Under The Radar 3A Running Backs To Know
There are some big-time running backs who had excellent seasons in 3A last year, but there are some who are still overlooked who have a chance to have a breakout season in 2023. Who are they? Let’s take a look……
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Continue ReadingThere are some big-time running backs who had excellent seasons in 3A last year, but there are some who are still overlooked who have a chance to have a breakout season in 2023.
Who are they? Let’s take a look…
Jay Randall – Thomasville
A versatile back with plenty of speed out of South Georgia, Randall is a do-it-all weapon who can be lined up in a number of different ways. He’s one of the top athletes on a talented Thomasville roster and proved this fall that he can be a reliable option at running back who can sneak out of the backfield and make plays in the passing game. Somewhat of a smaller, shiftier back, Randall has dependable hands in the passing game and enough speed to fly past defenders down the field. He hits the hole hard and knows how to accelerate when given space to run. He was productive as a runner all season long, rushing for 943 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season. He was thee lead back for the Bulldogs last year, rushing for at least 80 yards in six games last fall. He ended the season on a strong note, rushing for 80+ yards in each of his last four games. In two of those games, Randall rushed for at least 115 yards and scored two touchdowns in both of those games. He’s one of the top 2024 backs in South Georgia but he’s still not getting the respect he deserves. He’s a candidate to have a massive senior season in 2023.
Darrion Manuel Darrion Manuel 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Monroe Area | 2024 GA – Monroe Area
Between Atlanta and Athens is one of the more underrated running backs in 3A. A productive back with some wiggle, Manuel stands at 5-foot-9 195-pounds and a natural tackle-breaker. He moves well laterally, shows good vision, and was one of the top backup backs in all of 3A last year. He wasn’t a starter so he didn’t go over 1,000 yards, but he certainly flashed when given an opportunity. His biggest game of the season came against Hart County where he rushed 24 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He should be the lead back next season as a senior, so look for him to have a breakout final year in 2023. As a junior last fall, Manuel rushed for 735 yards and found the end-zone 13 times. He finished the season on a strong note, rushing for 153 yards and 103 yards in two of his final three games. Against Dawson County, the second to last game of the season, Manuel scored four touchdowns in a big 35-13 victory.
Ja’quan Bentley – Upson Lee
A tough junior back who knows how to break tackles, the Upson-Lee standout is a powerful back for his size who runs with patience. A shift runner, The Middle Georgia back out of Thomaston has a lean frame at 6-foot-1 170-pounds and ran through defenses consistently all season. It was a tough year for the Knights overall, but Bentley was a consistent runner for the offense and took over multiple games this fall. He’s rushed for at least 80 yards in every game but two all season and averaged over 142 yards per game. In total, Bentley has rushed for 1,426 yards on 205 carries and 15 total touchdowns. He’s also averaged an impressive 7 yards per carry yards. His best game of the season came against Jackson where he rushed 40 times for 311 yards and six touchdowns. He’ll be one of the best backs in the area next fall as a senior.