STOCK RISERS: 2025 Touchdown Machines in Georgia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we've seen so far this season, the 2025 class in Georgia is incredibly talented. There are plenty of running backs ready to emerge, and a lot of them have found the endzone plenty so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some sophomores who have had big seasons so far this season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zo Smalls - Savannah Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick back from Savannah, Smalls surely hasn't played like a sophomore so far this season. A speedy back with great change of direction, Smalls has dominated so far and has proved to be one of the most explosive backs not only in the area, but in the entire state for the 2025 class. In week one, Smalls only carried the ball six times, but he went for 125 yards and two touchdowns. In week two, Smalls carried the ball just five times but went for 130 yards and four touchdowns. After finding the endzone again in week three, Smalls has found the endzone often so far through three games as a junior. He's also scored on a kick return and as a receiver, giving him 9 total touchdowns so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265189' first='Zeke' last='Clanton'] - Lanier Christian Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young backs across the state, the private school playmaker from Flowery Branch is on the smaller side, but he plays much bigger than his size. He's incredibly quick, shifty, and can change directions on a dime. He eludes tacklers with ease, and defensively, has a true nose for the football. He's versatility, agile, and has found the end-zone in multiple ways so far this season. Clanton has rushed for 262 yards through three games this season with six rushing touchdowns. He's also scored a touchdown as a receiver and took an INT back for a touchdown as well. A two-way player, he's excellent with the ball in his hands and is one of the state's leading touchdown performances in the 2025 class, scoring eight total touchdowns so far this season.</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>Nick Woodford - Northeast</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young backs in Middle Georgia, Woodford has been brilliant so far as a sophomore, running through three touch defenses so far in the 2022 season. Against Mary Persons, another quality team in Middle Georgia, Woodford rushed for over 100 yards and one touchdown. Against Fitzgerald, a powerhouse in 2A with state champion aspirations, Woodford rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns. In his third game, Woodford ran through Carver, piling up 238 yards and three more touchdowns on the ground. His seven total touchdowns make him towards the top of the leaderboard across the state in the 2025 class. He's tough, elusive, and knows how to find the endzone when given a sliver of space to run. He shows easy D1 potential and could earn some offers later this fall if he keeps running the way he has through the first three games of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->