2024 Final Position Rankings: Running Back

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football season behind us, another senior class will be moving on to the next level. As we move into a new season, I wanted to take a look back at the class of 2024 by releasing the final 2024 rankings for the state of Kentucky. With these rankings being officially published, I will be taking the next week to break down each position. After already covering the quarterbacks, I will now turn my attention to our top running backs in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["381931"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='381931' first='Brady' last='Hensley'] quickly cemented himself as the top running back in his class in the state of Kentucky after transferring to LCA this season. He had an outstanding senior year, running the ball 235 times for 2,408 yards and 43 touchdowns in 13 games. Hensley is a hard runner that has shown the ability to get downhill in a hurry and keep his feet running through contact to run straight through defenders. He has also shown the speed and elusiveness to break away for long runs once he hits the open field. Hensley also played a key role in the passing game, catching 17 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns this season. Brady signed with Eastern Kentucky where I can see him eventually finishing himself in a key role in their offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["418572"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Although he missed some time this season, [player_tooltip player_id='418572' first='Zah'Ron' last='Washburn'] continued to impress when on the field. Washburn finished his senior year with 51 carries for 269 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. Zah'Ron continued to show explosive speed which he used to burst through the running lane in a hurry and run away from the defense on long runs. When defenders were able to catch up to him, he showed the elusiveness to make them miss in the open field. He also proved to be a threat as a receiver in the passing game, finishing the season with 22 receptions for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Washburn currently holds offers from Lindenwood, Eastern Kentucky, Tiffin, and Campbellsville, and I expect him to be a true impact player wherever he ends up playing at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["331708"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='331708' first='Journey' last='Wyche'] is a running back that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this season. Wyche had a strong senior year, running the ball 179 times for 1,431 yards and 22 touchdowns in 13 games. Journey has true breakaway speed which he used to burst through the running lane and run away from the defense on long runs. He is also a strong runner, showing the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. Wyche also played a role in the passing game, catching 11 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, and also returned one kickoff for a touchdown this season. Journey is committed to UT-Chattanooga where I can see him developing into a key piece of their offense once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["313658"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313658' first='JuJu' last='Starks'] is another 2024 running back that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this season. Starks played a huge role in Mayfield's 2A State Championship run, carrying the ball 208 times for 1,729 yards and 33 touchdowns. JuJu has an impressive blend of speed and strength in his running style as he can either run by defenders or straight through them. This makes him a threat to break away on long runs at any given moment. Starks currently holds offers from Georgetown College and Murray State, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to be very successful at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["653488"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"To wrap up our top five running backs in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='653488' first='Guy' last='Bailey']. Bailey continued to prove that he is one of the top backs in the state after transferring to Corbin this season. He finished the season with 110 carries for 766 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Bailey is very shifty in the open field, showing the ability to make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss. He also has the speed to break away on long runs at any given moment. Bailey also played a key role in the passing game this season, catching 18 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Guy doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658dfb3a1a1b4"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Best of the Rest (Players Included in Top 200): </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id='417456' first='Mykel' last='Malone'] (Fern Creek)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. [player_tooltip player_id='417454' first='Christian' last='Walden'] (Southwestern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. [player_tooltip player_id='677342' first='Ethan' last='Gregory'] (North Laurel)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. [player_tooltip player_id='381898' first='Cam' last='Giesler'] (Highlands)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. [player_tooltip player_id='840731' first='Mason' last='Gardner'] (Central Hardin)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. [player_tooltip player_id='839266' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] (Great Crossing)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [player_tooltip player_id='423707' first='Javen' last='Huddleston'] (Bowling Green)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. [player_tooltip player_id='873787' first='Kellen' last='Marksbury'] (Spencer County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [player_tooltip player_id='653487' first='Brock' last='Messer'] (Martin County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. [player_tooltip player_id='653378' first='Austin' last='Trent'] (Fleming County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. [player_tooltip player_id='408046' first='Thomas' last='Feickert'] (Scott County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17. [player_tooltip player_id='653380' first='Ellis' last='Huguely'] (Scott County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18. [player_tooltip player_id='653490' first='Jimmy' last='Sales'] (South Warren)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>19. [player_tooltip player_id='331709' first='Demari' last='Edelen'] (Ballard)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->