Small-Town 2025 Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some under the radar small-town running backs in the 2025 class?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone breaks it down...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1637234' first='Jacari' last='Barnett'] - Elbert County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smaller, shiftier back out of Elberton, Barnett is a quick-footed junior coming off an incredibly productive 2023 season for the Blue Devils. The sleeper back showed good burst, vision, and breakaway speed. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 175-pound frame and ran through defenses on a consistent basis this past fall. He certainly carried the load this year, carrying the ball an eye-opening 287 times for 1,478 yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games. He reached the 100-yard mark 8 times last fall and scored a touchdown in every game but two. He's not a bowling ball of a back, but he showed his durability throughout the season and scored a combined 7 touchdowns in the ground over the final three games of the season. He's flying under the radar and could be bound for a gigantic senior season in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555614' first='Anthony' last='Jeffery'] – Thomson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, powerful, tackle-breaking back from Thomson, Jeffrey stands at 5-foot-9 190-pounds but plays bigger than his size. He consistently helped move the chains all year long and led the Bulldogs to an excellent 10-2 season. He's shown tremendous lower-body strength and did a great job of carrying defenders a few extra yards at the end of runs last year. He was a dependable option in short-yardage situations and dominated around the goal-line, finishing the season with an impressive 19 touchdowns. In total, he carried the ball 133 times for 1,138 yards along with those 19 scores. He rushed for at least 80 yards in eight games and rushed for a touchdown in every game but three. He was one of the more consistent backs in the area and will be one of the best returning for the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Travion Richardson - Bacon County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A explosive runner who can change directions on a dime, Richardson is an easy small-town back that deserves more recognition. A good athlete who can hit the hole hard and take off down the field, Richardson has decent size and runs with a purpose. He can out-run defenders and is looking to score every time he has the ball. He does a great job of getting to the perimeter and shows good balance when flying down the sidelines. As a junior this past season, the playmaking running back rushed 115 times for an impressive 990 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging a strong 8.6 yards per carry. He's tough to stop, and he hit the 100-yard mark in 8 of his 9 games this season. He also scored a touchdown in every game but two. He's a small-town back to keep an eye on throughout the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->