Underrated 2027 Running Backs To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sleeper 2027 running backs are running wild to start the 2024 season...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/hephzibah/hephzibah-rebels/athletes/reante-byrd/football/stats/?careerid=mfi685bi37l11">[player_tooltip player_id='1584780' first='Reante' last='Byrd']</a> - Hephizbah </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, two-way sophomore who can run through defenders on offense, Byrd has been one of the most productive young backs in Georgia to start the 2024 season. This strong, chain-moving back runs with power, balance, and can be tough to bring down to the ground with first contact. Through his first three games of the season, Byrd has been almost unstoppable, rushing for 525 yards and four touchdowns. He ran for 193 yards in week one, 183 yards in week two, and then 149 yards in week three. He's also rushed for at least one touchdown in every game so far while rushing for an impressive 8.6 yards per carry. He's a tackle-breaking machine, but he also brings enough speed to take off down the field when he gets to the second level. He's a sophomore back to know about moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/darien/mcintosh-county-academy-buccaneers/athletes/earnest-mcintosh/football/stats/?careerid=6bvulm6gvcnk4">[player_tooltip player_id='942241' first='Earnest' last='McIntosh']</a> - McIntosh Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sleeper South Georgia running back on the rise in the Savannah/Brunswick area, McIntosh is a back who knows how to lower his shoulder to take on would-be defenders. A tough, physical back who can pick up tough yards, Mcintosh also brings a shifty style of running with the ability to make defenders miss. At 6-foot-1 185-pounds, this young back does a nice job of running hard behind his pads, shows good vision, and while he's not a burner, he can pick up big yards when given some room to run. In four games, this fast-rising back has rushed for over 100 yards in three games, rushing for 134 yards in week one, 142 yards in week two, and then 147 yards in week four, totaling 489 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Both are towards the top of the leaderboards for sophomore backs across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/ludowici/long-county-blue-tide/athletes/jason-familia/football/stats/?careerid=a7qvsbtt2mubb">[player_tooltip player_id='1584814' first='Jason' last='Familia']</a> - Long County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tremendously productive small-town back from Long County, Familia is a hard-running back who loves the game and gives max-effort every time he has the ball. A multi-sport standout at 5-foot-10 175-pounds, Familia is a South Georgia back who has been tough to tackle all season long. Through his first three games, Familia has run wild for 147 yards, 139 yards, and 199 yards with five total touchdowns. He's averaging an eye-opening 162 yards per game along with an unbelievable 20 yards per carry. He can score anytime he has the ball and has been one of the more productive backs across the state for his class. Don't expect him to slow down anytime soon, and if he keeps up this stellar play, look for some college coaches to start taking notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1584804' first='Caden' last='Waye'] – Ola</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A young but talented Middle Georgia back on the rise, Waye is coming off a strong freshman season where he ran for 729 yards and four touchdowns. Now, the 5-foot-11 185-pounder is off to an excellent start to his sophomore season, rushing for 409 yards and six touchdowns so far this year, averaging just over 100 yards per game. He runs hard, picks up tough yards, and can really wear down a defense. He's one of the top 2027 backs in the area and will flash D1 potential at times. His best football is still ahead of him, and it's clear he's bound for a strong rest of his second season. His biggest game so far came against Locust Grove where he took off for 157 yards and five touchdowns. He's a back who could see some new offers come his way after the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1635666' first='AB' last='Hilton'] - Screven County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another South Georgia back in the Statesboro area, Hilton is a powerful, tackle-breaking back with plenty of speed. At 6-foot-0 190-pounds, Hilton is an outstanding overall athlete who runs an excellent 10.97 in the 100-meter. He can run, jump, and plays the game at a high level. He's already one of the better backs in the area and is really opening some eyes to start his sophomore season. This playmaking back has run for 386 yards and four touchdowns through his first three games. He ran for a respectable 119 and 83 yards in week one and two, but ran wild in week three against Claxton for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He's averaging a strong 6.8 yards per carry and 128 yards per game so far this season. If he keeps it up and continues to develop and add more muscle over the next two years, Hilton could see some college opportunities come his way down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->