2025 Watchlist: Georgia RBs, Part I
Thanks to its versatility, the RB position is one of the most dangerous positions on the football field. Each individual player has their own unique skill set that sets them apart from the rest. Occasionally, you will find generational players…
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Continue ReadingThanks to its versatility, the RB position is one of the most dangerous positions on the football field. Each individual player has their own unique skill set that sets them apart from the rest. Occasionally, you will find generational players that are able to tie all those things together.
Here, we take a look at some freshmen RBs in Georgia that you need to watch over the next couple of years. There are a handful of players that have already made their mark on varsity, but some that are still waiting to grow into their role.
Donovan Johnson Donovan Johnson 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Holy Innocents | 2022 State GA | 6’1 | Calvary Day
Johnson has not only become one of the best Georgia RBs in the 2025 class, but he is already one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the entire country. After rushing for over 1300 yards as a freshman, it is clear why that is the case. Johnson has a good chance to be one of those special talents at the RB position. At 6’1 200, he could already go out there and hold his own with college players and is bigger than most RBs in CFB. On top of that, he is an extremely patient and explosive runner. He is a twitchy RB that can make people miss, but he is not afraid to run someone over or hit them with a stiff arm. His long strides paired with his explosiveness make him unbelievably fast and difficult to catch up to. Johnson already claims offers from schools like Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Coastal Carolina, and UCF. With plenty of more time to prove himself, Johnson is someone you need to know. Chances are, he will end up being one of the nation’s best RBs.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GVzAz
Player Comparison: Tank Bigsby
HIS PATH CONTINUES…#FBUAllAmerican Donovan Johnson Donovan Johnson 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Holy Innocents | 2022 State GA took home an invite to the All American Bowl on NBC.
Congratulations @4k_Don well deserved! #FBU #GetBetterHere pic.twitter.com/OwdEWP9F4v
— #FBUAllAmerican (@FBUAllAmerican) December 21, 2021
Cameron Bolton | 5’7 | Central
Bolton is still rather unheard of, but he is coming off a huge varsity season of his own to kick off his career. Bolton ran for 849 yards on 5 YPC and added 10 TDs. That was good enough to be the team leader in all of those categories. When you turn on the tape, you immediately notice how elusive Bolton is. He is able to accelerate between the tackles and slip past tacklers with the best of them. He does a good job of getting north and south, rarely does he dance around trying to make defenders miss. Instead, he puts his foot in the ground and gets all the yards he can. Bolton is a slippery RB that runs with a chip on his shoulder and plays much larger than he is. The crazy thing is that he was able to put up that amount of production without growing into his body. As he gets older, he has a chance to be a dominant RB in the state.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fhv4n
Player Comparison: Devin Singletary
Congrats @cam_official1 on being voted 1st teams all-region RB #Lionstrong pic.twitter.com/O4SMd6XHgQ
— Central Football (@LIONSTRONG19) December 6, 2021
Josiah Allen | 5’10 | Wheeler
Allen is another name that is frequently mentioned when talking about the best Georgia RBs in the 2025 class. Allen led his team in rushing last year with just south of 500 yards. On top of that, he added an extra 56 yards in receiving. On film, it is clear that Allen has the key features of an every-down back. He is able to run between the tackles and shed off tacklers, but he is also able to go out for passes and be more than effective as a receiver. Allen is a slippery runner who can make one or two quick cuts and shake a defender. However, what is most impressive is how physical he runs. He generates power from his lower body which allows him to fight for extra yards and have a low center of gravity. Allen’s ability to stay on the field on every down makes him an intriguing prospect to watch. Being a physical runner with a lot of effort doesn’t hurt either.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2GH8H5
Player Comparison: Nyheim Hines
🚨2025 ATH Future Star Alert🚨
Josiah Allen (@yvngsiah1) is a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect from Georgia’s @WHSFootball_. Has the raw athleticism & speed that typically translates to a collegiate-level player. Coaches should add Allen to their 2025 board @RecruitGeorgia pic.twitter.com/YCgm8Vf0jD
— Recruiting Analytics (@RAanalytics) August 11, 2021
Justin Baker | 5’10 | Buford
Baker didn’t have a huge role on varsity his freshman year, but offers from schools like Arkansas and USC have already started rolling in. For that reason, you are likely looking at a blue-chip RB prospect in Baker. Physically, Baker is built extremely well. Doesn’t lack any amount of strength in his lower or upper body. As a runner, he is a patient and elusive back who acts on instinct. Whenever he sees an opening in the defense, he is going to accelerate and burst through it. He does a great job of finding holes in the defense and exploiting them. It also helps that he can accelerate and run with the best of them in space. His size and physicality as a runner make him extremely hard to bring down. At contact, he falls forward and has a pretty nice stiff arm in his arsenal as well. Baker is the kind of back that could get 30-35 carries every game and not lack efficiency. Look for Baker to be one of the most highly sought-after RBs across the nation in the 2025 class.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fsszq
Player Comparison: Kerryon Johnson
Extremely blessed to receive an offer from The University of Southern California !!! @Coach_Davis22 @buford_football @CoachApp35 @USC_FB @Mansell247 @ChadSimmons_ @Coach_KMcDonald @ErikRichardsUSA pic.twitter.com/qTOKwydxXz
— Justin Nkosi Baker (@jbaker1244) January 21, 2022
Chance Arthur | 5’’11 | Rome
Spent his first season at Kennesaw Mountain where he was was a difference-maker on both sides of the football. Arthur ran for 284 yards and added 20 tackles from the LB position. At 5’11 and weighing in around 205 pounds, Arthur certainly looks the part of an elite RB prospect. When you factor in his raw athleticism, there is no question that he has what it takes to be a big-time prospect on both sides of the ball. Still, we project him at RB long-term. Why? His explosiveness and ability to run between the tackles are a deadly combination. His size and body control allow him to bounce off any defender that tries to bring him down. Violent at the point of attack, is not afraid to lower his shoulders and steal a couple of extra yards. Arthur has also shown the ability to catch the pass out of the backfield and be effective as a blocker, which will help him stay on the field longer. Arthur is an athletic freak who has all the tools to be a very effective running back. Look for his stock to rise significantly over the next few years.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2FdNh3
Player Comparison: Zamir White
Chance Arthur 5’11“ 205 Kennesaw Mountain HS shows big-time potential at both the RB and LB positions. Class of 2025 has the skill set and the work ethic to succeed. Great attitude, very coachable and strong. Play maker. All region athlete as a freshman.@ChanceArthur2 pic.twitter.com/kJKm5XJl8A
— Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) February 15, 2022