Breakout 2025 Running Backs In North Georgia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is over, but it's never too early to start talking about what could happen next season. In North Georgia, there are plenty of backs who are coming off big sophomore seasons and ready to have a breakout year in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are they? Let's take a look…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='339671' first='Justin' last='Baker'] - Buford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top sophomore backs in Gwinnett County this year, Baker performed well all season in a reserve role, but with star running back [player_tooltip player_id='34011' first='Justice' last='Haynes'] headed to Alabama, the Wolves will look to Baker to help carry the load next season. He already showed his easy D1 talent this past fall, proving to be a reliable option in the run game. The sophomore runs hard, can make defenders miss down the field, and shows natural vision when looking for running lanes. He shows burst, quick feet, and the ability to fall forward at thee next of runs. He's a tough back to push backwards, making him a dependable option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He performed well last year and has a chance to have a true breakout season as a junior next year. He already holds impressive D1 offers, and more are likely to come over the next several months. Look for him to climb the running back list in Georgia for 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>A quick, shifty back with great balance, Allen plays a lot bigger than his size and ran wild on opposing defenses all season long this year. The Cobb County native was 2nd among sophomore backs in rushing this season, rushing for 1,751 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. He has breakaway speed and knows how to slide through small creases in the trenches. He's an outstanding runner in the open field and can take off for a big run on any particular play. He rushed for over 100 yards in seven different games and eclipsed thee 200-yard mark four different times. His biggest game of the season came against Cherokee where he rushed for 344 yards and three touchdowns. He showed a lot of promise last season and should see an increase in numbers next year as a junior. He rushed for just under 160 yards per game last fall with an impressive 8.4 yards peer attempt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321491' first='Chance' last='Arthur'] - Rome</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A do-it-all back with good burst, Arthur is off to a solid high school career and played plenty at running back for thee powerful Rome Wolves last year as a sophomore. He's a physical, back with speed, and he runs really well between the tackles. He's a natural runner who is only scratching the surface of his potential. He shows soft hands out of the backfield and can make a defender miss in space. He breaks a lot of tackles, but he's agile as well for his 5-foot-11 205-pound frame. He's physically put together with a natural running style. He accounted for 550 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season, leading Rome to the 6A final four. Look for him to get even more carries and opportunities to light up the stat sheet next year as a junior. He has D1 potential, and his stock will only rise during the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->