2023 Fab 50: The Running Backs

South Carolina has developed into a place known for its running backs.    A year after the state produced 11 2,000-yard rushers, similar figures popped up this fall, too. We mention that first because a few of them had to be left off the Prep RedZone Fab 50. We also left off two state champion tailbacks and a couple more heading for the top level of college football.   The competition for a coveted spot on the Fab 50 was that fierce.   The four who were ultimately selected brought something truly special to their bids.    [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] SR, Irmo   It would be hard to argue that Allen-Hendrix was among the most influential transfers prior to last season. In his one year at Irmo, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound tailback rushed for 2,215 yards and 25 touchdowns. If that wasn't enough, he was highly active in the Yellow Jackets' passing game, catching 20 passes for another 360 yards and four more touchdowns. At one point during the year, he strung together 11 consecutive 100-yard games and went over 100 total yards in all but one contest. The overall performance exceeded even the highest expectations he had during his days at Gilbert, and Irmo was lucky to have one year of him toting the football.    [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] SR, Hampton County   One of just five finalists for the Mr. Football award this fall, Dobson (pictured) was every bit of a driving force for a Hampton County team that played for the Class 2A Lower State title. He rushed for at least 100 yards in 13 of the team's 14 games, topped the 200-yard mark six times, scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game and finished the season with 40 rushing scores. His 10 yards per carry was vital, especially when considering that he fumbled the ball just twice in 258 carries. It then pushed Dobson to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl, where he scored a touchdown receiving and helped the South squad to a victory. It's only a matter of time until he finds his next home.    [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] JR, Belton-Honea Path   You probably already know that Henderson has verbally committed to Clemson, and that he fits the mold of some of the best players in the position to come out of Tiger Town. And maybe you already know that Henderson's 2,336 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns this year propelled the Bears to the fourth round of the state playoffs. But chances are, you don't know that he stand just 50 yards shy of 5,000 yards from scrimmage for his career or that he needs 33 touchdowns next season to reach 100 total for his career. Henderson has gotten demonstrably better year after year for three seasons now. There's no reason to believe he can't do that one more time.     [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar'] SR, Midland Valley   When Dunbar got a third of South Carolina's carries in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, it wasn't much of a surprise. Neither was it a shock that he got into the end zone during the state's top all-star game. Dunbar's stat line for the season was simply insane: 3,051 yards, 11.2 yards per carry, 42 touchdowns. To get there, he recorded four 300-yard rushing games and scored at least four touchdowns on four separate occasions, including the eight he scored against Westside in a third-round playoff loss. Dunbar is believed to be just the second player in state history to reach 3,000 yards in a season and he's departing this level have rushed for 6,400 career yards.

South Carolina has developed into a place known for its running backs.