Top Class of 2028 Region 3 Running Backs This Season

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. Javaris Gardner, Running Back – Eastside High   Height/Weight: 5'8", 172 lbs   Stats Summary: 56 carries for 354 yards and 5 touchdowns | 1 reception for 8 yards   Evaluation: Gardner is a quick-footed, elusive back who consistently finds ways to create positive yardage. On film, his vision and patience stand out as he lets blocks develop before hitting the hole with a decisive burst. His ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces allows him to extend plays and pick up extra yardage, averaging over 6 yards per carry. Gardner is also a strong red-zone threat, converting five of his 56 carries into touchdowns. While his role in the passing game has been limited, his skill set suggests he can be a reliable check-down option. His combination of agility, balance, and quick acceleration makes him a dangerous playmaker out of the backfield.   2. Mason Pauliot, Running Back – Hernando High   Height/Weight: 5'11", 180 lbs   Stats Summary: 36 carries for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns   Evaluation: Pauliot is a north-south runner who thrives on physicality and tough yardage. He has a strong lower body that allows him to shed arm tackles and keep his legs churning for extra yards. Pauliot doesn't waste movement, getting downhill quickly and finishing runs with power. He averaged over 7 yards per carry, showing that he can maximize his touches with efficiency. While not the fastest back, he has good straight-line speed once he gets to the second level. His frame suggests he could continue to develop into a workhorse back capable of handling a heavier workload.   3. Amir Smith, Running Back – Boca Ciega High   Height/Weight: 5'8", 164 lbs   Stats Summary: 24 carries for 180 yards   Evaluation: Smith is an explosive back with breakaway speed that makes him a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. On film, his acceleration stands out—he can hit top speed in just a few strides, allowing him to turn small creases into big gains. His lateral agility is another strong point, as he changes direction fluidly to evade tacklers. While his touches have been somewhat limited, his production suggests he makes the most of his opportunities. If he continues to develop as a receiver, Smith has the potential to be a versatile offensive weapon in both the run and pass game.   4. Antonio Wright, Running Back – Somerset Academy Pembroke Pines   Height/Weight: 5'11", 155 lbs   Stats Summary: 20 carries for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns   Evaluation: Wright is a smooth, instinctive runner with a natural ability to find open lanes. His patience and vision allow him to set up defenders before making his move, and his burst through the line makes him a difficult player to contain. Wright's three touchdowns on just 20 carries show his ability to finish drives and find the end zone. Though he isn't the biggest back, his shiftiness and ability to make defenders miss make up for his lack of power. If he adds more weight and strength, he could develop into a more complete back capable of handling increased volume.   5. Jesiah Melvin, Running Back – Central High   Height/Weight: 5'7", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 63 carries for 146 yards | 3 receptions for 14 yards   Evaluation: Melvin is a compact, hard-nosed runner who brings a physical edge to the backfield. He runs with a low center of gravity, making him tough to bring down on first contact. While his yards per carry numbers aren't eye-popping, Melvin is the type of back who grinds out tough yardage and keeps the offense on schedule. His contributions in the passing game suggest he can be a reliable check-down option, but developing more explosive plays will be key for his growth. His ability to absorb contact and keep pushing forward makes him a valuable asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1895282' first='Adrian' last='Cox'], Running Back – Miami Central High   Height/Weight: 5'7", 175 lbs   Stats Summary: 11 carries for 107 yards and 3 touchdowns | 2 receptions for 31 yards   Evaluation: Cox is a dynamic back who maximizes every touch he gets. He shows excellent speed, quickness, balance and body control, allowing him to keep plays alive after initial contact. His 3 touchdowns on just 11 carries prove that he has a knack for finding the end zone, and his efficiency suggests he could handle an expanded role. Cox also provides value in the passing game, showing soft hands and the ability to make plays in space. His skill set makes him a dangerous change-of-pace back who can be utilized in a variety of ways to keep defenses guessing.   Overall Overview:   This group of running backs presents a diverse mix of skill sets, ranging from power runners to explosive playmakers. Javaris Gardner stands out as a balanced, all-around back with a strong nose for the end zone. Mason Pauliot and Jesiah Melvin provide tough, physical running styles that help their teams sustain drives, while Amir Smith and Antonio Wright are elusive, big-play threats with the ability to change games in an instant. [player_tooltip player_id='1895282' first='Adrian' last='Cox'] makes the most of his limited touches, showing great efficiency and scoring ability. Each of these backs brings a unique element to their respective offenses, making them key contributors to their teams.

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.