Under The Radar 2024 Backs On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As everyone knows, if you're a college coach looking for a running back, you can't go wrong recruiting the peach state. There are always under the radar backs who are looking to see some D1 interest come their way, and three running backs in the 2024 class are ready for their time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at who they are...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/hephzibah/hephzibah-rebels/athletes/telly-johnson/football/stats/?careerid=r50950p191s88">Telly Johnson</a> - <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/hephzibah/hephzibah-rebels/football/">Hephzibah</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top overall backs in the Augusta area, Johnson was a touchdown machine last year as a junior who ran the ball better and better as the season went along. A thick, bowling ball of a back at 6-foot-0 215-pounds, Johnson ran through weaker defenders easily last year and proved to bee a massive weapon in short-yardage situations. He can grind out first downs as well as anyone in the area and it often takes at least two defenders to get him on the ground. He bowled his way into the end-zone 23 times last season, showing he's one of the best goal-line backs in Augusta. He scored in every game but one last year, scoring at least three touchdowns in five different games. He also rushed for over 130 yards in five games on the season. In total, Johnson rushed 146 times for 1,205 yards for an average of 8.3 yards per carry. He's shown he's one of the more underrated backs across East Georgia going into next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/waycross/ware-county-gators/athletes/daejeaun-dennis/football/stats/?careerid=kslu1met33nqa">Dae'jeaun Dennis</a> - Ware County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick, shifty back and one of the more underrated backs in Southeast Georgia, the junior from Ware County had a massive season last fall, helping lead the Gators to thee 5A state championship, the first in program history. He's a back who runs with patience, balance, and has the agility and acceleration that makes him tough to handle for any opposing defense in the area. He can score any time he as the ball, and he scored a bunch as a junior in 2022. He led the Gators on the ground during their state-title run,<strong> </strong>carrying the ball 176 times for 1,247 yards and a jaw-dropping 19 touchdowns. He was excellent in the playoffs, scoring 7 touchdowns on the ground in the final three games of the season while adding two scores in Ware County's 38-13 win over Warner Robins in the championship game. He runs hard, can shed tackles, and bound for a gigantic senior season in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Blome – Adairsville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top returning backs in North Georgia for the 2024 class, Blome produced big yards a weekly basis last season as a junior. An explosive runner in a 5-foot-8 175-pound frame, Blome is an above-average athleticism who can accelerate and break tackles past the line of scrimmage. He came to play every Friday night and ran thee ball every time like it was his last. He ended the season with an eye-opening 1,487 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Adairsville native may not be the biggest back around, but he runs hard and breaks a lot of tackles for a back with his frame. He went over the 100-yard mark in eight games last fall while rushing for over 200 yards in three games. He has the ability to take over games on the ground and did it multiple times last season. His best game of the season came in week three against Cass where he rushed for 280 yards and three touchdowns. One of the most productive backs in North Georgia last year, look for Blome to carry the load and light up the stat sheet as a senior in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->