Coach Ferrell’s Notes: Virginia’s Top Returning Rushers

Let’s take a look at the top rushers in the state who will be returning next season. All of these athletes are underclassmen, but finished Top 15 in the entire state in rushing for all classes. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_289801" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-289801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/PRZStockGraphic-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> Photo: Prep Redzone[/caption] &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="290135" first="Isaiah" last="Ragland"] | 5’10’’ 190 lbs | Centreville High School | Class of 2023 Ragland finished 2nd in the entire state among all classes with 2,613 rushing yards this past season. He leads all returning rushers by a landslide by averaging 9.1 yards per carry and scoring 30 touchdowns. The 2nd ranked RB in the Class of 2023 was named 1st Team All Met, 1st Team All State, 6A Northern Region Offensive Player Of TheYear, and Concord District Offensive Player Of The Year. He led Centreville to a 10-3 season and the Quarter- Finals of the State Playoffs. Ragland also holds an offer from UMass. &nbsp; Nakia Wilson | 5’10’’ 190 lbs | Marshall High School | Class of 2023 Wilson was the the workhorse for Marshall High School this past season. He ran for 1,526 yards averaged 6.5 yards a carry, and scored 19 touchdowns. He earned 1st Team All District honors, 1st Team All Region honors, won Liberty District Offensive Player Of The Year, and was named All State Honorable Mention. &nbsp; Ryan Barbour | 5’7’’ 165 lbs | Waynesboro High School | Class of 2023 Barbour was the main offensive weapon for Waynesboro. He was the All District Leading Rusher last season, and looks to defend his title this fall. He ran for 1,463 rushing yards, averaged 8.4 yards on each carry, and scored 18 touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 292 yards and scored 2 receiving touchdowns. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="293577" first="Kam" last="Johnson"] | 5’6’’ 140 lbs | North Cross High School | Class of 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="293577" first="Kam" last="Johnson"] is the number one ranked RB in the state for the Class of 2024, and him being on this list give that ranking justification. He ran for 1109 yards, which was the best in the state for 2024 players. He also scored 20 touchdowns and averaged 7.5 yards per rush. North Cross finished the season with a 10-2 record, and made it to the 2nd round of the State Playoffs. The sophomore RB was a key part of that success, and looks to take them deeper into the playoffs next season. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="293578" first="Aslin" last="Shipe"] | 5’8’’ 165 lbs | Broad Run High School | Class of 2024 Shipe is the 2nd ranked Running Back in the State of Virginia. The speedy RB recently ran a 4.6 laser 40 yard dash this spring, and is gearing up for another great season. Last season he earned 2nd Team All District honors, ran for 1,079 yards, averaged 5.9 yards per run, and scored 9 touchdowns. Broad Run went 13-2 for the season and had a deep run into the playoffs before losing in the State Championship game to Varina. &nbsp; Donte Hawthorne | 6’1’’ 200 lbs | Massaponax High School | Class of 2023 Hawthorne is the only QB that makes our list. He earned 1st Team All Area and 2nd Team All District honors, but really imposed his will at the end of the season running for 188 yards, 202 yards, and 217 yards in the last three games of the season. In total, he rushed for 1,123 yards, scored 22 touchdowns, while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Hawthorne lifted Massaponax to a 6-2 record and a first round play off appearance in his first season as a starter.