Class of 2027 Running Backs: Charlotte Metro Area

The upcoming sophomore class in the Charlotte Metro Area has a talented group of running backs ready to make impacts for their respective teams. Let's take a look at some of them right here:   Kaleb Vines - South Mecklenburg   This past season, Kaleb was named the JV Team MVP for a very good South Mecklenburg JV Football Team. He had 1852 All Purpose Yards and 18 touchdowns in his JV Season. I watched Kaleb live in two games, and I love a few things about his game. His overall speed is excellent - he can get in and out of the hole very quickly and go the distance. I watched this not only on offense but on special teams in the kick return game as well. Kaleb has an excellent ability to catch the football out of the backfield as well. The Sabres used a halfback screen for big gains in long-yardage situations with Kaleb making things happen in space. Kaleb projects to be an excellent three-down back in his varsity future, and he will be a name to watch over the next couple of years in Charlotte.   Jaiden McKnight-Quick - Metrolina Christian   In watching highlights on McKnight-Quick, it is obvious that he has some excellent speed and athleticism. There are plays where Jaiden just flat-out outruns the angle on defenders in open space. A couple of times Jaiden just ran through unblocked defenders as well, so he is going to be someone very exciting to watch once he grows into a consistent varsity-level player in the future. Per his Head Coach Thomas Langley, Jaiden is the stepson of former All-Pro WR Brian Quick & biological son of former 5-star recruit & NFL RB Joe McKnight. Definitely some talent to watch in this young man for the future.   [player_tooltip player_id='1321024' first='Christian' last='Liles'] - Independence   At 5'9 and 155 pounds, I like the way Christian sees the hole when running the football. On some plays in his highlight film, they aren't blocked the best, but Christian runs to daylight well and can maximize the most out of a play that isn't the greatest-looking. That is the trait of a player to watch for future success. An example - there is a zone play run to the short side of the field, but Christian can get to the outside and turn it up the sideline for a big gain where it looked like a sure no-gainer on the play. Christian also contributes on special teams in the kick return game as well, showing good speed in space and some dynamic ability with the football in his hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1304566' first='Nixon' last='Willis'] - Lake Norman   Already in hand with an offer from Nicholls State, I had to dig into the highlight film of Nixon to see what the story was. The 5'9 180-pound prospect runs extremely hard and I think he shows good speed once he gets into open space. As he continues to grow, he will take further advantage of the excellent overall vision he has running the football. The other impressive thing about Nixon is how well he already runs through contact - there are several instances on his highlights where he runs through arm tackles at the second and third level of the defense. Even though most of the highlight is against younger players, that's still really impressive, especially at Nixon's size.   [player_tooltip player_id='1321028' first='Amario' last='Spence'] - West Iredell   I just have to say that when you watch a highlight film, you are trying to analyze a player's strengths. I thoroughly just flat-out enjoyed watching Amario play football. It is a mix of JV and Varsity highlights, but it didn't matter - Amario was just plain dominant in some way in every clip. The 6'2 210-pound prospect has an offer from Charlotte already and deservedly so. It will probably be a short time before other schools come knocking. Where to start - Amario is just plain stronger than most players in these highlights. There are several times when he just flat runs over someone in his way with the ball in his hands. If he isn't running them over, he's running away from them. He has excellent speed for his size and doesn't get caught from behind very often. Amario also plays some defense as well - it will be interesting to see where he ends up ultimately on the next level, but this is a name to mark down for sure.   Savion Lindsey - Ashbrook   With offers from Charlotte and Austin Peay, the 5'9 185-pound prospect has been a player to watch since his middle school days where he made big plays a routine thing in every game he played in. Savion is at a different high school this year, and we will see if this leads to him making some big plays on Friday Nights. Last year, he did make a big impact playing JV football and showed more than ever he is ready for the spotlight. Savion shows excellent speed in the open field and great vision in and out of the hole. Savion can also run with power behind his pads and break tackles on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1321034' first='Jaciere' last='Gray'] - West Charlotte   The 5'10 155-pound prospect currently has an offer from Marshall in his pocket and college interest from other schools. Jaciere is an athletic player with excellent speed in space. I would describe him as a slippery runner - he has a way of breaking tackles more so with his elusiveness and agility than power at this stage of his career. There are several clips in his highlight package where he can slide out of the grasp of a defender with a quick slide step or juke move. Jaciere shows excellent vision on both the perimeter and interior run game type of plays and is a dynamic threat in the kick return game as well.

The upcoming sophomore class in the Charlotte Metro Area has a talented group of running backs ready to make impacts for their respective teams. Let's take a look at some of them right here: