Top Returning 2025 Running Backs Returning In 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are some of the top returning 5A running backs in the 2025 class?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corey Watkins Jr – Clarke Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the leading 5A returning rushers across the state, Watkinns Jr. is one of the very best backs across the Athens area who runs with a tough, physical presence for someone his size at 5-foot-9 190-pounds. A versatile back who can help catch passes out of the backfield, this sleeper 2025 back rushed for an impressive 1,367 yards and 12 touchdowns. He found the end-zone in every game but four last year and brought his very best every Friday night. He was as productive and dependable as any back in the area, rushing for at least 100 yards in six games last year, including a stretch of four games in a row during the middle of the season. He's a chain-moving back with deceptive speed, and he showed the ability to put the Clarke County offense on his back. His best game of the season came against Loganville where he had the game of a lifetime, rushing for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Look for him to be even better as a senior in 2024 and one of the leading rushers across the state for the 5A class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/hiram/hiram-hornets/athletes/kaden-hamilton/football/stats/?careerid=4vb2olksmm8i2">[player_tooltip player_id='908912' first='Kaden' last='Hamilton']</a>&nbsp;– Hiram</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the fastest backs and most explosive backs in West Georgia, this Hiram Hornet back is one of the top returning 2025 backs in the area. He was named 1st-Team All-Region last year after totaling 1,828 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns. He may be on the smaller side, but he's quick, shows great burst, and can out-run just about everyone else on the field. He's dangerous in the open field and can be a major weapon on special teams as well. He shows good vision, balance, quick feet, and natural big-play ability. His speed is easy to notice, and it helped him rush for 1,143 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games. He rushed for at least 55 yards in every game but one and hit the 100-yard mark in five games. He also rushed for at least one touchdown in every game but one last year. His best game came in a win over Dalton where he took off for 161 yards and three scores. He's a shifty, durable back who will only get better through the next few months as he prepares for a giant senior season in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155912' first='Tyler' last='Blalock'] - Cambridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A productive, under-the-radar Fulton County back who flashed easy D1-caliber potential last fall, Blalock is one of the top returning backs in the Alpharetta area. He's not the biggest back, and he's not the fastest back, but he understands the position, gives max effort, and is a good athlete who gives every carry his very best. He shows good footwork, can change directions, makes defenders miss, and shows some breakaway speed as well. He's coming off a very productive junior season where he rushed for 1,090 yards and 14 touchdowns. He rushed for an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and should see even more opportunities to make plays with a new staff coming in at Cambridge. Blalock still brings above-average speed and it helped him end the 2023 season in a big way, rushing for 133, 213, and 94 yards in his final three games of the season. He's a sleeper back to know in 5A who could have another massive season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->