10 Pennsylvania running backs to watch this offseason
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2024 Quinton Martin Quinton Martin 6'3" | 200 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA – One of the top players in the country, Martin’s recruitment is one of the most watched in the 2024 recruiting cycle.…
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Quinton Martin Quinton Martin 6'3" | 200 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA – One of the top players in the country, Martin’s recruitment is one of the most watched in the 2024 recruiting cycle. In-state programs Penn State and Pittsburgh are making strong bids to keep the top target in the Keystone State.
Juelz Goff Juelz Goff 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Central York | 2024 State PA – Goff is probably one of the most underrated players in the state in terms of perception and how much he’s talked about. A tremendous running back who shows the skillset to be a big-time playmaker at the next level. He’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-9, but his elite speed makes up for that lack of size. Give him any sort of space and there’s a good chance he’s going for six. Goff is committed to Pittsburgh but it’s still a big offseason for the Central York running back – would love to see what he could / will do in camp settings and there’s a good chance he may rise up our rankings even more.
Jaquon Reynolds Jaquon Reynolds 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Gateway | 2024 State PA – Another running back that might be on the smaller side but makes up for it with his speed and athleticism. We would love to see Reynolds on the camp circuit this offseason and see what he could do against some of the state’s and country’s best prospects. While he is on the smaller side, he shows he’s not afraid to run through opposing defenders either if needed. If he was an inch or two taller, he’d have multiple Power Five offers at this standpoint.
Ethen Knox Ethen Knox 6'1" | 190 lbs | RB Oil City | 2024 State PA – The state’s leading rusher last season, how will Knox begin to build off that season? Our own Pat Weider talked more about him earlier this month. Here’s what he had to say.
“Know plays in an old-school I offense and he was the featured running back in this offense for Oil City. What stands out from Knox’s film is how patient he is as a running back. Several times he was given tosses or long handoffs and Knox was patient and waited for the blocks to be set up and then finally hit the hole. Once he hits the hole this is where Knox is special. He just explodes through it and runs through tacklers. He is also deadly in the open field. Once he gets in the open field, he is gone. Knox is also very good in the passing game because he has good hands and runs good routes. Knox is someone with a big Senior year who should be recruited to play college football.”
2025
Jabree Coleman Jabree Coleman 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB Imhotep Charter | 2025 State PA – The Georgia commit is one of the top running backs in the class of 2025 across the country and this offseason we should get a great opportunity to see what he can do on the camp circuit. He had a strong 2022 season for Imohtep Charter and he enters 2023 in the running for the title of best running back in the state. That battle starts this offseason.
Tiqwai Hayes Tiqwai Hayes 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Aliquippa | 2025 State PA – Hayes probably gets a bit forgotten when we talk about Pennsylvania running backs which absolutely shouldn’t be the case. All he has done for Alquippia and has become a national-level recruit in the process. Hayes is already pretty high in our rankings and has a chance to rise even higher this offseason, his recruitment will also be one to watch.
Semaj Carmichael Semaj Carmichael 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Boys Latin Charter | 2025 PA – I’m personally very high on what Carmichael brings to the table. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back is an offensive dynamo for Boys Latin Charter in Philadelphia. Through his two seasons at BLC, Carmichael has totaled 1, 649 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games against quality competition. Think he could very well be a Group of Five running back at the next level and with good camp performances this offseason, believe those offers could come this summer.
2026
Messiahfdc df Mickens Messiahfdc df Mickens 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH PA – LIke Martin and Wallace-Coleman, Mickens is one of the top running backs in the entire class of 2026. He is already being courted by nearly every major program in the country and was recently at the campus at Penn State. The Trinity running back is going to be a truly special player, a great combination of size and athleticism.
D’Antae Sheffey D’Antae Sheffey 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Harrisburg | 2026 State PA – Right in Penn State’s backyard, Sheffey is a prospect that is having a great offseason thus far and we believe it could get even better in the upcoming weeks and months. He’s picked up multiple Power Five offers this offseason already and more are sure to come. Elite running back who has a chance to be a top five or even top three player in the class.
Marquez Wimberly Marquez Wimberly 5'9" | 185 lbs | ATH Nazareth | 2026 State PA – Wimberly when on the field last season showed his talent and once he’s able to see the field a bit more consistently will start seeing more interest on the recruiting trail. He was at our Stock Up Showcase in January and ran a blazing fast 40-yard dash and is set to return in May where we’re excited to see what he can do to blow us away for a second time. He’s beginning to see interest from Power Five teams but a strong offseason when it comes to camps could do wonders for him this offseason.