2027 Rankings Update: Running Backs Rising

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone North Carolina recently updated their Class of 2027 Rankings, and several players moved up in the rankings after strong sophomore seasons! This article will focus on selected Running Backs in this ranking update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378957"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679aefafece5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amir was an easy choice to move to the #1 spot in our rankings because of the talent he put on film, and the production to match it on one of the best teams in the state of North Carolina. This past season Amir rushed for 624 yards and 13 touchdowns being the #2 back behind one of the best in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='601700' first='Devon' last='Thomas']. Amir also showed some impressive receiving skills, chalking up 279 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns also. Amir has a nice speed/power combination as a back - he does a good job of hitting the hole downhill in the inside running game and also shows the strength to run through weak tackle attempts in the open field. As a receiver, Amir shows good hands and can run a variety of routes from the backfield. Amir's latest offers are from Florida State, Ohio State, Louisville, Toledo, and Baylor - there are many more, and there are many more to come, period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["653512"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679aefafecf37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really like watching this young man play - he did a lot for this 71st team on offense this past season. On an offense with 3 1000-yard rushers, Shon made the most of his touches, picking up 777 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on only 76 carries - a 10.2 yards per carry average, very impressive production. On top of that, 71st liked to line Shon up in the slot as a receiver, and he was a productive receiver as well, with 26 catches for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns, good for the 2nd overall receiver on the team. Shon's strength is his speed, he is a major asset in the kick return game as well. Shon is decisive with the ball in his hands, making quick cuts and always moving forward - there's not a lot of wasted motion with him. With some talented seniors graduating, I'm expecting him to really break out even more on one of the state's perennially best teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1320897"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679aefafecfad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like our previous player, Kaleb was used in multiple ways this past season for the Sabres. Carries were not in major abundance as South Meck had a talented senior leading the way, so Kaleb only put up 287 rushing yards on the ground with 4 rushing touchdowns, but as a receiver, Kaleb was a big threat for the Sabres. As a receiver, Kaleb was the 2nd leading receiver on the team with 30 catches for 392 yards and 4 touchdowns as a wideout. That multiple-threat ability is what we liked in moving him up in this rankings update. Kaleb is very quick and fast and can be a threat not only as a runner and receiver, he is electric as a kick returner as well - I have seen this ability up close and live myself. Kaleb will have a huge role with the Sabres next season, and I suspect we will get to know him even better in the near future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225217"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679aefafed017"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amir got the starting nod and was the lead back for a Willow Spring program that took some lumps this past season, however, Amir showed us some good flashes in the opportunities he got with the ball in his hands. Amir rushed for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season while being one of the main threats opponents tried to slow down every Friday Night. I am really impressed with Amir's speed in the open field - as he continues to grow physically I think he can really be a big-time threat if he breaks a big run. Amir shows a nice jump cut to get to the right hole on zone-based plays, and he can follow his blockers well on power/off-tackle types of plays. I think he's a little under the radar, and he could be one to watch as he develops in the offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["630404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679aefafed080"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason was the lead back this past season for the Chargers, and he had some good production, rushing for 498 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season, averaging a good 5.1 yards per carry. Mason also showed some pass-catching skills, catching 9 balls out of the backfield as well this past season. I think anytime a sophomore shows they can carry the load as the lead guy on Varsity, they deserve to move up in our rankings. Mason has quick feet and good speed to hit the hole downhill, along with some nice agility to make defenders miss at the second level. Mason is receiving some college interest and he is one of the more dedicated players I've seen at his age. I expect even more production coming into his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other running backs moving up in our rankings include:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabriel Suarez - Jack Britt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='561878' first='Terris' last='Hobbs'] - Clayton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='451403' first='Cody' last='Hernandez'] - Starmount </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->