2025 Scouting Evaluations: RB’s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to believe that we are just 10 months away from the Class of 2025 having the opportunity to sign a national letter of intent. With that said let's continue our new series of looking at the top 2025's in MS and updating their evaluations and projections:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Akylin Dear - Quitman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cream of the crop of the 2025 running back class in state. Prototype size at next level for traditional style back. Leans toward more of a power emphasis than finesse but can beat you either way. Good speed aided by next level explosiveness. Plays with power and toughness, obvious strength appears in the lower half. Fights thru arm tackles and will run thru you. Shows ability to make defenders miss tackles in 2nd and 3rd levels of defense, but will run thru too. Love him north and south. Not a burner or overly agile but checks most every box. Definite SEC running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='466124' first='Kylin' last='Champagne'] - Oak Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Low center of gravity build that has a style of a rumbler between the tackles. Another guy with strong lower half that powers him thru tackles. Quick enough to play with patience and succeed north and south, but not a run off and leave them type runner. Physicality shows on film - not afraid of contact in the slightest. Produces in multiple ways as well as blocking technique and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Champagne's name is gaining momentum and he has played in one of the state's best programs. Projects as a Group of 5 potential back at this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='648935' first='Darrell' last='Smith'] - Picayune</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For years the Maroon Tide has been loaded at running back, placing guys in Power 5 schools in back to back seasons. Smith has been stuck to an extent behind those guys, but his time is well on it's way. Smaller/thin type frame that fits that home run threat/burner type stylistic mold. If he finds a seam he will run away. Plays tough given frame and size. Good vision shows initially and is followed by slipperiness thru the line of scrimmage and into the next level. Bounces off guys but more of a shift, change of direction threat. Projects into more of a spread set than he is currently playing in. Will have potential to catch passes out of the backfield at next level. Group of 5 projection currently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='633371' first='Mekhi' last='Gaddis'] - Neshoba Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Small framed physically that features speedy/burner skillset. Hits the hole with authority and burst and is into the secondary before you know it with sustained speed thru the play. Puts foot in ground and cuts with ease. Sees the field well. Speed and change of direction skill are what makes him such a threat. Will pose threat in multiple areas of the offense moving forward. Raw talent with plenty of untapped potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->