Top Returning Rushers In 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The peach-state is loaded with talented running backs as always, and many of the state's best are found in the 4A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are the top returning running backs in 4A for the 2023 season? Let's take a look...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='627883' first='Matthew' last='Fuller'] - Wayne County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most productive runners across the peach state last season, Fuller is the leading returning rusher in 4A after running wild each Friday night last season as a junior. The tough, physical, tackle-breaking back from South Georgia stands at 6-foot-0 210-pounds and was so tough to bring down for just one defender. In total, Fuller ran for 1,757 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. He totaled over 120 yards in every game but three last year and went over the 200-yard mark twice. He also rushed for a touchdown in every game but one last year, proving to be a real touchdown machine on the ground. We rushed for over 120 yards in each of his final seven games last year, ending his junior season as well as any back in South Georgia last year. He'll be one of the regions' best once again this upcoming fall and will absolutely play at the next level after high school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/milledgeville/baldwin-braves/athletes/micah-welch/football/stats/?careerid=vfhg20jiaqjk4">[player_tooltip player_id='325158' first='Micah' last='Welch']</a> - Baldwin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thick, powerful runner with some wiggle and the ability to keep defenses honest with both his strength and speed, The 5-foot-9 200-pounder from Milledgeville is coming off a dynamic junior season where he rushed for 1,373 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 125 yards per game, proving why he's one of the best and most productive backs not only in Middle Georgia, but across the state for the 2024 class. He's a tough, physical runner with easy D1 talent who consistently breaks tackles and keeps driving moving forward. Welch is a natural runner and ended the season as well as any back in the state, rushing for 851 yards and 12 touchdowns during his final four games of the season. He was the third leading rusher in the 4A class for juniors last year and could push for the top spot as a senior in 2023. The Region 4-AAAA Offensive Player of the Year holds offer from Florida, Colorado, Georgia Tech, among others and could see more come his way this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572515' first='Emadd' last='Howard'] – Walnut Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive 4A back with vision and elusiveness, Howard ran hard and pounded his way through defenses all last season as a sophomore. The 5-foot-11 180-pounder showed great footwork, patience, and the ability to burst through a hole while rushing for 230 times for 1,236 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. He rushed for over 100 yards in seven games with his best game coming against Jasper County, rushing for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He's a back who can carry the load, and as good as he was as a sophomore, look for him to be even better next year as a junior. He breaks a lot of tackles, keeps the chains moving, and will be one of the better running backs across the state next year in the 2025 class. His best football is still way ahead of him, and with a breakout junior season next fall, Howard could see some heavy D1 interest and possible offers come his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devin Ingram – Stephenson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An explosive back from the Atlanta area out of Stephenson High School, Ingram is a Stone Mountain native coming off an impressive junior season for the Jaguars. Ingram has big-play ability and knows how to slash his way through a defense with ease. A smaller, speedy back, Ingram has great footwork, can change directions, and sliced up defenses on a consistent basis last season. Ingram rushed for 1,264 yards and seven touchdowns last year, proving he's one of the top returning backs in all of 4A for next fall. He took off for at least 100 yards in seven of the season's final eight games, ending the season with a bang. He also rushed for 344 yards and six touchdowns combined in the final two games. Averaging an impressive 7.2 yards per carry, expect Ingram to have another giant season for Stephenson in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->