Hidden Gems: Underrated Running Back Prospects to Watch

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.   These players are all talented and have college-level abilities. Some of these players have a few offers, but all of them have the ability to play college football at some level.   There are some big-time, highly rated prospects and several sleeper prospects who should all be getting looks for the next level. This list is full of stud prospects.   Prep Redzone Florida will always support every player on their journey to playing college football.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='1143129' first='Bryson' last='Willis'], Running Back – Williston High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 160 lbs   Stats Summary: 65 carries for 407 yards and 3 touchdowns, 6 receptions for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns   Evaluation: Willis is an explosive, versatile back who can make an impact both as a runner and a receiver. Despite his slighter build, he is a dynamic open-field runner with the ability to turn the corner quickly and create big plays. His 6 receptions for 125 yards highlight his threat as a receiving back, and he shows good ball tracking skills on screens and quick throws. While he could add muscle to absorb more contact, his speed and vision in the open field are his biggest assets.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1581890' first='Ta'darius' last='Washington'], Running Back – Raines High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 126 carries for 939 yards and 17 touchdowns, 13 receptions for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns   Evaluation: Washington is a workhorse back with excellent speed, vision, and agility. His 17 touchdowns reflect his ability to finish drives and find the end zone, while his 13 receptions and 235 yards demonstrate his capability in the passing game. He plays with a strong low center of gravity, making it tough for defenders to bring him down with just one hit. His ability to break tackles and make defenders miss in the open field gives him big-play potential. Washington could refine his blocking and ball security to elevate his all-around game.   3. Andrew Ulysse, Running Back – Palm Beach Central High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 190 lbs   Stats Summary: 70 carries for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns, 3 receptions for 28 yards   Evaluation: Ulysse is a balanced back with a solid build and the ability to gain tough yards between the tackles. While his overall yardage total is lower than some, he shows good vision and patience as a ball carrier. His strength and ability to break arm tackles are evident in his play. He is still developing as a pass-catching threat, as seen with just 3 receptions, but there is potential for him to expand his role in the passing game. Ulysse has the size and physicality to be a reliable back in short-yardage and goal-line situations.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1142237' first='Macrea' last='Thompson'], Running Back – Fort Myers High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 195 lbs   Stats Summary: 75 carries for 201 yards and 12 touchdowns, 1 reception for 16 yards   Evaluation: Thompson is a powerful back who excels in short-yardage situations and near the goal line, as shown by his 12 touchdowns. His stocky build allows him to run through contact, and he is difficult to bring down in close quarters. He shows the ability to grind out tough yards, making him an ideal red-zone back. Improving his consistency as a runner and his ability to break into the open field will enhance his overall game.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1209080' first='Ladarius' last='Thomas'], Running Back – New Smyrna Beach High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 52 carries for 331 yards and 5 touchdowns, 3 receptions for 62 yards   Evaluation: Thomas is an agile and quick back with a burst of speed when hitting the hole. His ability to turn a small opening into a big gain is a notable strength. His 5 touchdowns reflect his ability to get into the end zone in a variety of ways. Thomas also shows the ability to contribute in the passing game, with 62 receiving yards on just 3 catches. He will need to improve his overall consistency as a ball carrier and work on his strength to avoid being brought down too easily, but his speed and vision are assets.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1226673' first='Sam' last='Sparacio'], Running Back – First Baptist Academy   Height/Weight: 5'9", 165 lbs   Stats Summary: 124 carries for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns, 59 receptions for 761 yards and 9 touchdowns   Evaluation: Sparacio is an elite dual-threat back who excels both as a runner and receiver. His 59 receptions and 761 yards as a receiver highlight his ability to stretch the field and be a serious threat in the passing game. His 11 touchdowns on the ground show his ability to produce in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Sparacio has elite acceleration and vision, making him a dynamic threat in both the run and passing game. His agility and ability to make defenders miss in the open field make him one of the most versatile backs on this list.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='927715' first='Donte' last='Perry'], Running Back – Mandarin High   Height/Weight: 5'10", 170 lbs   Stats Summary: 20 carries for 123 yards and 5 touchdowns   Evaluation: Perry is a short-yardage specialist who can capitalize on opportunities near the goal line, as evidenced by his 5 touchdowns on just 20 carries. His ability to find the end zone in tight spaces is a key strength, and his vision and quickness allow him to turn small openings into big plays. However, his limited workload suggests room to develop as an every-down back. Perry's ability to contribute in short bursts makes him a potential asset in specialized roles.   Overall Overview:   This group of running backs showcases a wide variety of skill sets. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1226673' first='Sam' last='Sparacio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1581890' first='Ta'darius' last='Washington'] have elite versatility, contributing both as runners and pass-catchers, while players like [player_tooltip player_id='1142237' first='Macrea' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='927715' first='Donte' last='Perry'] bring strong power and goal-line abilities. [player_tooltip player_id='1143129' first='Bryson' last='Willis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1209080' first='Ladarius' last='Thomas'] add speed and agility to their game, with the ability to make explosive plays. Overall, this group represents a balance of speed, power, and receiving ability, with several players having the potential to contribute in multiple facets of an offense.

Florida has long been a hotbed of high school football talent. Annually, Florida produces some of the nation's top prospects. Florida athletes are known for their speed, agility, and raw athleticism. These prospects have made names for themselves and have caught the attention of coaches and scouts at the collegiate level. With the 2025 season getting closer, we're looking for players whose stock is rising in the state.