Production Is Everything For Running Backs
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By now we all know which running backs are among the elite in the state of Florida. Talented runners who have committed or being pursued heavily by colleges and universities across the country. While Florida has more than its share…
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Continue ReadingBy now we all know which running backs are among the elite in the state of Florida.
Talented runners who have committed or being pursued heavily by colleges and universities across the country.
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.
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.
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.
Today we bring you backs who have posted 1,300 yards as they head into the final week of the regular season.
The senior class (2023) is stacked with prospects who put up those big numbers in 2022. Among them are record-setter Tayshaun Balmir (5-9, 185, Dade City Pasco County), University of Texas-bound Cedric Baxter Cedric Baxter 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Orlando Edgewater | 2023 State FL Jr. (6-2, 210, Orlando Edgewater), Jordan Bean (5-9, 185, Jacksonville Sandalwood), Xavier Blake Xavier Blake 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Crawfordville Wakulla | 2023 FL (5-7, 160, Crawfordville Wakulla), Clayton Cannon Jr. (5-9, 180, Parkland |Douglas), Troy Coughlin Troy Coughlin 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Gulf Breeze | 2023 FL (6-0, 215, Gulf Breeze), Griffin Derusso (5-11, 190, Sarasota Out-of-Door Academy), heavily recruited Jordan Faison (5-11, 175, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest), Ohio State-bound Mark Fletcher Mark Fletcher 6'1" | 225 lbs | RB Plantation American Heritage | 2023 State FL (6-2, 230, Plantation American Heritage), Jace Grant (5-11, 190, Aucilla Christian), battle tested Orel Gray (6-1, 190, Jacksonville University Christian) and Malachi Hawkins (6-2, 200, Marathon).
Other Class of 2023 runners who have put up the bug numbers include Reggie Heywood (5-10, 190, Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian), Jamarkus Jefferson (5-10, 215, Century Northview), versatile John Killingsworth (QB/RB, 511, 175, Port Orange Atlantic), Tre Jones (5-10, 205, Tallahassee Chiles), T.J. Lane (5-10, 195, Middleburg), Nicholas Lardizabal (5-9, 160, Miami Coral Reef), Marcus McCrimmon Jr., (5-10 190, Central Florida Christian Academy), Sammy Miller Sammy Miller 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB St. Petersburg Gibbs | 2023 FL Jr. (5-10, 185, St. Petersburg Gibbs), Nashaun Pryor (5-10, 175, Tampa Jefferson), Kendrick Raphael Kendrick Raphael 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Naples | 2023 State FL (5-11, 190, Naples), Alex Rosario (5-8, 160, Jupiter Christian), Dante Johnson-Turner (5-7, 185, Mount Dora), amazing Kayleb Wagner Kayleb Wagner 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Baker | 2023 FL (6-1, 205, Baker). Terrelle Weathers (5-10, 205, Apopka Wekiva) and Doral Academy standout Mark Wilder Jr.
STRONG GROUP OF UNDERCLASSMEN
As deep as the senior class is with running back putting up big numbers, so are some underclassmen – like juniors (2024) Nathan Carter (5-8, 185, Seminole Osceola), gifted Rod Gainey Rod Gainey 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Tampa Bay Tech | 2024 State FL Jr. (5-11, 181, Tampa Bay Tech), Jason Patterson Jason Patterson 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Sneads | 2024 State FL (6-0, 205, Sneads), fast-rising Donavan Solomon Donavan Solomon 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Frostproof | 2024 FL (5-10, 178, Frostproof) and Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee’s Cole Tabb (5-8, 185).
Class of 2026 sophomores like Wesley Trayvon Jean (5-9, 175, Naples Golden Gate), versatile Jefferey Jones (QB, 5-7, 165, St. Petersburg) and talented Lake Placid standout Keveun Mason (5-10, 175) are also difference makers.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.