Behind the Rankings: 2023 RBs

<strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong> Running backs are always a high commodity here in Mississippi. This 2023 class is no different. From bruising backs to guys that can score from afar, there is no shortage of talent here. Let’s take a look at our top 8 RBs of the 2023 class in this rankings update. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="108971" first="Dante" last="Dowdell"] | Picayune Rushing for over 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns, Picayune’s [player_tooltip player_id="108971" first="Dante" last="Dowdell"] took his game to a different level as a junior. The now No. 1 ranked running back in the 2023 class was one of the biggest risers in the class, a credit to his hard work put into his offseason last summer. Dowdell stands at 6’2" 210 and has blazing speed to pair with his big body. A patient runner, Dowdell has excellent field vision and can easily find the open hole. While his speed is quite impressive, his contact balance and power may be even more intriguing. Dowdell does not go down from arm tackles and has a nasty stiff arm move to get rid of incoming tacklers. This guy is one of the most complete running backs in Mississippi in recent memory. The Oregon commit enters the year looking to repeat as a state champion. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="106162" first="Ty" last="Jones"] | Bay Springs Having his name known since his freshman year, [player_tooltip player_id="106162" first="Ty" last="Jones"] checks in as the second ranked RB in the 2023 class. The 1A state champion and Mississippi State commit is one of the most physically imposing backs in the state. Standing at 6’2" 200, Jones has special speed in the open field and runs with a head full of steam. Jones does not go down on first contact and will lower his shoulder and run through any defender that dares to get in his way. A bit of a long strider, Jones can kick it into second gear when he reaches the second level, outracing the entire defense to the end zone. Also having value as a pass catcher, Jones has smooth hands out of the backfield. Look for the Mississippi State commit to repeat his success from last year as a senior. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="108968" first="Charleston" last="French"] | Amory An 1,880 yard rusher last season, Amory’s [player_tooltip player_id="108968" first="Charleston" last="French"] rose in the rankings to our 3rd ranked spot at running back. French stands at 5’9" 195 and has a solid and compact build. With his lower center of gravity and special contact balance, French is one of the hardest players in the class to bring down to the ground. He has good speed in the open field, but thrives off of making people miss and shaking arm tackles. It is hard to put it into words, but the guy just knows how to get out of trouble as a ball carrier. French currently holds offers from Morehouse College and Southwest, but should continue to garner interest as the year goes on. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="106164" first="D’Mariun" last="Perteet"] | South Panola Finding himself at the 4th overall RB spot, [player_tooltip player_id="106164" first="D’Mariun" last="Perteet"] is another special talent coming out of South Panola at the running back position. Over the last few years, South Panola has had a tradition of putting running backs at the next level, and even in the NFL. Perteet looks like the one up next. He stands at 5’10" 200 and plays with a ton of physicality. Perteet is a great player in the open field who knows how to out run defenders by taking the right angle on them. A hard nosed runner, Perteet easily breaks tackles made by defenders all over the field. It will take the entire defense to bring this guy down. Perteet currently holds offers from Arkansas and Mississippi Delta Community College, but watch for the rising senior to blow up this year. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="108965" first="Antonio" last="Kennedy"] | Choctaw County Rushing for 1,400 yards on the ground and catching 14 balls for 206 yards, [player_tooltip player_id="108965" first="Antonio" last="Kennedy"] checks in at the No. 5 spot in this rankings update. Kennedy is the type of running back that absolutely loves contact. His strong and thicker build helps him shed tackles and lower his shoulder into incoming defenders. While he can be dubbed a "power back," don’t think for a second that Kennedy can’t break off big runs using his speed. A patient runner, Kennedy lets his blocks set up well before taking off into the open field. The rising senior back currently holds no offers, but expect that to change in time. 6. [player_tooltip player_id="108964" first="Jarvis" last="Durr"] | Brandon An electric athlete at running back, Brandon’s [player_tooltip player_id="108964" first="Jarvis" last="Durr"] checks in at the 6th spot in our 2023 RB rankings update. Durr is a part of a talented RB room at Brandon that boasts one of the best duos in the state. Standing at 5’11" 190, Durr is the speed element of this crew. He has quick feet in the open field and can make defenders miss with ease. Durr is special in space and can create a lot of big plays on his own. His speed helps him outrun the entire defense at times and can create some serious mismatches in the pass game. Durr currently holds offers from Memphis, Louisiana Tech, Indiana, and Alcorn State among others and is set to be one of the biggest risers during the 2022 season. 7. [player_tooltip player_id="340735" first="Carter" last="Cockrell"] | Simpson County Academy One of the MAIS’s best backs, [player_tooltip player_id="340735" first="Carter" last="Cockrell"] checks in at the 7th RB spot as a new addition to the rankings. It was easy to see why he came as highly regarded as he did. Cockrell is one of the key players for the Simpson County Academy offense, accounting for many explosive plays on the field in the pass game and running game. The rising senior has great speed in the open field, but what stands out most about him is his ability as a pass catcher. Cockrell runs crisp routes out of the backfield and has natural hands to him. In the open field, he can make defenders miss or just run straight by them. While he currently holds 2 offers to play baseball at the next level, Cockrell is still waiting on his first football offer. 8. [player_tooltip player_id="108966" first="David" last="Williams"] | Sebastopol A two way star at RB and corner for Sebastopol, [player_tooltip player_id="108966" first="David" last="Williams"] is a new addition to the rankings and finds himself at the 8th RB spot. Williams is a special athlete that not a lot of folks have eyes on right now, but that should change with time. At 5’11" 160, Williams isn’t the biggest, but his speed is certainly a difference maker. Williams is a long strider who can take any carry to the house and switch gears to score. He shows good quickness in the open field and some impressive ball skills on both offense and defense. Look for the rising senior to put up another big year on the field and start to have colleges calling his name.