2024 Final Position Rankings: Running Back
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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…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Brady Hensley Brady Hensley 6’0″ | 200 lbs | RB Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY 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.
Although he missed some time this season, Zah’Ron Washburn Zah’Ron Washburn 5’11” | 180 lbs | ATH DuPont Manual | 2024 KY 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.
Highlights
Journey Wyche Journey Wyche 5’10” | 185 lbs | ATH Ballard | 2024 State KY 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.
JuJu Starks JuJu Starks 5’11” | 200 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2024 State KY 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.
To wrap up our top five running backs in the class of 2024 in the state of Kentucky, I have Guy Bailey Guy Bailey 5’9″ | 190 lbs | RB Corbin | 2024 State KY . 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.
Highlights
Best of the Rest (Players Included in Top 200):
6. Mykel Malone Mykel Malone 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Fern Creek | 2024 State KY (Fern Creek)
7. Christian Walden Christian Walden 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Southwestern | 2024 State KY (Southwestern)
8. Ethan Gregory Ethan Gregory 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB North Laurel | 2024 State KY (North Laurel)
9. Cam Giesler Cam Giesler 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Highlands | 2024 State KY (Highlands)
10. Mason Gardner Mason Gardner 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Central Hardin | 2024 State KY (Central Hardin)
11. Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB Great Crossing | 2024 State KY (Great Crossing)
12. Javen Huddleston Javen Huddleston 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Bowling Green | 2024 State KY (Bowling Green)
13. Kellen Marksbury Kellen Marksbury 5'10" | 150 lbs | RB Spencer County | 2024 State KY (Spencer County)
14. Brock Messer Brock Messer RB Martin County | 2024 State KY (Martin County)
15. Austin Trent Austin Trent 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB Fleming County | 2024 State KY (Fleming County)
16. Thomas Feickert Thomas Feickert 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Scott County | 2024 State KY (Scott County)
17. Ellis Huguely Ellis Huguely 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Scott County | 2024 State KY (Scott County)
18. Jimmy Sales Jimmy Sales 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB South Warren | 2024 State KY (South Warren)
19. Demari Edelen Demari Edelen 5'9" | 155 lbs | RB Ballard | 2024 State KY (Ballard)