Scouting The Class: #TN2024 East TN RB’s

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Continuing our in-depth look at the offensive talent from the #TN2024 recruiting class, here we begin our look at the running backs, starting out East with some highly talented ball carriers. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["150272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMills is a between the tackles runner with great patience and the ability to burst quickly into the open field. His vision is top notch as he allows his blockers to do their work and simply find the hole that allows him to move forward. The Patriots senior back is also physically well built and tough to bring down. You can't arm tackle this guy and he stays balanced when taking on would be tacklers. He also shows the upside as a solid pass blocker on the collegiate level. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhile Mills has enough speed to get the job done, he isn't the burner as some other backs are throughout the state. He could also develop more agility within his lower base, which could help his explosion. Adding more speed and flexibility this offseason will be key towards boosting his stock further. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["625617"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGoins had a breakout season as a junior and the lead back for the Dragons where he displayed his speed and natural athletic abilities. Goins is a smooth runner who glides and cuts very well. He shows excellent vision, especially in the open field while sporting a nice initial burst when finding the hole. Goins has breakaway speed once he hits the open and is an excellent receiver coming out of the backfield. The Dragons senior back also has nice size and a frame that can form nicely on the next level. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere aren't too many holes in this guy's game but he can definitely enhance and improve his skill set much further. Goins does need to keep getting bigger, adding more girth to his frame, especially his upper body. Working on his lower base agility and explosion would be two area's to keep enhancing as well. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["301359"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eSporting great size and low tread on his tires, LaDue is one of the more interesting running back talents in our #TN2024 class and someone that could have a monster breakout senior year. LaDue is a smooth, easy moving runner that provides a nice mix of athleticism and physicality. He has the power and size to lower his shoulder and run you over or run around the defender with his deceptive speed. He also shows explosive traits on film and a burst that allows him to get into the open field quickly. Pass blocking could also become a strength for LaDue over time.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eLaDue doesn't have a lot of experience running the ball as the lead guy, so there is much to learn about this East Tennessee back. Adding more girth and strength is critical as LaDue should take on a heavy load this year and he needs to remain healthy throughout the season. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["277792"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe leading returning rusher from the East TN region, Johnson IV is a powerful, physical runner that finds a hole and quickly attacks. He hardly hesitates when diagnosing his path and once he gets into the open, the Bobcats running back shows nice burst and deceptive speed. Johnson IV also shows on film good lower base agile movements and shifty feet. If you want a guy to churn out tough yards in the mesh, Johnson IV is a great option. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJohnson IV isn't the biggest of guys in height and continued work on his body must be done. He also needs continued work with his overall speed and explosion. Playing in a run based offense, Johnson IV isn't asked too much to pass block or catch the ball too much either, so development in those area's need work too. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["741423"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eLast year for the Wildcats, Dozier had to share carries but this Fall, look for this guy to bust out as one of the top backs in the state. This is an explosive back with breakaway speed and the ability to find open holes with defenders surrounding him. Dozier is a one cut and gone kind of running back that is hard to catch up to once he hits the open field. His lower base is also quite strong as well. Dozier shows nice balance and strength within his lower body and the ability to shed tackles and keep moving forward. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAdded strength and development with his pass blocking are two places that I feel Dozier could work on the most this offseason. More girth up top would allow this East TN back to not only be a big threat runner but also someone that could run between the tackles as well. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["433125"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eA big back with a bruising style of running, Moog was a key component in the Mavs state title run last year and his role only looks to expand this coming Fall. This is a downhill runner that will lower his shoulder and enjoy running people over. He also sports nice feet and the ability to shift into open lanes while weaving through the mesh. Moog could play all three downs on the next level due to his upside as a pass blocker and experience in that area. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIf you're looking for breakaway speed, Moog isn't your guy. Added speed this offseason however would boost Moog's stock further or college coaches might be looking to bring this East Tennessee product in as a fullback.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["286601"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMissing most of his junior season due to injury, Wilson is a talented back with nice size and natural athletic abilities that translate well into the college game. The Bears senior back is well balanced sporting a nice initial burst along with excellent vision and the ability to bounce off tacklers while continuing to move forward. He runs best between the tackles but shows enough speed to work the edge as well. Wilson can certainly take on more too as he sports a good frame to tack on more weight. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWilson is a big boy with size that works on the college level but he runs a little high, so adding more weight is definitely needed to take on the physicality that comes on the next level. Added speed would certainly help that cause as well. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["423788"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eVersatility is the biggest trait that stands out the most about Jackson when breaking down his film. A natural athlete with shifty feet, Jackson can do a variety of things on offense from running between the tackles or lining up in the slot to run routes. This East Tennessee product has good speed and enough juice to break the edge and hit the open field, searching for the end zone. Once Jackson makes up his mind and finds a lane to attack, he runs hard with conviction. He is also an excellent receiver that shows nice hands on film and the ability to line up in multiple ways while also having the upside to become a strong contributor in college on special teams. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eGirth, power, strength are the main things Jackson must add over the offseason to not only develop his game further but enhance his recruitment as well. Working on his lateral movements is also something this East Tennessee running back could increase over the offseason as well. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Dante Strickland","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Knox. Catholic","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cbu003ePro's: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eStrickland is an intriguing prospect with natural athletic abilities, versatility and low experience at the running back position, so potential is there to develop into a playmaking back on the collegiate gridiron. He has quick, easy moving feet along with nice vision and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or line up in the slot. Strickland shows a broad shouldered frame that can take on more weight and take on the physicality that comes with running the ball. u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cbu003eCons: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMuch is to be learned at the running back position for Strickland as he used in multiple roles for his Knox. Catholic team. He needs to continue adding more size to his 5 '10 170 pound body if he wants to remain a running back on the next level. Athletic traits are there but size and experience is much needed for this East Tennessee prospect.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6426eae455ecb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to Know: [player_tooltip player_id='398107' first='Houston' last='Woody'] </strong>- Stone Memorial, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398108' first='Chauncey' last='Felts'] </strong>- Clinton, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277793' first='Aidan' last='Howard'] </strong>- Pigeon Forge, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277777' first='Ethan' last='Davis'] </strong>- Rhea Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":614387,"width":314,"height":314,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/sq2C6jsk_400x400.jpeg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-614387" width="314" height="314" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->