Wilson County, Tenn. Top 8th Grade (2029) Running Back Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting less than an hour from Music City, USA (Nashville) Wilson County, Tenn. is home to roughly 150,000 people. In those roughly 150,000 people there are some pretty talented Middle School football players. Below are five 2029 Running Backs from the County that caught my eye on film from the 2024 season and look like players that could become something special as they progress through their football careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1618226"],"_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-67a3ca9c07f97"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilson County</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle Tennessee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was ever a Middle School Running Back/Linebacker that looked the part of a future big time prospect on both sides of the ball, it would be Steele. Complete with a rocked up, grown-man body and corresponding strength, Steele was one of the major reasons for West Wilson Middle School going undefeated this year. Steele and the Warriors continued one of the most impressive dynasties I've ever seen on the pre-high school level, as they won their fifth straight Wilson County title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617940"],"_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-67a4f60ee55b8"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilson County</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle Tennessee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Watching some of the film available on Courtwright, there's a lot to like about the potential of what he could blossom into. As of February 2025, he's on the smaller side but plays with the toughness and strength of a prospect much bigger than the 5-foot-5 and 145-pounds he's listed at. He runs the ball with suddenness and can change direction without decelerating or taking unnecessary steps. Runs the ball hard and easily breaks through arm tackles. Additionally, has the ability to pick up any defensive player that breaks through the line in pass protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1398031"],"_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-67a4f60ee560d"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilson County</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle Tennessee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrote about Pointer Jr. back in October, but since then additional accolades have rolled in for the talented 2029 prospect. Following his eighth-grade season, he was named the CVC Conference Player of the Year with over 1,000 yards of total offense and a conference-best 29 total touchdowns. Combining his hands, hips and agility, he has really blossomed into more of a Running Back/Athlete, who may also have a future in the slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1618722"],"_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-67a4f60ee5651"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilson County</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle Tennessee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first play of the film I watched of Talley from this year, he picked up a block and nearly drove the rushing defender to the opposite hash marks--a perfect representation of his style of play. He appears to play with above average speed and is a thicker, more bruising Running Back in comparison to some of the other RBs in the Wilson County. On the defensive side of the ball he played Middle Linebacker and played the position with the same battering ram style.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1618816"],"_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-67a4f60ee5693"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wilson County</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Middle Tennessee</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you hear people in football circles refer to prospects as "having that dog in them", they are referring to kids like Auth. He lined up in several different positions for the Blue Devils including Running Back, Wide Receiver and even took direct snaps. As far as his ability as a Running Back, he's the complete package as of February 2025. Has excellent speed on film, can line up in the slot or catch passes out of the flat, and most impressively...he is a bad man as a blocker and doesn't stop until the guy he's engaged with is put into the ground. I loved watching him on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->