Sleeper Alert: 5A Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone breaks down five 5A running backs who could run wild in 2024...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Munn - Creekview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, physical runner for his size at 5-foot-9 195-pounds, Munn runs hard and can really take off down the field when he gets to the second level. He runs with authority and can pick up yards after initial contact. Just a sophomore last season, Munn helped quarterback Austin Guess handle business in the run game, giving Creekview two outstanding options out of the the backfield. As a junior this fall, look for Mun, who can also play reliable defense, to see more carries come his way. He showed a lot of promising last fall, rushing for 615 yards and four touchdowns. Look for those numbers, and his impact, to increase more this fall as a junior. He has the potential to be one of the more productive 2026 backs in the region this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214649' first='Camden' last='Cox'] – River Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Cherokee County back on the rise, Cox brings natural athleticism and a shifty running style to the River Ridge offense. Like Munn, Cox made a giant impact last fall as a sophomore, rushing for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 180-pounder shows quick feet and impressive burst up the field when he finds some space to run through. He runs with balance, staying on his feet after first contact, allowing to to run for an impressive 676 yards and five touchdowns. He's tough to corral and bring to the ground by just one defender and should be only better this fall as a junior. He has an opportunity to see plenty of touches all year long, so don't be surprised if Cox is one of the region's leading rushers this fall. He's a true under-the-radar back to remember across the area in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Rajecki - Sequoyah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another back with the potential to have a giant junior season this fall, Rejecki is an impressive overall athlete who brings a versatile skillset to the Sequoyah offense. Another Cherokee County back, Rajecki has good size at 5-foot-11 195-pounds who can make plays both as a runner, and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He shows good vision and enough speed to break off a massive run down the field. He runs hard, shows dependable hands, and has a big opportunity in front of him. He managed to rush for 537 yards and four touchdowns last year as a sophomore, so there's a good chance he'll step up his game this fall for an all-important junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090758' first='Demetrius' last='Dowdy'] - Winder-Barrow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, down-hill back who can fight his way through defenders, Dowdy brings a promising 5-foot-11 200-pound frame and was one of the top-producing Athens-area backs in the sophomore class last year. Now, he's a junior who should have an even bigger season if he continues to work hard and take the next step of his development. He's a natural runner who runs behind his pads, making him one of the tougher backs to tackle in the area. He's coming off a strong 2023 sophomore season where ran for an impressive 1,013 yards and six touchdowns. He carried the load, hitting the 100-yard mark four times. His best football is still ahead of him and could see some college opportunities come his way down the road with a strong junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brandan Ridley - McIntosh</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another sophomore back with the potential to have a "breakout" junior season, Rildey is a big, athletic back at 6-foot-1 185-pounds who can power through tackles if not wrapped up properly. He shows good vision and the ability to bounce the run outside to the perimeter. He runs with power up the middle and had a knack for falling forward at the end of runs. He flashes good burst and appears to bring above-average speed for someonehis size. In year two, Ridley ran for 863 yards and 8 touchdowns through 10 games for an average of 6.4 yards per carry. He's one of the top returning running backs in the Atlanta area for his class and could light up the stat sheet in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->