He’s great in the red-zone and was able to pick up 5.3 yards per carry last year. If he can work on his speed and sudden quickness, Richardson could be another weapon again for Clark Central. He still might be sharing carries next year, but Richardson should still be one of the backs in the Athens area this fall.
Sammy Brown Sammy Brown 6'2" | 225 lbs | ATH Jefferson | 2024 State GA – Jefferson
Brown, a powerful 6-foot-2 205-pounder, is coming off a sensational freshman season where he was named Region 8-A Offensive POY after rushing for 1,368 yards and scoring 19 total touchdowns. One of the more productive backs in the entire state last year, Brown is a bowling-ball of a running back and a tackle-breaking machine. He has great lower body strength, balance, and impressive burst in the open field. He’s a physical back with speed, and he holds major offers already from Georgia, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His best traits are his strength and physicality, something that he showed a lot of last year as a freshman. The Dragons are already loaded on offense, and now they have Brown to pound the rock and possibly play some linebacker as well. Look for Brown to be one of the region’s leading rushers in 2021.
The Oconee County Warriors had another outstanding season last year, but came up just a little short in the state championship game against Pierce County. A big reason for the team’s success was because of the play of Jones. The sophmore had a big season as a sophomore and led the team in rushing with 835 yards and 7 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 180-pounder isn’t a track star, but he’s a natural runner with great balance and the ability to break tackles. He shows some shiftiness to his game and has impressive one-cut ability. He gets down-hill in a hurry and is a good runner in the open field. He’s strong in the upper body and tough to bring down when being tackled up high. Coming off a great sophomore season, Jones has the opportunity to be one of the best in 3A as a junior this fall.