25 Running Backs to Watch in 2024

<p>The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero set to commence on August 25th. There are hundreds of talented prospects in the class of 2025 and beyond who have the potential to play at the next level, including FBS, FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to leave their mark on the upcoming season. Here are 25 running back prospects for coaches and recruiters to add to the recruiting board.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Running Backs:</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] possesses FBS and FCS-level talent. I anticipate his recruitment to take off during the 2024 season. Lewis displays very good speed, fluidity, and athleticism out of the backfield. Good post-snap vision to read first-level defenders and locate the running lane quickly. He showcases a multi-cut ability with an impressive burst to break away from the first and second level after making the first initial cut. With that ability, good change of direction, and vision, he can locate cutback lanes quickly and get upfield. Good balance to withstand contact with good vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage to follow blockers. Attacks with active feet, good leg drive and acceleration through contact to gain additional yards. Has the upper and lower body power and strength to consistently break tackles. Overall, he's a YAC threat due to various factors, including his speed, quickness, acceleration, and change of direction ability. Truly scheme versatile.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.5 GPA / 4.43 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/IManmeeze/status/1722739031463633280 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1357160' first='Jaysean' last='Robinson'] is a powerful running back with good athletic ability. Robinson displays solid vision post-snap, maintaining good balance and active feet to withstand early penetration and create opportunities out of nothing. He wins in the receiving game with smooth route running, strong hands, and bursts after the catch to get upfield quickly. </p>   <p>Note - 2.7 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/thekod005/status/1817028684106146302 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1216594' first='Kylon' last='Davis'] adds strength and a good burst to the running back position. He displays a quick first step, coupled with the capacity to plant and cut, demonstrating his good lateral agility. Post-snap, he showcases good vision behind the line of scrimmage. Davis displays patience to follow his blockers and good acceleration to get upfield and separate from first-level defenders. His recruitment has started to heat up this summer, and for good reason. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas-Monticello & Hendrix</em></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/KylonDavis4/status/1590094834089566209 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1357163' first='Nick' last='Abrams'] is a do-it-all running back on the ground and in the receiving game. Abrams displays good speed and athleticism with good post-snap vision to read first-level defenders and locate the running lane quickly. Solid burst to break away from the first and into the second level after making the first initial cut. With that ability, good change of direction (COD), and vision, he can locate cutback lanes quickly and get upfield. Attacks with active feet, good leg drive, balance, and acceleration through contact to gain additional yards. Has the upper and lower body power and strength to consistently break tackles. In the receiving game, he displays good hand-eye coordination, COD, and burst to get upfield quickly after the catch. </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/NickAbrams_1/status/1723780131494199359 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1283877' first='Enoch' last='Assan'] showcases good athleticism and agility. He displays a quick first step with good vision to read the defensive front and find the hole with good acceleration and the ability to create against early penetration. One-cut ability to plant off his back foot and explode through the hole, displaying his impressive burst. Assan has good contact balance and lateral agility with active feet to break tackles or make second-level defenders miss with his ability to elude.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.0 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/EnochAssan7/status/1802170607552938211 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1358230' first='Percy' last='Smith'] is an elusive running back capable of evading defenders across the field. His agility stems from good lateral agility, change of direction, and a quick burst to get upfield. Smith also demonstrates strong contact balance and leg drive, enabling him to endure hits 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/PERCYSMITH555/status/1732937547209220572 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='955836' first='Griffin' last='Mason'] is a true workhorse running back, consistently gaining extra yards after contact. He displays good patience and vision before attacking the line of scrimmage and accelerates through the gap with a quick burst. As a north-south runner, he possesses significant power and balance, enabling him to break tackles effectively. Mason also has the potential to be a solid receiving threat, both from the backfield and out wide. With strong hands and quick feet, his name is one to watch for in the upcoming season.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.6 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/GriffinMason_18/status/1814856695652192351 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1236750' first='Nathaniel' last='Thomas Jr.'] is another workhorse back with quick feet and good vision behind the line of scrimmage. He displays good contact balance, active feet, lateral agility and physicality to either break tackles or fight for extra yards. Thomas Jr. is a multi-cut running back due to his good change of direction and ability to burst upfield after planting with good acceleration.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: Ashland, Bucknell, Hendrix & Murray State</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.2 GPA / 30 ACT</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/NathanielT_Jr/status/1793100226204750077 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='325592' first='Charlie' last='Cotros'] is a versatile running back who excels in short-yardage situations. His hard-nosed running style and excellent natural balance allow him to burst through the line of scrimmage, maximizing yardage. Additionally, his ability to line up out wide makes him a challenging target to defend across the field. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note - Coachable</p>   <p><a href="https://x.com/CCotros">[player_tooltip player_id='325592' first='Charlie' last='Cotros'] (@CCotros) / X</a></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='626799' first='Andrew' last='Mack'] is a patient runner, waiting for running lanes to develop and following his blockers with good vision. He bursts through openings with good acceleration, showcasing his breakaway speed at the second level. Mack also displays good lateral agility and footwork post-snap, charging downhill for hard-earned yardage while demonstrating his physicality and elusiveness against defenders.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.0 GPA & 4.5 40</p>   <p class="text-gray-700"></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/AndrewMack0/status/1759687205520331128 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='595769' first='Braden' last='Nash'] is a dynamic running back with good athleticism and speed with the ability to line up out wide. He can create immediate separation off breaks in the receiving game due to his good change of direction, lateral agility, and explosive burst, complemented by strong hands. His movements are fluid and athletic, showcasing good body control and balance. Solid post snap vision to locate defenders and blocks, allowing him to burst through the hole and withstand contact, gaining extra yards. His athletic ability shouldn't go unnoticed, as it can be lethal to an opposing defense.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p>   <p class="text-gray-700">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/24Nashbraden1/status/1800297672147964091 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1324011' first='Latrell' last='Conley'] is a north-south, physical running back with solid speed, power, and vision out of the backfield. He demonstrates a solid multi-cut ability and good burst that separates him from the first level. Good balance allows him to withstand contact, and good vision and patience enable him to follow blockers effectively or find and locate openings. He uses active feet, good leg drive, and acceleration to create additional yards. His upper and lower body strength is notable, allowing him to consistently break tackles. You'll hear the name Conley quite a bit throughout his high school career. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.78 / 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/Agentt_7/status/1715866002234188152 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1358246' first='Bubba' last='Johnson'] is a powerful running back with good athletic ability. He displays solid post-snap vision, allowing him to identify running lanes and utilize good acceleration and burst to penetrate the first level of defense and advance to the second level. Johnson demonstrates good lower body power, leg drive, and balance, enabling him to break tackles consistently.</p>   <p>Note - Multi Sport Athete</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/bubrunit_31_6/status/1726165539192787256 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Last winter, [player_tooltip player_id='1358903' first='Calvin' last='Spearman'] transferred to Brookland, gearing up for his senior season with the Bearcats. Spearman showcases 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 should be on your watchlist. </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/iamcalvin03/status/1793774245392289967 </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700"></p>    <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1346465' first='Ja'Quae' last='Walden'] has switched to offense after spending most of his career on defense. He's quickly demonstrating a physical, downhill running style, getting north and south with good burst. Walden displays good lateral agility, enabling him to evade defenders or cut and find a running lane. He also shows good lower body strength, leg drive, and balance, allowing him to absorb contact and earn extra yards.</p>   <p>Note - 3.2 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/QuaeWalden/status/1817375362382274726 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1099930' first='Kha'lawry' last='McClinton'] is a dynamic running back known for his very good speed and athleticism. He possesses good vision and a quick burst, allowing him to identify gaps and penetrate the defense effectively. His patience, agility, and acceleration enable him to navigate through tight spaces effectively. McClinton displays good lower body strength, foot quickness, and balance, which are needed to absorb contact.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 4.45 40 / 46″ Vert</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/lawry__14/status/1796038694303932762 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='364847' first='Jazaveon' last='Daniels'] adds good athleticism and speed to his position. He displays good lateral agility and the ability to penetrate the second level quickly. As a smooth runner, he possesses good fluidity and swiftly attacks gaps. He is certainly a player to watch in the 2024 season.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 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/Jazaveon1/status/1685919208440238080 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1358920' first='Gabe' last='Holmes'] has transitioned to running back from quarterback for his senior season, having rushed for over 1,000 yards. Holmes is a powerful downhill runner who will showcase his workhorse abilities. He possesses good lower body power, leg drive, pad level, and balance, enabling him to withstand contact and continue surging upfield.</p>   <p>Note - 4.8 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/holmes16155/status/1762906015538852016 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1323431' first='Rodney' last='Jackson'] embodies a skill set reminiscent of Darren Sproles. Jackson, showcases good athletic ability by displaying good post-snap vision with a very good explosive burst through tackles. His agility, contact balance, and change of direction enable him to quickly move north-south, evade backfield penetration, or one-cut to the cutback lane. With his natural balance, strong leg drive, and lateral agility, he can absorb contact and gain extra yards. In the receiving game, he has strong hands and fluid route running.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 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/rodney_jackso28/status/1801404491142496300 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1345112' first='Carter' last='Tugwell'] is an elusive running back due to solid lateral agility, balance, and burst, allowing him to get upfield quickly. Tugwell displays solid post-snap vision, identifying running lanes and accelerating through gaps to move from the first level to the second. His quickness and active feet can be hard to stop. Last year, he averaged 7 yards per carry in 2023.</p>   <p>Note - Over 800 yards in 2023 </p>   <p><a href="https://x.com/TugwellCarter88">[player_tooltip player_id='1345112' first='Carter' last='Tugwell'] (@TugwellCarter88) / X</a></p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1195565' first='Isaiah' last='Stephens'] is an elusive and athletic running back with very good speed. Stephens displays a quick first step, showing good burst through tackles and good vision for reading first-level defender's post-snap. His good lateral agility and balance make him a multi-cut back who can plant and accelerate upfield quickly, bursting through the crease to the second level. Has impressive breakaway speed at the second level. He also has strong hands and good hand-eye coordination that make him a threat in the receiving game. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – Multi Sport 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/zay_quicksand/status/1781365712025428087 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1316501' first='Kevin' last='Young Jr.'] brings a quick first step, showing good burst and acceleration through the tackles and solid post-snap vision to read first-level defenders and locate the running lane. He has solid lateral agility and balance, making him a one-cut back who can plant and accelerate upfield. Young Jr. is a prospect to watch in 2024.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 2.9 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/KevinYoung2007/status/1817317946684854276 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1318989' first='Keagan' last='Statler'] is a physical, downhill running back who will get north and south, coupled with good agility to evade defenders. He displays good post-snap vision, quickly identifying gaps to explode through with good acceleration and foot quickness, effectively separating from first-level defenders. Statler consistently breaks tackles due to his good contact balance, pad level, lower body strength, and leg drive. Not to mention, he has good change of direction and lateral agility to find cut-back lanes.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Note – 3.7 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/kstatler01/status/1757129700344741955 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1294017' first='Cameron' last='Smith'] is a do-it-all running back who dominates as a lead blocker. Smith displays good post-snap vision, quickly identifying gaps to explode through with good acceleration and foot quickness. Smith consistently breaks tackles due to his good contact balance, pad level, lower body strength, and leg drive, allowing him to create additional yards. Good change of direction and lateral agility to find cut-back lanes.</p>   <p>Note - 3.5 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/smithcl157/status/1799173250163024201 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='956443' first='Caden' last='Crawford'] is a young and dynamic running back with very good speed and athleticism. He possesses good vision and a quick burst, allowing him to identify gaps and penetrate the defense quickly. His acceleration through the line of scrimmage allows him to separate from the first and second-level defenders. Crawford displays good lower body strength, foot quickness, and balance to break tackles. </p>   <p>Note - 3.4 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/CadenCrawford07/status/1712865674094162289 </div></figure>

The 2024 season in the Natural State is just weeks away, with Week Zero set to commence on August 25th. There are hundreds of talented prospects in the class of 2025 and beyond who have the potential to play at the next level, including FBS, FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA, or JUCO. Prep Redzone conducts thorough research and evaluation to uncover under-the-radar athletes poised to leave their mark on the upcoming season. Here are 25 running back prospects for coaches and recruiters to add to the recruiting board.