The 2025 Running backs have a chance to be special
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I have come to learn a couple of things in my year of covering Virginia high school football, each league is competitive, great fanbases and talent that goes on to represent every division of college football. What is very impressive…
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Continue ReadingI have come to learn a couple of things in my year of covering Virginia high school football, each league is competitive, great fanbases and talent that goes on to represent every division of college football. What is very impressive to at least myself is the 2025 running back class and how it may be the best in the country. This group alone could have close to 10 backs who end up FBS bound by the end of next season. I went ahead and profiled a number of them below:
The 2,000 yard rusher is also a first team all state defensive back in case anyone was wondering. Joining the Virginia football scene right before last fall I am perhaps late on this young man, but nevertheless I can assure you, he is the real deal. Close to 20 FBS offers, Overton Jr. will have his pick of the litter when decision time comes, joining several of his teammates who are already division 1 bound. The reigning region player of the year also just received an offer from Toledo, the list of offers continues to grow.
https://x.com/JeffreyOverton1/status/1736473158058729511?s=20
Highlights
Patriot’s Jackson McCarter is one of the fastest athletes in the commonwealth and is already on a number of FBS schools radar. The Pioneers must be smarting from their early playoff exit but it was not because of this man. One of the leading rushers in Virginia, McCarter is as explosive as they come, I saw his speed up close when he gashed Gar-Field back in October. A handful of FBS level schools have come calling, where he ends up only time will tell.
https://x.com/j_mccarter02/status/1737146725079335181?s=20
Highlights
Do not let his team’s record fool you, Marcus Ferguson Marcus Ferguson 5’7″ | 150 lbs | RB Unity Reed | 2025 State VA jr. is a talented high character back who will be on your radar soon. He does everything for the Lions including, kickoff returns and some slot receiver work. An excellent student who is near a 4.0 GPA and in advanced honors classes, he is a student of the game and it shows. While he may not be on the FBS level quite yet, he very well could be soon.
https://x.com/marcusjr_07/status/1722073421247299659?s=20
Highlights
This young man caught my attention Week 0 and when he was given the opportunities he didn’t disappoint. When the Red Wolves used him he was one of the better backs in Prince William County. If you read that last sentence and think nothing of it, please do not the PWC is home to some of the best running backs in Virginia. Jackson has a chance to play at the next level, he showed he has top notch speed and vision this past fall.
Landon Hunt Landon Hunt 5’10” | 210 lbs | RB Forest Park | 2025 State VA and his massive offensive line should all be in tact next fall for the Bruins, no reason not to believe on Forest Park being a serious contender in 2024. Big fan of this bruiser and I wanted to get my colleague Cole Laing’s thoughts, he broke down what he saw below:
Landon’s physical running ability jumps out on his film. He has very good size as a running back and runs with good physical toughness and strength, displaying good contact balance that requires defenders to wrap up and tackle him low if they are matched up on him 1v1. He displays solid agility and change of direction that, in tandem with his good vision, allows him to weave through traffic at the line of scrimmage and at the second level. He does not possess top-end speed that will outrun defensive backs, but he will not go down easy, and he has a good stiff arm that he will use to create extra yards. He is what you would want in a bell cow back and should put up big numbers for Forest Park next season.
The Clemson commit is a star in the making and his squad has a chance to have the best offense in history next year. My colleague Cole Laing is a big fan he shared his thoughts on Davidson below:
Gideon displays very good athletic traits of quick feet, speed, change of direction, and agility. He is patient when he receives the handoff to allow his blocks to develop and has very good burst through the hole with very good acceleration and elite contact balance as a runner. He has no issue lowering his shoulder to take on linebackers and can evade defensive backs to take it to the house. I was able to watch him live this past season, and you see his competitive toughness stand out for the duration of the entire game as he makes an impact on all three phases and is a leader in how he plays the game. The Clemson commit is not just one of the best RBs in Virginia, but one of the best in the country for the class of 2025.
Mark-Anthony Whyte
Mark-Anthony Whyte
I am admittedly late to the party on the reigning Patriot Conference player of the year, but holy cow can this kid fly! West Springfield’s star back Mark Anthony-Whyte is another playmaker that we are not talking about enough. On the year he rushed for over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns, he just needs a little seam and he is gone. His speed is eye popping on tape, makes sense that he runs a 4.4 40 and a 10.8 100 meter dash. Another spring season of track and field should only do wonders for this special talent, perhaps leading him to an FBS level offer?
http://www.hudl.com/v/2Mqp0f
JT Bordeux
JT Bordeux
Forced into action thanks to injuries Lake Braddock’s JT Bordeux made a strong showing in the Bruins playoff run. Averaging close to 8 yards per carry this young man is a shifty force with the football in his hands. He is a tough downhill runner who honestly surprised me with his footwork each time he touched the ball.
http://www.hudl.com/v/2MkU58
Battlefield should be right back in the state playoff mix next year and with all conference back Sage Davis Sage Davis 5’8″ | 175 lbs | RB Battlefield | 2025 State VA back into the fold, that will certainly help. Been a fan of this kid for a minute and I asked Cole Laing what he saw on film:
Sage is patient in the backfield to allow his blocks to develop and has good burst out of his cuts utilizing his very good acceleration, good foot speed, and quickness to get skinny through the hole with good contact balance to stay on his feet. He has good agility and change of direction to make quick cuts to evade traffic. Despite his smaller size, he is willing to be physical as a runner and lower his shoulder with good leg drive and strength to create good finish through contact.