Top Sleeper Backs Running Wild In 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper running backs are off to tremendous starts to the 2024 season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552091' first='Jaylan' last='Aquino'] - Drew</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A slipper, but tough-running back who knows how to pick up yards after contact, Aquino is a physical runner at 5-foot-10 185-pounds who is running wild to start his senior season. He's a max-effort back who runs hard and gives every carry everything he has. He's coming off a productive junior season and appears to have stepped his game up to another level. The Atlanta native has run for 554 yards and five touchdowns through the first three games of the season. His best game came against North Clayton where he ran for 239 yards and one touchdown. He hasn't been stopped this year, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and finding the endzone in every game. He's an Atlanta back in the 2025 class to watch this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/trenton/dade-county-wolverines/athletes/evan-koger/football/stats/?careerid=44o96ojvmpkh1">Brandon Lyons</a> - Duluth</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sleeper Gwinnett County back who can really run, Lyons is a senior back off to an outstanding start to his final season. A quick-footed, instinctive back with a decent 5-foot-9 180-pound frame, Lyons is a shifty runner with excellent straight-line speed down the sideline. Through the first three games of the 2024 season, this Duluth playmaker has run for 382 yards on just 34 carries for an eye-opening 11.2 yards per carry. He simply hasn't been stopped so far this year. He ran for 90 yards on just nine carries in week one, 107 yards on 13 carries in week two and then 185 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries in week three. He's also caught six passes for another 122 yards and one touchdown. He's been a big-play machine so far this season who is playing like he could play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/greenville/greenville-patriots/athletes/marquel-deering/football/stats/?careerid=ju7a74msc7i66">[player_tooltip player_id='1891746' first='Marquel' last='Deering']</a> - Greenville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, physical two-way player for the small school of Greenville, Deering is a do-it-all type of player who excels on both defense at linebacker and carrying the ball on offense. He brings a strong, powerful presence to the running game and ran through defenders with ease during the first two games of the season. He ran through Columbus in week one, rushing for 137 yards on 11 carries with one touchdown, averaging an outstanding 12.5 yards per attempt. He ran wild again in week two, taking off for 137 more yards in a tough loss to Hardaway. He's a back that's tough to tackle and could be bounding off defenders all season long. Look for this versatile athlete to light up the stat sheet on both sides of the ball this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/wrightsville/johnson-county-trojans/athletes/tayshawn-norris/football/stats/?careerid=gftdskicvmip9">[player_tooltip player_id='1611793' first='Tayshawn' last='Norris']</a> - Johnson County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A natural athlete who can make plays no matter where he's lined up, Norris is a dynamic defensive back with impressive instincts, toughness, and ball skills. This small-town athlete is consistently one of the best players on the field, and he's been an extremely productive running back early in his junior season. The 6-foot-1 175-pounder has rushed for at least 100 yards through his first three games of the 2024 season, with his best game coming in a win over Montgomery County where he ran for 146 yards and one touchdown. In total, Norris has rushed for 365 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/swainsboro/swainsboro-tigers/athletes/bryson-tarver/football/stats/?careerid=a3mv3b0fua311">Bryson Tarver</a> - Swainsboro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next dynamic ball-carrier for the mighty Swainsboro Tigers, Tarver is an electric runner who can line up at quarterback or running back. As long as he has the ball in his hands, this speedy back has a chance to make a big play. He's a create runner who can sneak his way out of tough situations behind the line of scrimmage to get a positive gain. He's rushed 43 times for 334 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a promising 7.8 yards per carry through the first three games of his season. He's having a big senior season, rushing for a season-high 144 yards and three touchdowns in a week three win over Metter. He's scored a touchdown in every game so far and is likely bound for a giant final season this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->