STOCK RISERS: Versatile Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order to be an effective running back in Georgia, you have to help out in the passing game. College coaches love backs who can make plays out of the backfield and there's been plenty of backs in the peach state who have become major weapons in the passing game this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are they?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone takes a look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/khalif-walters/-OPGEZj0EemA0ZFtwg1OMQ/football/stats.htm">Khalif Walters</a> - Osborne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest offensive weapons across the state so far this season, Walters is a breakout player in Cobb County and off to a standout senior season. The 5-foot-11 75-pounder is coming off a terrific game against Clarkston where he carried the ball just six times for 168 yards. He's quick, agile, can break tackles, and has been a consistent playmaker all season so far. He's rushed for over 100 yards in four games this season and has helped a ton in the passing game as well. As a receiver, the versatile back out of Marietta has caught 17 passes for 401 yards, averaging an excellent 23.6 yards per carry. As a rusher, Walters has carried the ball 67 times for 676 yards. He's a back to know about who could lead running backs across the state in receiving this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcus Malone - McIntosh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrated backs in the metro-Atlanta area, Malone is off to a strong 2023 season as a senior and has proved to be a reliable weapon out of the backfield. The long, shifty back at 5-foot-11 175-pounds, Malone is a decent runner who had a big game early in the season against Fayette County where he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Through the first part of the season, Malone Jr has been one of the more versatile backs in the state, gaining over 380 rushing and receiving yards to start his senior season. As a rusher, the Peachtree City native has rushed for 394 yards and six touchdowns. As a receiver, he's caught 28 passes for 388 yards and three more touchdowns. He's an Atlanta-area back to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/brandon-hood/686xnxe6OE6RxUt6M9mxwA/football/stats.htm"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325155' first='Brandon' last='Hood']</strong></a> - <strong>Eagle's Landing Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive 2024 back south of Atlanta, Hood is off to a terrific start to his junior season and has made lots of plays both as a runner, and a receiver. A shifty back with some explosiveness to his game, Hood was recently offered by LSU this week and could see more offers head his way soon. The McDonough native made defenses pay on the ground, rushing for a consistent 6.6 yards per carry so far this season through three games. He's rushed 58 times in his first three games for over 380 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, averaging 127 yards a game. As a receiver, Hood has caught seven passes for 114 yards and another touchdown. He's a back who can make defenders miss, so it's important he gets the ball in a number of different ways, and he's making it look easy so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/tommy-lafayette/DnNtkdLGEeuAzqREozo6lw/football/stats.htm">Tommy Lafayette</a> - Lambert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive young back out of Forsyth County, Lafayette is a sophomore who has started to make plays in a number of different ways for the Longhorns this year. The 6-foot-0 180-pound sophomore has been a productive runner this season, averaging 8 yards per carry in his second season. He's rushing for 84 yards per game and has found the end-zone four times so far this season. His best game on the ground came against Sequoyah where he took off for over 140 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, he's been a reliable pass catcher as well, catching 11 passes on the season for 171 yards and another touchdown, averaging an impressive 15.5 yards per reception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->