The Five: #TN2023 Big Play Running Backs

The crop of running backs for the in-state 2023 class is talented with a variety of skills from power, balance and receiving but in this piece, we look at the guys who are the most explosive, the backs that can hit the home run anytime the ball touches their hands. Several backs were worth consideration but here are the five that cracked the list ….. 1. (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="102218" first="Jamarion" last="Dowell"] - Covington - Dowell is a multi talented back that brings a lot of skills to the backfield but his biggest trait is his burst and initial quickness through the line. Once the ball hits his hands, Dowell breaks through with a hurry and the next thing you know is the Chargers back is down field and looking for the end zone. Defenders have a hard time gaining a grasp on Dowell and that’s due to his speed and elusive running abilities. He is also well balanced and can churn through the trash, finding open space. Dowell may be a tad undersized but he runs much bigger and definitely has the juice to find the end zone on a consistent basis. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12919312/619d2eb9f5600a0ac4b52e00">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12919312/619d2eb9f5600a0ac4b52e00</a> 2. (RB) Brayln Taylor - Dyer Co. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285960" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/brataylor-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - The stock for this West Tennessee running back should be on an uptick soon as Taylor is one of the top prospects at his position for the ‘23 class and the trait that puts him at the top of the list is his breakaway speed. The Choctaws star back is a big play waiting to happen whenever he finds open space. Taylor has great burst and vision and once he hits the open field, defenders can’t catch up to him. He is an immediate threat to score the moment he steps onto the field but it’s not just his speed that helps but it’s his lower body strength as well. Taylor is a multi talented guy that should soon see his 1st college offer arrive. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8014688/619d2f0ce97b010a88a3edcc">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8014688/619d2f0ce97b010a88a3edcc</a> 3. (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="102256" first="Jai" last="Hundley"] - Oak Ridge <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285977" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/jhundley-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Playing just a handful of games last season for his Wildcats team, Hundley is an explosive, quick and elusive back that is due for a breakout senior season this year as one of the more athletic backs from the in-state 2023 class. This East Tennessee talent is more of an all-purpose back due to his size (5’9 180) that can beat a defense in multiple ways. He has a quick initial burst that gets him into the open field quickly and on film, Hundley has that make you miss capabilities that gives fits to opposing defenders. This 2022 season will be Hundley’s show in the backfield at Oak Ridge, so expect a breakout year from this athletic ball carrier. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12993536/6138bd63688f1704441550f5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12993536/6138bd63688f1704441550f5</a> 4. (RB) Markel McKinney - Cleveland - McKinney may be an unknown name right now but hopefully after more scouts and coaches view his film and glance over his talents, the bigger his recruitment becomes. This East Tennessee running back sports good size (6’0 175) along with a quick 1st step and initial burst that puts him into the defensive secondary in a hurry. McKinney is a smooth runner that makes it look easy when he is toting the ball. What makes it hard for defenders is the fact that McKinney has speed but also a strong lower base that allows him to push through would-be tacklers. The Blue Raiders senior to be has all the physical traits and athletic abilities that fits into the collegiate game. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14454036/614a964d9a90e411d0149315">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14454036/614a964d9a90e411d0149315</a> 5. (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="273373" first="Mark" last="Smith"] - Ensworth <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-288046" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/marksmith-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - If this guy was bigger, you would already know about Smith but because he is 5’6, this Tigers running back sits under the radar but let me tell you this running back has speed and then some! Smith could be the fastest and most explosive back in this state and should be a key piece on his Ensworth team this coming Fall 2022 season. Smith plays fearless football because he doesn’t let his size determine anything. The moment the ball touches his hands, he is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. This is a hidden gem that will give defenders fits all season long and that might help Smith get into college ball. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11776440/617f444304284b0438318da4">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11776440/617f444304284b0438318da4</a> Five Others to Know: (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="241997" first="A.D." last="Crutcher"] - Red Bank, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="273371" first="Elijah" last="Gibbs"] - Farragut, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="234964" first="Konor" last="Heaton"] - Coffee Co., (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="102282" first="Dawson" last="Marrero"] - CPA, (RB) [player_tooltip player_id="119168" first="Braxton" last="Sharp"] - Brighton