Sophomore Sensations: Running Backs (Early Look)

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We had some breakout #TN2028 ball carriers last season that placed themselves on the map as guys to know but so can many others, including the backs mentioned below. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Players mentioned in no particular order)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Diving back into our rising sophomore class, here we take a brief look at our running backs. It's a developing class that will surely grow over the next three years but it looks like a solid group with a few names already generating some good buzz on the recruiting trail.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's tough to call on who will be the top back in this class right now but we have a few guys in mind that could eventually claim that top spot. Those prospects would include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1571091' first='Isaac' last='Otey'] </strong>from Page, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1585458' first='Tay' last='Starks'] </strong>out of Munford, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1084814' first='Matthew' last='Rogers'] </strong>from Knox. Catholic and Tyner Academy speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1038480' first='Dee' last='McNealy']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Otey came on in a big way last year for his Patriots offense where he took over the lead role at running back and displayed an excellent combination of power and speed to go along with his ability to catch out of the backfield. He has the size too that college coaches like, so I see a bright future from this Williamson County ball carrier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of the same can be said about Starks. The Cougars sophomore ball carrier made a big time first impression last year where Starks ran for over a 1,000 yards and placed himself in contention for Mr. Football as only a freshman. Expect to hear his name a lot over the next three years and a guy, if he remains healthy, could contend for all-time honors in rushing before his career is done.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers gained a small role last year as a freshman where he ran for a little more than 500 yards on the season, establishing himself as the team's top back going forward. College attention has already floated his way as Rogers has landed a few offers to this point with his most recent coming from SMU. More development is needed with this East TN product but I see a bright future ahead for him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1665742,"width":"311px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/mrogers.jpg?w=660" alt="" class="wp-image-1665742" style="width:311px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic and explosive, McNealy is a multi-talented young man that doesn't have the ideal running back size right now but he makes up for it with some dynamic, fast running that presents problems for opposing defenses. This guy is a big play threat coming out of the backfield that also shows upside in the passing game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Baylor Red Raiders could have their backfield of the future already in place with sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1177844' first='Chris' last='Gordon'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1030608' first='Jack' last='Ferguson']</strong>. Neither of these guys have had the chance to make their mark yet as they sit behind others but in the future, I look for both these to establish themselves as top backs. Ferguson is someone I know a lot as I've seen him perform multiple times at our #PRZTN Showcases and he is an athletic runner that could develop as one of the better pass catching backs from his class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2024 season went along, Sevier Co. sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661127' first='Nathan' last='Patterson'] </strong>began to take over the lead role at running back and he performed very well, providing balance alongside the Smoky Bears high potent passing attack. Patterson has good size for the position along with a nice combination of power and speed that translate well to the college game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have several all-purpose backs within this #TN208 positional class that aren't the biggest but show dynamic running skills that could warrant eventual college looks. Those guys include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589943' first='Quincy' last='Mitchell'] </strong>from Forrest, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133753' first='DeSean' last='Burnette'] </strong>out of Lausanne, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1029916' first='Micah' last='Nance'] </strong>from Blackman and MTCS stud ball carrier <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1066002' first='Alie' last='Bangura']</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1595937,"width":"290px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/qmitchell.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1595937" style="width:290px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell had a strong coming out party for his Rockets team last year as he took over the top spot at running back and produced a strong freshman season. This is an undersized back that uses his elusive running style and speed to find success. Burnette is a little known prospect at the moment that has yet to make his mark but this Fall could be his place to establish himself as the Lynx top back in the future.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nance could be the future at running back for his Blaze squad. He gained some lite experience last season but could step into a bigger role this Fall, where Nance may take over as the lead back and provide big play abilities out of the backfield. After running for over 1,000 yards last year as a freshman, Bangura could be a future Mr. Football contender for his Cougars squad. Undersized at 5 '7 160 plus pounds, Bangura makes up for the lack of size with some tough between the tackles running as well as deceptive speed that allows him to quickly get into open space.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Carroll rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088093' first='Mason' last='Taylor'] </strong>is a name to watch going forward from the West Tennessee region that already has the college size (5'10 200 lbs) and balance to become a top tier back from his recruiting class. He has much to do within his development but early on, I like what I see from Taylor and his future for his War Eagles program.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1088095,"width":"242px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/Mason-Taylor-West-Carroll-TN-28.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1088095" style="width:242px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Built almost in the same fashion is Lenoir City sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1187257' first='Eli' last='Whaley']</strong> and Clarksville Academy ball carrier <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1661145' first='Jayden' last='Ladner']</strong>. Both these guys bring good size to the field along with strong running that present issues for opposing defenses. Both need future development with their speed and overall athleticism but I see future starting backs in Whaley and Ladner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It may take a little longer before <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088019' first='Ty' last='Hollingsworth'] </strong>becomes the starting back at Milan due to an incumbent senior and Mr. Football winner but this rising sophomore has the tools to become “the guy” in time and potentially one of the best ball carriers from his region and classification.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two small town running backs to know about and watch in the future are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094310' first='Justus' last='Nelson'] </strong>from Rockwood and Greenfield sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1065915' first='Westin' last='Porter']</strong>. Both these guys have an uphill battle on the recruiting scene due to their lower classification status but are talented ball carriers that show potential college upside with continued development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still early in the process for this position group as others will jump up into the conversation and establish themselves as starting backs for their respective teams. There is tons of time for development as well as evaluation on our end for the #TN2028 running backs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect this position group to grow larger over the coming year and see some guys step forward to become college level guys. There are also plenty of opportunities out there for prospects to contend for that top spot among the sophomore running backs, so stay tuned to this position for further growth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1183524,"width":"307px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Ty-Hollingsworth-TN-RT.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1183524" style="width:307px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->