STOCK RISERS: 2025 Running Backs Off To Great Starts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 class is proving to be very deep and talented across the peach state and we're seeing some impressive sophomore backs emerge week by week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some top 2025 running backs who are on the rise in Georgia...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/charles-williams/ypQOsiVX_UqPO-4XfsSnkg/football/stats.htm">Charles Williams</a> - Early County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down in Southwest Georgia is where you'll find one of the top young running backs in South Georgia. Early County sophomore back Charles Williams has burst onto the scene this year and is off to a tremendous sophomore season in the small-town of Blakely. A powerful, physical back who knows how to break tackles, Williams has rushed for 100+ in each of his first three games this season, leading Early County to a strong 3-0 start to the season.He was outstanding in a week one win over Miller County, rushing for 182 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. In week two, Williams rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown in a win over Seminole County. In week three, Williams had another big game, rushing for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Schley County, carrying the offense the entire night. Look for his stock to continue to rise throughout the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572515' first='Emadd' last='Howard'] - Walnut Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors are off to a strong 3-0 start to the season and a lot of that is due to their outstanding rushing attack led by sophomore running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1572515' first='Emadd' last='Howard']. A quick, elusive back with big-play ability, Howard has been extremely productive so far this year, rushing for 175 yards and two touchdowns in a week one win over Jasper County. In week two, Howard rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns, proving that he's one of the top young backs in the area. He also added multiple touchdowns again in a week three last win last weekend. He's a quick, natural runner who knows how to slash through a defense, and he's doing a lot of that early as a sophomore. So far this season, Howard has 433 yards and 7 touchdowns through three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1080831' first='Javin' last='Gordon']</strong> - <strong>Stephens County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new sophomore back to know about in North Georgia is Stephens County's [player_tooltip player_id='1080831' first='Javin' last='Gordon']. The 5-foot-10 185-pounder out of Toccoa is carrying the load for Stephens County right now and starting to see more and more carries this week. After a decent first two games where he totaled 147 yards, Gordon eclipsed the 100-yard mark the last two weeks. In week three, Gordon led the way in a win over Flowery Branch, rushing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He has his biggest game of the year in week four, rushing for another 138 yards but with three touchdowns in a strong win over Dawson County. His six touchdowns this season on the ground have made him one of the most productive backs across Georgia so far in the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='415050' first='Josiah' last='Allen'] - Wheeler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a new young back to know about in Cobb County, and it's Wheeler sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='415050' first='Josiah' last='Allen']. After a respectable first two games of the year where he rushed for over 125 yards, Allen had his breakout game in week three, rushing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a win over South Cobb. A quick, shifty back with speed, Allen has good vision for his age and knows how to burst through a hold. He can get to the sideline and out-run defenders, and he should see more and more carries with each game. He's young, but he's already shown that he can carry the load and rush his team to victory. With a week off this past weekend, look for Wheeler to give Allen more opportunities to flash as we move deeper into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->