Under the Radar 5A Running Backs Off To Big 2023 Season
Which 5A running backs are off to big starts in 2023? Which are leading the way? Prep Redzone has all the details below… Corey Watkins Jr – Clarke Central One of the top rushers in the Athens area, Watkins Jr.…
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Continue ReadingWhich 5A running backs are off to big starts in 2023?
Which are leading the way?
Prep Redzone has all the details below…
Corey Watkins Jr – Clarke Central
One of the top rushers in the Athens area, Watkins Jr. is a physical back who plays bigger than his 5-foot-9 190-pound frame. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, but he’s at his best when he gets down-hill and pounds on defenders. The leading rusher right now in 5A, the Clarke Central back is off to a tremendous start to his junior season. In a week one 28-7 win over nearby Cedar Shoals, Watkins Jr. ran 20 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns. He had a big game in week two as well, rushing for 141 yards on 22 carries and another two touchdown. He’s been tough to slow down and might continue running harder and harder as the season moves along. He’s averaging 8.5 yards a carry, and if he keeps that up, he could see his recruitment take a step forward down the road.
Demetrius “mj” Dowdy – Winder Barrow
Another strong, powerful runner from the Athens area, Dowdy is off to a fantastic start to his sophomore year, averaging just under 130 yards per game through the first two of the season. A thick, heavier back at 5-foot-11 215-pounds, Dowdy doesn’t mind running with a physical presence. He gets yards after contact and finds a way to fall down towards the end of runs. He breaks a lot of tackles with his legs, but runs well behind his pads as well. He runs like a bowling ball at times, and he’s bowled through plenty of defenders so far this season. In week one, Dowdy ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns in a big win over Apalachee, In week two against MLK, he took off for 114 yards and another score. He’s having a breakout sophomore season so far, and soon, everyone will know his name.
Malik Dryden – Flowery Branch
Another bruising back who can bounce off tackles, Dryden also brings a shifty element to his game at 5-foot-10 205-pounds. After a junior season where he only rushed for 233 yards and one touchdown, Dryden has already hit that mark through the first two games of his sophomore season. Leading Flowery Branch to two wins, Dryden has rushed 39 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He went off in week one for 144 yards on 19 carries in a win over Decatur, and then rushed for 132 yards against St. Pius. He running hard, and he’s breaking lots of tackles, averaging a promising 7.1 yards per carry. He’s an underrated back that defenses are going to have a tough time getting to the ground this year.
Jordan McCoy Jordan McCoy 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Tucker | 2024 State GA – Tucker
A tough, powerful back with speed and vision, McCoy was one of the more consistent and productive backs in Dekalb County last year, rushing for 1,167 yards yards last fall on 156 carries for an average of around 7.5 yards per carry. He only played in 8 games, so his production is even more impressive. He’s a natural with the ball in his hands who follows his blocks and can be a dangerous runner in the open field. He’s a smooth athlete who just does just about everything well, MCCoy is off to a tremendous start to the 2023 season as a senior. The 5-foot-10 185-pounder rushed for 172 yards in a big win over Miller Grove, scoring an eye-opening five touchdowns. He just couldn’t be stopped. In week two, the Tiger Tiger back rushed 20 times for 119 yards and three more score. Through two games, that’s a total of 291 yards and 8 touchdowns through the first two games. He’s running wild, and he’s running towards the top of the rushing leaderboard in Georgia.