Small-Town Sleeper 2026 Running Backs To Know In 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are some sleeper 2026 running backs who could run wild this fall...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825728' first='Kamauri' last='Johnson'] – Seminole County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, tackle-breaking runner with good size at 6-foot-0 190-pounds, Johnson is a playmaking, chain-moving back who does a great job of running with authority and picking up yards after contact. He can wear down on opposing defenses and is coming off a big sophomore season where he rushed for 779 yards and seven touchdowns. He's one of the more underrated running backs all across South Georgia and showed why he could have a breakout junior season next fall. He ended the season with a bang rushing for 189 yards and one touchdown, then took off for 193 yards and another touchdown in the final two games of the season. If he can continue developing and working hard these next few weeks, Johnson could have a possibly dominant junior season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/milledgeville/baldwin-braves/athletes/sadur-salahuddin/football/stats/?careerid=o9mp9a6b3ihue">[player_tooltip player_id='1561821' first='Sadur' last='Salahuddin']</a> - Baldwin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sneaky fast, shifty back from Milledgeville, Salahuddin is flying under the radar heading into his junior season, but has a chance to have a possible "breakout" type of season this fall as a junior. He's not the biggest back around at just 5-foot-9 165-pounds, but he shows good vision, burst, and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. He's coming off a promising sophomore season in 2023 where he ran for 735 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a respectable 5.4 yards per carry. With senior Micah Welch heading to the next level, the Baldwin offense will need a new leading back, and Salahuddin appears to be next in line. Look for this sleeper back to have a very productive season this year as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681184' first='Tyler' last='Stephens'] - Houston County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This former Macon County back was a dependable option last year as a sophomore, rushing for a respectable 629 yards and 11 touchdowns. A smaller, quicker back with reliable hands out of the backfield, Stephens showed big-play ability all year long and will have an opportunity to have a giant junior year for the Houston County Bears. Houston County will have a new leading rusher this fall, and Stephens has enough talent to take on a big role in their offense as a junior. He brings speed, vision, and a level of elusiveness that makes him dangerous in the open field. With his ability to make plays as a pass-catcher, look for Stephens to light up the stat sheet this fall as a do-it-all type of weapon on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283878' first='Lucious' last='Murray']</strong> <strong>- Jonesboro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An electric young back on the rise who can also make big plays in the return game, this playmaking weapon can line up all over the field with the ability to make plays at running back, receiver and on special teams. This speedy 5-foot-8 180-pounder from Jonesboro is coming off an impressive sophomore season where he ran 66 times for 606 yards and three touchdowns, averaging an eye-opening 9.2 yards per carry. As a sophomore, Murray made a giant impact and brought big-play ability anytime he had the ball. Murray has a chance to have a possible "breakout" type of season if he can see more carries and targets come his way in year three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/savannah/st-andrews-lions/athletes/amari-cook/football/stats/?careerid=5tc471sb4rqff">Amari Cook</a> - St. Andrews</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A speedyback who can make defenders miss in the open field, Cook is a versatile weapon and one of the fastest 2026 backs in the Savannah area. He may not play against the best competition, but his overall talent was still on full display. He's a natural with the ball in his hands who runs hard and can be used in multiple ways. A smaller back at 5-foot-8 165-pounds, Cook is tough to coral and can slip through tackles before taking off down the field. This promising Savannah running back ran for a respctable 583 yards and seven touchdowns last year, averaging an outstanding 11 yards per carry. He also caught nine passes for an impressive 227 yards and two more touchdowns. He's a sleeper 2026 back on the rise this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->