Stockrisers: 2025 RB prospects in Kentucky to watch for

Now that the 2022 season of high school football has come to a conclusion and we're in the middle of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the most impressive players out of the Bluegrass State last year. After evaluating some of the top sophomore linebacker prospects on the defensive side, it's time to switch our sights to the offensive side of the ball. Here's my list of the top 2025 running back prospects in the state of Kentucky to watch for this upcoming season.    [player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone'], a 5-foot-11, 172-pound running back out of Louisville Central High School, was one of the most efficient offensive talents on the Yellow Jackets' roster during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 13 contests, Stone was the team's top running back, picking up 271 rush attempts for 2,191 yards and 26 touchdowns. With great size, speed and durability, Stone is a challenge for the defense to contain. What makes Stone so efficient is his deceptive speed, his overall strength and his ability to find the open field despite heavy pressure. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. will definitely be an intriguing offensive talent to watch more closely this upcoming season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jyxxw">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373826' first='Peyton' last='Smith'], a 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back out of Taylor County High School, was a huge offensive playmaker for the Cardinals during his sophomore stint of high school football last year. Despite only contributing on the field in seven games, Smith led the team in rushing yards, recording 107 attempts for 1,242 yards and 17 touchdowns. What makes Smith so efficient on offense is his overall size, speed and durability. Smith can find openings to escape pressure and move forward into the open field with his quickness on the ground. The rising junior out of Campbellsville, KY. will definitely be worth keeping an eye on next season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16498761/6376c585c11a3809fca4cb95">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373823' first='Kalen' last='Washington'], a 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back out of George Rogers Clark High School, was a gamechanger for the Cardinals during his sophomore year of high school football last season. In 11 contests, Washington was the top running back on the roster, picking up 117 rush attempts for 1,001 yards and 16 touchdowns. Washington contributes excellent size, speed and durability as he can break tackles, march past defenders into the open field and use bursts of speed to ensure he is untouched on his way into the endzone. The rising junior out of Winchester, KY. will be an intriguing talent to watch this upcoming season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16390027/637d010057981d0be095c2d1">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373804' first='Christian' last='Moore'], a 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back out of Franklin County High School, was one of the most significant offensive contributors for the Flyers during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 contests, Moore was the top running back on the roster, picking up 109 rush attempts for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns. Moore is a huge headache for defenses across the state because of his overall size, durability and speed. The rising junior out of Frankfort, KY. can find openings, escape defensive pressure and muscle his way into the endzone. Moore will definitely be an offensive talent worth watching on the field next season.     <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16861828/61bd564719a589079cceed40">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='331763' first='Deion' last='Winstead'], a 6-foot-0, 202-pound running back out of Owensboro High School, made significant contributions to the Red Devils' offense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 contests, Winstead was the second-best running back on the team, recording 50 rush attempts for 546 yards and 11 touchdowns. With great size, speed and durability, Winstead is not easily contained. Winstead can maneuver his way through the defense, break tackles and use bursts of speed to get himself into the endzone. The rising junior out of Owensboro, KY. will be interesting to watch this upcoming season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JykXt">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373051' first='CT' last='Branstetter'], a 6-foot-2, 225-pound running back out of Metcalfe County High School, was a major ground weapon for the Hornets' offense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 13 contests, Branstetter became the second-best rusher on the team, recording 99 attempts for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns. The rising junior out of Edmonton, KY. is nearly unstoppable due to his overall size, speed and his ability to blast through the defense and find the open field. Branstetter's overall toughness make him a challenge for the defense to tackle as he broke more than a few tackles last season en route to the endzone. Branstetter will definitely be an intriguing running back prospect to keep an eye on this upcoming season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JwKwG">Tape:</a>    [player_tooltip player_id='373080' first='William' last='Elliott Jr.'], a 5-foot-7, 147-pound running back out of Ballard High School, made a huge impact on the ground for the Bruins' offense during his sophomore season of high school football last year. In 14 contests, Elliott was the third-best rushing machine on the roster, picking up 60 attempts for 288 yards and five touchdowns. With great size and speed, Elliott can use bursts of speed to quickly escape the pocket and find the open field. The rising junior out of Louisville, KY. also displayed excellent durability last season, escaping more than a few tackles. Elliott will definitely be an interesting offensive weapon to watch more closey next season.     <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K3d2g">Tape:</a>

Now that the 2022 season of high school football has come to a conclusion and we're in the middle of the offseason, it's time to look back at some of the most impressive players out of the Bluegrass State last year. After evaluating some of the top sophomore linebacker prospects on the defensive side, it's time to switch our sights to the offensive side of the ball. Here's my list of the top 2025 running back prospects in the state of Kentucky to watch for this upcoming season.