2023 HBCU Carolinas Showcase: Top Running Backs
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The 2nd Annual HBCU Carolinas Showcase by Charlotte Football Insiders brings HBCU colleges and universities from the Carolinas and beyond together to evaluate high school prospects for recruiting boards, offers, and evaluation by college coaches in person. This year over…
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Continue ReadingThe 2nd Annual HBCU Carolinas Showcase by Charlotte Football Insiders brings HBCU colleges and universities from the Carolinas and beyond together to evaluate high school prospects for recruiting boards, offers, and evaluation by college coaches in person. This year over 200 players participated in the showcase at Harding High School in Charlotte, NC on a Thursday Night. Let’s take a look at the top Running Backs from the showcase.
Darius Headley Darius Headley 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Huss | 2024 State NC – Hunter Huss (MVP) – Darius has been one of my favorite running backs over the last couple of years. He has been the focal point of the Hunter Huss attack and teams have game-planned to stop him week in and week out, yet he is able to still put up impressive stat lines. At 5’11 and 210 pounds, he has a tough running style where he is hard to bring down in the open field, especially once he is able to get to the 2nd and 3rd level of the defense. He has the speed to run away from you, and he can make you miss in the hole, even at that size. Talented player. Darius is a 2024 Prospect.
Fedayeen Turner
Fedayeen
Turner
5'11" | 180 lbs | RB
Palisades | 2025
NC
– Palisades – “Fed” as he is known to his teammates, really had a bit of a breakout performance at this showcase. He is a 2025 prospect standing at 5’10 and 165 pounds. The thing that stands out is the speed of Fed. I love how he accelerates quickly and can really make some special plays in space. I have seen him be really effective in the kick return game, and I think he is poised to really come on the scene strong in his junior year.
Brycen Gaither – St. Stephens – Gaither was eager to really come into this showcase and make a statement, and I felt like he definitely did that. At 5’10 and 180 pounds, Brycen is a game-breaking running back. When you turn on his film, the first 9-10 plays are touchdowns, whether they be running or receiving. Brycen rarely gets caught in the open field from behind, and can even split out and run routes from the wide receiver position and be productive. As a 2025 prospect, I’m excited to see how his recruitment progresses as he enters the summer camp season.
Caman Chaplin Caman Chaplin 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB West Forsyth | 2024 State NC – West Forsyth – Caman had a strong performance at the showcase, coming off of a strong junior year for West Forsyth. At 5’10 and 180 pounds, Chaplin rushed for over 1600 yards last year and has picked up some well-deserved recruiting attention, as he holds an offer from the Navy. He has great core strength and an ability to run through tackle attempts with ease. Very good speed in the open field, and I liked the change of direction and explosion he exhibited in multiple drills throughout the showcase. Chaplin is a 2024 prospect.
John Gordon – Ashbrook – At 5’9 and 175 pounds, JJ is an excellent athlete on the field. He has some very good speed in the open field, and has the ability to be physical in the run game and run through players for extra yards – I saw that personally up close last season. Good change of direction in short spaces, and he flashed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield as well. I am excited to see how JJ performs in a new school and different offense this upcoming season. Gordon is a 2025 prospect.
Isaiah Mckee – North Mecklenburg – McKee stood out to me, especially in the short space drill going 1 on 1 against linebackers. He has some serious quick change of direction ability and explosive speed out of those cuts. A 2024 prospect, he should get the opportunity to break out for the Vikings in their offense this year. He stands at 5’11 and 190 pounds. I liked seeing Mckee’s ability to catch out of the backfield as well. I expect his recruitment to pickup as we get into the fall season.
Turbo Richard – Northwestern – Turbo is one of the best running backs in the country, plain and simple. He holds over 20 offers from Division 1 and Power 5 schools, yet he wanted to come out and compete and test his skills at this showcase. He rushed for over 2000 yards last season in helping lead his team deep into the state playoffs. Turbo can run with power behind his 5’10 and 205 pound frame, and like his name says, he truly is fast in the open field and doesn’t get caught from behind. He is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield that can line up in the slot and win against linebackers and safeties in pass coverage. Truly one of my favorite players to cover over the last few years.