Production Is Everything For Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By now we all know which running backs are among the elite in the state of Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talented runners who have committed or being pursued heavily by colleges and universities across the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Florida has more than its share of gifted running backs at every level, it comes down to production – and while there are 4 and 5 star backs – they may not put up the stats that many other across the Sunshine State do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we did with defensive ends and their sacks and quarterbacks with their throwing yards, today we visit the top 30 running backs in Florida based on stats and not status.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While many prospects will not go on and compete at the elite level in college, they have found a way to put up huge numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we bring you backs who have posted 1,300 yards as they head into the final week of the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior class (2023) is stacked with prospects who put up those big numbers in 2022. Among them are record-setter <strong>Tayshaun Balmir </strong>(5-9, 185, Dade City Pasco County), University of Texas-bound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128013' first='Cedric' last='Baxter'] Jr. </strong>(6-2, 210, Orlando Edgewater), <strong>Jordan Bean </strong>(5-9, 185, Jacksonville Sandalwood), [player_tooltip player_id='128363' first='Xavier' last='Blake'] (5-7, 160, Crawfordville Wakulla), <strong>Clayton Cannon Jr.</strong> (5-9, 180, Parkland |Douglas), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128372' first='Troy' last='Coughlin']</strong> (6-0, 215, Gulf Breeze), <strong>Griffin Derusso</strong> (5-11, 190, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy), heavily recruited <strong>Jordan Faison</strong> (5-11, 175, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest), Ohio State-bound <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127994' first='Mark' last='Fletcher'] </strong>(6-2, 230, Plantation American Heritage), <strong>Jace Grant</strong> (5-11, 190, Aucilla Christian), battle tested <strong>Orel Gray</strong> (6-1, 190, Jacksonville University Christian) and <strong>Malachi Hawkins</strong> (6-2, 200, Marathon).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Class of 2023 runners who have put up the bug numbers include Reggie Heywood (5-10, 190, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian), <strong>Jamarkus Jefferson</strong> (5-10, 215, Century Northview), versatile <strong>John Killingsworth</strong> (QB/RB, 511, 175, Port Orange Atlantic), <strong>Tre Jones</strong> (5-10, 205, Tallahassee Chiles), T.J. Lane (5-10, 195, Middleburg), Nicholas <strong>Lardizabal </strong>(5-9, 160, Miami Coral Reef), <strong>Marcus McCrimmon Jr.,</strong> (5-10 190, Central Florida Christian Academy), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128402' first='Sammy' last='Miller'] Jr.</strong> (5-10, 185, St. Petersburg Gibbs), <strong>Nashaun Pryor</strong> (5-10, 175, Tampa Jefferson), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128410' first='Kendrick' last='Raphael']</strong> (5-11, 190, Naples), <strong>Alex Rosario</strong> (5-8, 160, Jupiter Christian), Dante <strong>Johnson-Turner</strong> (5-7, 185, Mount Dora), amazing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128424' first='Kayleb' last='Wagner']</strong> (6-1, 205, Baker). <strong>Terrelle Weathers</strong> (5-10, 205, Apopka Wekiva) and Doral Academy standout <strong>Mark Wilder Jr.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STRONG GROUP OF UNDERCLASSMEN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As deep as the senior class is with running back putting up big numbers, so are some underclassmen – like juniors (2024) <strong>Nathan Carter</strong> (5-8, 185, Seminole Osceola), gifted<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='404265' first='Rod' last='Gainey'] Jr. </strong>(5-11, 181, Tampa Bay Tech), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942487' first='Jason' last='Patterson'] </strong>(6-0, 205, Sneads), fast-rising <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404264' first='Donavan' last='Solomon']</strong> (5-10, 178, Frostproof) and Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee's <strong>Cole Tabb</strong> (5-8, 185).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 sophomores like <strong>Wesley Trayvon Jean</strong> (5-9, 175, Naples Golden Gate), versatile <strong>Jefferey Jones</strong> (QB, 5-7, 165, St. Petersburg) and talented Lake Placid standout <strong>Keveun Mason</strong> (5-10, 175) are also difference makers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->