#PRZTN Crystal Ball: Breakthrough Running Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">We have a long ways to go before we reach the 2024 season but if these ball carriers below go hard this off-season and develop in the right ways, breakout years could be on the horizon! </h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospect-database/">#TN2025 Running Back Database</a>   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='976043' first='E.J.' last='Carter'] - Notre Dame   - Speed is the first thing you recognize about Carter when you turn on his film and that trait alone could take this Chattanooga area prospect to another level with his recruitment. Last year as a junior, Carter put himself on the scene as one of the better backs coming out of his region but his speed could become a separating factor for him that puts him on the map as a potential D1 recruit. Carter already holds an offer in hand from Eastern Ky with several others showing interest. His work this off-season in camps will be key towards boosting his stock while also placing himself among others in this state as a top prospect at his running back position.    - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='219347' first='Jonmikael' last='Crudup'] - Mt. Juliet   - Well balanced with a nice combination of power and speed, Crudup has a big off-season ahead where he can establish himself as not only one of the best at his position within the Mid-Tennessee region but possibly the entire state as well. The Golden Bears running back is well built physically, sporting college size for his position along with a nice burst and vision as well as the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield at a high level. Crudup has a lot of tools to become a “breakout” prospect this off-season and Fall where he could run himself into Mr. Football consideration by season's end. It's a long road to get there but this Mt. Juliet ball carrier has the potential to develop into a possible D1, FCS back with continued work and development.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jmike_321/status/1763947568956953053?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='361227' first='Price' last='Davis'] - Maryville   - Sporting size, speed and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Davis is a well put together prospect that is already having a strong off-season that could lead to a breakout senior year this Fall. The Rebels senior back brings a lot of strong traits to the playing field that translates well to the next level. Those skills should be on full display this Fall as Davis returns as the team's top offensive threat and top prospect for the college game. He has been working hard this off-season to develop himself further and he's already turned some heads by running a 4.4 forty at the PRZTN Winter Showcase while enhancing his pass receiving throughout 7v7 tournaments. Davis is a definite breakout star to pay attention to as the next several months roll along.    - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1201020' first='Thomas' last='Johnson'] - Cookeville   - Jumping on the scene last year as a junior, Johnson put forth a strong season, establishing himself as the team's top back but now he must build off that momentum and develop into a bonafide college prospect. I think he will and I think Johnson has the potential to work himself into a Top 15 back in this state for the TN2025 class. He is a strong, well balanced runner that is hard to bring down while also sporting good speed and excellent vision that translates well to the college game. Johnson was a major factor behind the Cavs resurgence last season and should be a key piece this Fall on a Cookeville team that could surprise some as a region title contender.    - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='848834' first='Skylar' last='Thomas'] - Jefferson Co.   - Thomas is one of the more intriguing running back talents for me going through this TN2025 process as I see someone that could turn heads this summer in camps, then burst out in a big way this Fall as one of the top backs coming out of the East Tennessee region. The Patriots senior back shows excellent upside on film as a multi talented runner that brings power, speed and explosive flashes to the playing field. He has good clips from his junior year but Thomas still has plenty of tread on the tires due to sharing the backfield with a multi time 1,000 yard rusher. It's now his show with the Patriots and I expect him to turn in a monster season that not only puts him in consideration for Mr. Football but also raises his stock into a potential D1, FCS level prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/rivalrythursday/status/1712638642022178961?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='611895' first='Jakyri' last='McClure'] - Mt. Pleasant   - While McClure has carried the ball a ton for his Tigers team throughout his high school career thus far, this 6'0 ball carrier could be in-store for his best season yet. Mt. Pleasant could be transitioning into a more run-heavy team this Fall, meaning McClure should be the focal point and offensive weapon the Tigers coaching staff leans upon. The Tigers senior back is hard to bring down once he gets going then turns on the burners once he hits the open field. McClure does need to enhance his athleticism and speed this off-season to take his game to another level and if he does, watch out for this Mid-Tennessee back to play himself in Mr. Football consideration.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PipelineAth/status/1708112670979715128?s=20 </div></figure>   - - - - - - - -   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1200996' first='Jacob' last='Saunders'] - Hardin Co.    - Coming out of the 4A ranks, many may not know about this West Tennessee ball carrier but after looking in-depth over his film, Saunders is a “ball player” that could run himself into some big honors by the end of the 2024 season. The Tigers senior back is a big boy in the backfield that runs and plays hard, showing good speed once he hits the open field as well as the power to run through tacklers. Saunders will have to hit the off-season camp scene hard and begin putting some good stock behind his name if he wants to become a household name and a player that reaches the collegiate level. This is a definite under the radar type talent that could bust out into “breakthrough” status over the next several months.    Three Others to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='814799' first='Gavyn' last='Nelson'] - Brentwood, [player_tooltip player_id='1146331' first='Grant' last='Gardner'] - Blackman, [player_tooltip player_id='1200977' first='Travon' last='Murry'] - Fairview   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/tmurry.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1205022" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>