Tidewater’s Game Changers: The RB's dominating the field

Tidewater's running backs are redefining the region's football scene, combining power, agility, and field vision to dominate opponents week after week. With standout performances and game-changing plays, these athletes are among the region's best. We'll have more in the upcoming weeks.    Through the first seven games of the season (through 10/18/25), Moore carried the football 128 times for 1,182 yards and 18 touchdowns.   Moore's quickness off the ball is impressive, allowing him to burst through any opening at the line of scrimmage with explosive power. Once he reaches the second level, he demonstrates excellent elusiveness, cutting on a dime to evade defenders and keep the play alive. Moore's running style is physical, as he keeps his legs churning and frequently breaks tackles, making him a difficult runner to bring down. A true one-cut-and-go type, he reads blocks effectively and commits decisively, often doing the majority of his damage between the tackles. However, he also possesses the ability to turn the corner when needed, adding versatility to his game and making him a well-rounded threat on the field.      In the first seven games of the season (through 10/19/25), Jackson has showcased his prowess as a dynamic playmaker, carrying the ball 91 times for 899 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. As a true dual-threat, he excels both as a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. His top-end speed is evident on film, allowing him to break away from defenders for significant gains and touchdowns.   Jackson's physicality shines as he powers through defenders and consistently breaks tackles, making him a formidable inside runner who explodes through gaps. Equally comfortable turning the corner on defenders, he demonstrates elusiveness in open space, often making defenders miss. A decisive runner with a bit of wiggle, Jackson combines smooth cuts with a powerful running style, bringing big-play potential to every snap. His early offer list includes Duke, East Carolina, Marshall, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.      In the first six games of the season (through 10/11/24), Booker has carried the ball 76 times for 640 yards and scored five touchdowns, showcasing his effectiveness as a hard-nosed runner. Though he hasn't released a full highlight reel, his game footage against Norcum High School and clips from two other games reveal his tendency to attack the middle of the field, consistently running between the tackles while occasionally bouncing runs outside when necessary.   Booker's downhill running style is relentless; he hits the line quickly and runs with impressive physicality, making him tough to bring down. He absorbs contact well, rarely going down on initial tackles. A more comprehensive evaluation will be done once his full season highlights are available.       In the first seven weeks of the season, Nesbit has been a standout, carrying the ball 104 times for 755 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. His mid-season highlight reel opens with an impressive 35-yard touchdown run where he showcases his agility and toughness: Nesbit executes multiple jump-cuts near the line to evade defenders, hurdles the outstretched arms of would-be tacklers, and powers through additional contact down the left sideline. His acceleration is immediate; he bursts through the hole and reaches the second level so quickly that linebackers often struggle to react, allowing him to either run past or avoid them.   Nesbit's sharp cuts are seamless, losing no speed as he evades defenders, demonstrating both excellent vision and elusiveness. Equipped with a second gear, he's capable of turning routine runs into long gains. His performance has garnered offers from programs like East Carolina, Liberty, Bowling Green, James Madison, and Virginia Tech, adding to his growing list of offers.   NOTE: NESBIT ATTENDS OSCAR SMITH HIGH SCHOOL.      Through the first seven games of the season (as of 10/18/24), Martin has rushed for an impressive 932 yards and scored five touchdowns on 128 carries. Without a mid-season highlight reel, I reviewed his recent performances against Warhill and Grafton, where he displayed his skill and elusiveness. In one standout play against Grafton, Martin took a run up the middle, confronted a linebacker head-on, then executed a quick sidestep to the left, hit the outside corner, and turned it into a solid gain. In classic form, he proved his ability to make defenders miss in 1-on-1 situations—an essential trait for top running backs.   While slightly undersized, Martin maximizes his build, showing impressive balance and resilience as he absorbs contact. His quickness and low center of gravity allow him to pick his spots and slide through gaps before hitting the hole. Primarily a between-the-tackles runner, he also has the agility and speed to bounce runs outside and evade pursuit. I'm eager to see his complete season highlights to get the full picture of his performance.       Through the first seven games of his season (as of 10/18/24), Pryear has proven to be a productive runner, amassing 795 yards and 13 touchdowns on 101 carries. Although undersized at 5-foot-6 and 175 pounds, his impact on the field is undeniable. While his receiving stats aren't available, his highlight reel demonstrates his skills as a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield, adding versatility to his game.   Pryear possesses excellent peripheral vision at the second level, allowing him to spot and exploit openings. His start-stop quickness is impressive, making him elusive and challenging to bring down. He explodes through the hole with authority and shows resilience against contact, maintaining his speed and power whether running inside or outside. His ability to cut without losing acceleration makes him a dynamic threat on every snap.

Tidewater's running backs are redefining the region's football scene, combining power, agility, and field vision to dominate opponents week after week. With standout performances and game-changing plays, these athletes are among the region's best. We'll have more in the upcoming weeks.