2024 South Georgia Running Backs On The Rise

Photo: Prep Redzone

Matt DeBary March 21, 2023 @ 09:42 AM

If you're looking for an under the radar running back, South Georgia is the place to look. Everywhere you look you'll find a running back ready to break out next season. It's an area loaded with talent, and there are a few juniors bound for monster senior seasons in 2023.   Who are they? Let's take a look…   Jacarre' “ Smoke “ Fleming - Lowndes   A versatile back with some wiggle, Fleming was a very productive running back last year for a Lowndes team that is looking to get back to it's winning ways. As a junior last fall, Fleming quietly had a strong season, making play after play on both offense and special teams. He showed excellent hands out of the backfield as a receiver and was a real weapon in the screen game. He showed good burst and breakaway speed, allowing him to be a threat to score on any particular play. A smaller back, Fleming runs tough for his size. The South Georgia back rushed for 565 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. He also caught 16 passes for 200 yards and three more touchdowns. Of course, his speed and ability to change directions make him a weapon in the return game as well, getting him over the 1,000 total yard mark for the season. He's good enough to play at the next level, and he already holds offers from App State, Western Kentucky, Troy, UAB, James Madison, among others.     Keegan Clayton - Clinch County   Clayton may play quarterback, but since he's an excellent runner, we're going to him in this story with the running backs. It's a position he could play right now, or possibly somewhere at the next level. When he wasn't throwing the ball last year, Clayton was slicing up South Georgia defenses with his legs. He showed quickness and burst, but loves to finish runs strong as well. He's a tough back for his size and has no problem lowering his shoulder to grind out a few extra yards. He's decisive and knows when to run, allowing him to be a dual-threat option for the Clinch County offense. He picks up yards in a hurry, and when he gets to the sideline, he knows how to fly down the field. He shows good pocket presence, and when there's room to run, he can take off for a first down or more. Clayton, as a quarterback, rushed for over 1,000 yards last year and 12 touchdowns. He's a big-time player who loves the game, and he's going to be even better next fall as a senior.   Semaj Jenkins - Lincoln County   An explosive back with impressive toughness, Jenkins was incredibly hard to tackle last year week after week. He may be on the smaller end, but the small-town back out of Lincolnton plays much bigger than his size. He runs with great balance and has a knack for staying on his feet. If you don't wrap him up, he's not going down. He reads the play and knows how to slip through a tiny hole between the tackles. He's tough to contain in the open field and has enough speed to break away from defenders down the field. Still known as an under the radar back, Jenkins is coming off a fantastic junior season where he rushed for over 1,000 yards and an eye-opening 17 touchdowns. He's great in short-yardage situations and around the goal-line, which is really impressive considering his 5-foot-9 160-pound frame. He was also a dependable option in the passing game, catching nine passes for just under 200 yards and five more touchdowns. Like the others, look for the South Georgia back to have a gigantic senior season in 2023.

If you're looking for an under the radar running back, South Georgia is the place to look. Everywhere you look you'll find a running back ready to break out next season. It's an area loaded with talent, and there are a few juniors bound for monster senior seasons in 2023.