Sophomore Running Backs to Watch

These 2024 running backs are staking their claim at the varsity level and have proven to be serious workhorses out of the backfield. They may not have four stars next to their name, but they are extremely gifted prospects who should be on college's radars in the near future. Here's who to know! <hr /> <em><strong>Bryce Hicks, 5'8", 165, Carrollton</strong></em> A shifty scat-back that is slippery through contact. Hicks shows the speed to outrun angles and swift cutting ability. He's a natural hands catcher and uses serious leg drive to break tackles in space. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14725807/613533b8a681770624a3be0a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Dylan Elder, 5'9", 170, Grayson</strong></em> Outstanding vision to go with plenty of build-up speed. Elder can bounce a run outside the tackles and create chunk plays if a defensive end doesn't set the edge. He displayed a tenacious running style with the ball and looked to impose his will on tacklers. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11742580/601485825ef749130051c149" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Duke Watson, 6’,180, Mary Persons</strong></em> A one-cut north and south runner that gets skinny through tight seams. Watson bowls through arm tackle attempts without losing his stride. I think he's an every-down back that honestly can do it all. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14941954/6155bab5f326f20218b108bf" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Javon Graham, 5'7", 160, Fayette County</strong></em> Graham is a big play waiting to happen, and it can come via the run or passing game. Graham has shown time and time again that he is a major mismatch out of the slot and can create big plays at all three levels. His ability to cut back against the grain is just dirty. &nbsp; <em><strong>Jacarre Fleming, 5'8", 180, Lowndes</strong></em> A tough runner between the tackles that runs behind his pads. Fleming darts through small windows and consistently finishes off runs falling forward. The sheer body control he possesses with the ball in his hands is pretty special. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14996599/6134cf7bd21c6605acd78ae8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165722" first="Makari" last="Bodiford"], 5’11", 195, McEachern</strong></em> A patient runner that can make defenders look silly in 1 on 1 situations. Once into the open field, Bodiford becomes a tough man to bring down, using a mixture of size and strength to overwhelm opposing defenders. He's a special talent who enjoys contact &amp; will deliver the blow on tacklers that get in his way. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14787326/616459275b3d4a04b4e10327" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Kiyon Dotson, 6’, 190, Jeff Davis</strong></em> The first thing I noticed when I turned on Dotson's tape was the pure acceleration. This young man gets into his top gear instantly once he sees a crease. He shows a strong lower-half and is rarely brought down by the first defender. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15330943/5fb2ca381761f50a78ba5a70" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>Jason Jackson, 5'10", 160, Central Gwinnett</strong></em> Jackson is dynamite with the ball in his hands and can create explosive plays out of almost nothing. The body control and natural balance are already evident. Jackson is highly effective as both a zone and gap runner for Central Gwinnett. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14799684/612d03142347cc04bcf2b745" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>