2024 Season Preview: Breakout Running Backs

<p>The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero starting on August 25th. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are five running backs that I expect to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1362792' first='Hayden' last='Barton'] is a physical north and south runner with good post-snap vision and a solid burst to attack the running lane. His vision allows him to locate the running lane quickly and burst through the first level and into the second level. He consistently breaks tackles due to good contact balance, leg drive, and lower body power to keep moving. A run-first, run-heavy system fits Barton's style. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Lyon</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.75 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HaydenBarton15/status/1730618890659508639 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1367213' first='Tony' last='Noble'] is a current GEM who embodies a skill set and movements reminiscent of Darren McFadden. Noble displays good post-snap vision to locate the running lane quickly, with a very good burst to accelerate and separate from the first level. Good patience behind the line of scrimmage to follow blockers. Noble showcases a multi-cut ability, with impressive acceleration and speed to break away from the second level after making the first initial cut. He has a good change of direction and vision, and he can locate cutback lanes quickly and create to get upfield. Good balance to withstand contact with active feet, good leg drive, and lower body power to break tackles and gain additional yards. He will hurt you in the receiving game as well, out of the backfield or lining up out wide. Smooth route runner who can create separation off breaks due to good change of direction, foot quickness, and burst. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Missouri State & Sam Houston State</em></p>   <p>Note - 4.5 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tonyfromtk/status/1799080558108324024 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1367224' first='Tyrel' last='Harris Jr']. displays solid vision post-snap to locate the running lane and get upfield quickly with a solid burst. He's able to make defenders miss due to his good lateral agility, change of direction, and burst to get upfield after. He also has good contact balance, leg drive, and lower body strength to withstand contact and break tackles. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TyrelHarris9/status/1669035288385970192 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1358903' first='Calvin' last='Spearman'] displays good foot quickness and post-snap vision, enabling him to find running lanes with a quick burst to separate from the first level and into the second level. He has the patience to follow blockers with good lateral agility to make a cut and get upfield. He will take snaps out of the wildcat formation as well. Spearman is someone to watch as he is poised for a breakout in 2024. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Position Athlete</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/iamcalvin03/status/1793774245392289967 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1336821' first='Jackson' last='Ward'] displays patience as a physical north-south runner, complemented by good post-snap vision. His vision allows him to locate running lanes quickly or evade penetration as he possesses a strong one-cut ability and burst through the tackles that allow him to separate from first-level defenders. Strong leg drive, balance, and lower body power to break tackles and gain extra yardage. Solid lateral agility and change of direction to make a man miss or find the cut-back lane. He's an underrated running back in Arkansas and someone to watch in 2024. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas State & Hendrix</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.69 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JacksonWard2026/status/1733518583597027464 </div></figure>

The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero starting on August 25th. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to impact the upcoming season. That said, here are five running backs that I expect to have a breakout season that catches the eye of college coaches and recruiters.