Top 2023 Returning Running Backs In 7A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Georgia produces high-quality running back every season, and there are more returning in Georgia who ran wild last fall. Prep Redzone breaks down some of the top returning rushers in 7A for the upcoming season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34011" first="Justice" last="Haynes"] - Buford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state’s No. 1 running back prospect, Haynes is a do-it-all back who has run wild so far in his career at Blessed Trinity. Now, the recent Alabama commitment will be heading to Buford to play against the big boys in 7A this fall. Haynes rushed for just under 2,400 yards last fall and 29 touchdowns, proving why he’s one of the top running back prospects in the country. He won’t have to carry the Wolves’ offense on his back the way he did at Blessed Trinity, so he may not put up the same type of numbers he did in his first three years, but he’s still not only the best running back in the state, but he’s the best returning running back who will be playing in 7A this fall. He’s tough, explosive, has great vision, and can score from anywhere on the field. He’s also a threat in the passing game, showing soft hands and the ability to make big plays catching the ball. He can do it all, and he’s going to be tough to stop for 7A defenses throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jai’den Thomas</strong> - <strong>Westlake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Buford, the Westlake Lions are stepping up to 7A this fall, and they’ve have one of the best in the classification running the ball in Jai’den Thomas. A tough and scrappy back at 5-foot-9 and 170-pounds, Thomas lit up the 6A classification last year with over 1,150 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s a slippery back who is tough to contain, and he shows good burst and acceleration when given a hole to run through. Thomas rushed for over 100 yards in 4 games last year and he’ll be asked to carry the ball plenty once again as a senior. His best game last year came against a strong Kennesaw Mountain team where he rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be running behind an excellent offensive line so expect Thomas to have a big season against 7A competition this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jacob-davis/pkF8q_3eEemAzfp8ouYFiw/football/stats.htm">Jacob Davis</a> - Discovery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick back with plenty of speed, Davis is one of the more underrated backs in Gwinnett County coming into the 2022 season. His size may not blow you away, but he was a bright spot for a struggling Discovery team last year, rushing for just under 1,200 yards last year, making him one of the top returning backs in 7A this fall. He breaks plenty of tackles for his size and was a reliable option on the ground all season. He ran against some tough defenses in Gwinnett County just about every week and still managed to rush for 6.2 yards per attempt as a junior. He has a strong combination of burst and balance, and he’ll use that to have a possible breakout year as a senior this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=1e334548-9fdb-4017-a2b2-0002d7e4cf70&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3">Charlie&nbsp;Pace</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp; Colquitt County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top programs in South Georgia, Colquitt County, is home to one of the more underrated backs in the 2023 class in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="330757" first="Charlie" last="Pace"]</strong>. One of the top backs not only in South Georgia, but across 7A, Pace is a twitchy back with impressive footwork and balance. 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 has a lot of “wiggle” to his game and knows how to make defenders miss with ease. He showed great vision last year and knows how to elude defenders 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. With the Packers looking like a true state championship contender this fall, look for Pace to have another big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->