RANKINGS UPDATE: New South Georgia Running Backs

Spring practice is finally here across the state of Georgia and Prep Redzone has recently released their latest <a href="https://prepredzone.com/georgia/rankings/2023-rankings/">2023 Georgia Rankings.</a> New players emerged in the latest update, and we are happy to rank a number of different “under the radar” running backs in South Georgia. Here are some new South Georgia running back additions to the latest<a href="https://prepredzone.com/georgia/rankings/2023-rankings/"> 2023 Prep Redzone Georgia Rankings</a>. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=894897e7-352e-4508-9467-9b4503f798d0&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Damarkas</span> Lundy</a> – Irwin County</strong> If you’re looking for a South Georgia back who can run between the tackles, there aren’t many better in the 2023 class than [player_tooltip player_id="330725" first="Damarkas" last="Lundy"]. A strong, compact runner, Lundy breaks a lot of tackles and is deceptively fast for his size at 6-foot-0 193-pounds. He’s so tough to bring down by just one defender and does a good job of falling forward towards the end of runs. He can out-run bad angles by defenders and can leave them in the dust on the way to a big gain. He shows quick feet, burst, and the ability to break tackles around his feet. He does a nice job of staying balanced, so he’s one defenders have to wrap up in order to get him to the ground. Lundy rushed for over 100 yards in 10 games last fall, showing he’s one of the most consistently productive backs across Georgia. He finished his junior season with an outstanding 1,668 yards and 21 touchdowns on the year. Look for him to load up the stat sheet again as a senior this fall. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=1e334548-9fdb-4017-a2b2-0002d7e4cf70&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Charlie</span> Pace</a> –  Colquitt County</strong> One of the top programs in South Georgia, Colquitt County, is home to one of the more underrated backs in the 2023 class in [player_tooltip player_id="330757" first="Charlie" last="Pace"]. He carried the load for the Packers last season on the ground, rushing 201 times for 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also showed he can help in the passing game, catching 18 passes for 207 yards and three more touchdowns. He’s twitchy, shows great footwork behind the line of scrimmage, and can burst through the line if given any space at all. He has a lot of "wiggle" to his game and knows how to make defenders miss. He shows great vision and knows how to zig-zag his way down the field. If there’s space, he’ll find it, and his ability to run with balance and stay on his feet down the sidelines stands out as well. He’s one of the most dynamic rushers in South Georgia, and he was an easy addition to the 2023 Rankings. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34044" first="Ricky" last="Fulton"] – Thomas County Central.</strong> The tackle-breaking machine from South Georgia had another strong season for the Thomasville Bulldogs last season and helped lead them deep into the 2021 playoffs last fall. Sharing carries with senior Malik Harper, Fulton rushed 183 times for 954 yards and six touchdowns. He’s got a smaller frame, but make no mistake, he’s one of the more efficient runners in South Georgia for the 2023 class. He’s strong in the lower body, has good balance, and proved that he can break off a long run. This offseason will be important, and if he can continue to work on his body and take the next step in his development, he could his recruitment take off down the road. He’s expected to be the go-to back for the Thomas County Central Yeellow Jackets this fall, so he’s bound for a big senior season. After a promising season as a junior, Fulton deserved his new Prep Redzone Ranking. &nbsp; <strong>DJ Bell – Pierce County</strong> One of the most productive backs not only in South Georgia, but across the peach state, Bell was the 2nd leading rusher last fall for all juniors. The Southeast Georgia star also led the entire 3A classification in rushing last fall. After leading Pierce County to a state championship as a sophomore, Bell had an outstanding junior season last year, carrying the load and torching defenses week after week. A leaner, quicker back at 6-foot-0 180-pounds, Bell showed great balance, an impressive spin move, and the ability to score very time he has the ball. He’s a natural runner with great vision, but more importantly, he knows how to escape defenders and stay on his feet for more yards. As a junior last fall, Bell rushed 263 times for 1,887 yards (210 rushing yards per game) and 23 touchdowns. He’s dangerous in space with a true nose for the endzone. He’s consistently one of the quicker and better overall athletes on the field, making it easy to add him to the Prep Redzone Rankings.