Where are They Now? 5 Class of ’26 RBs That Caught My Eye in ’23

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the 1st articles I wrote for PRZ in 2023 was<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/10/5-sophomore-rbs-that-have-caught-my-eye/"> 5 Sophomore RBs that caught my eye</a> . I was curious to take a look back and see how the high school careers of these 5 players has progressed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910346"],"_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-68811c48b5a76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Latimer caught our eye his Sophomore season by having 885 yards rushing with 11 points after week 5. I thought then he was a sure fire P5 prospect and the 4-Star RB/LB recently committed to the University of Wisconsin. Very athletic multisport player that has amassed 4 State Title so far in a combination of football and basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Stands Out</strong>: His agility for his size. Easily 210 now, some reports have him closer to the 225 range. He still moves in and out of defenders like he did as a 185 sophomore. Great hands out of the backfield and is a load for the defensive secondary to bring down</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> He will have a big Senior season, possibly adding that 5th State Title to his trophy case.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["422543"],"_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-68811c48b5b0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walton was already well known in the recruiting circles by his sophomore season. He had already received an offer from UGA and Auburn and he showed why in '23. He had already eclipsed the 1000-yd mark by Week 6 and had a 5 TD game v defending State runner up Cedartown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent Notre Dame commit is up to 5'10 210 and was a great get for the Irish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Stands Out</strong>: A great combination of speed and size with excellent balance at 210 pounds. Has the physicality to be a every down back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Lions are set to have a great season in '25 and Walton will be a integral part in their success. Has all the attributes to have a successful college career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090758"],"_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-68811c48b5b8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dowdy caught my eye in 2023 as a work horse at Winder Barrow. The 5'11 205 back was averaging over 20 carries a game at the time and was doing work between the tackles. He has since gone on to rush for close to 1500 yards as a Junior and named Region OPOY. He has caught the attention of several programs with Kennesaw State, Charlotte and Georgia Southern among his offer list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Stands Out: </strong>Work horse on and off the field. Not only will he carry the ball 200+ times in a season but he is a Academic All American as well. Weight room warrior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> He will continue to rack up big numbers this Fall. May fall through the P4 cracks this recruiting cycle put has the potential to get to that level in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910352"],"_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-68811c48b5c02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It has taken a little while for Caldwell's talents to get recognized in the recruiting world but I saw it 2 years ago. Bucknell, Delaware State, Fordham, Dartmouth are among the schools that have offered the State Championship MVP recently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caldwell caught our eye his Sophomore year by eclipsing the 100-yd mark in 4 of Hebron's 1st 5 games that season. I saw him live last Fall in the State Championship where he was electric vs Prince Ave. He had over 180 yards rushing with 3 TDs vs one of the top defenses in the State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>What Stands Out: </strong>Elusiveness; Dual threat. Slippery with the ball in his hands. Shows great patience in letting holes open up then explodes through quick. High academics (4.4 GPA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Outlook: </strong>Hebron has a good shot at defending their Title. Caldwell will make an outstanding SB at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908956"],"_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-68811c48b5c82"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Curry picked up a lot of accolades from myself and fellow writers back in 2023 after rushing for multiple TDs in several of Washington-Wilkes 1st 6 games. He has since flown under the radar. The 2x All Region RB moved to the QB1 position in '24 and accounted for 1200 yards with 16 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Stands Out:</strong> Explosiveness. Curry moved to QB for the needs of his team but projects as a ATH at the next level. Explodes through openings as fast as anyone I've seen. He recently picked up an offer from Reinhardt College after his performance at Camp. Hard to ignore his natural athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> Breakout Senior coming. WW has a lot of talent returning this Fall and a deep playoff run will get more eyes on Curry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->