2029 Rankings Winter Update: Scouting the Tailbacks

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</a>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout. This deal will be available throughout the Winter Rankings Cycle.   Like any other position, tailback is not a one-size-fits-all type of gig.   And what we've seen from the 14 running backs now ranked in the Prep RedZone Class of 2029 rankings is that diversity in the name of the game. We have guys who can truck defenders and others who run past them. We have some who have shown proficiency catching the ball out of the backfield and others who double as wildcat standouts.   Several of them go beyond that, playing on special teams and defense, too.   Wrap them all into one, and you've got a class that is primed to turn heads.     BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='1816732' first='Rasean' last='Brown'] South Pointe   You're going to have a hard time convincing us that Brown couldn't have been a 1,000-yard rusher as a freshman if the Stallions had given him the necessary carries. But you're also going to have a hard time convincing us that South Pointe benefitted from older brother [player_tooltip player_id='1165128' first='RJ' last='Brown'] getting getting the bulk of the carries. For starters, RJ did pretty well and the Stallions won a title. And let's not act as if Brown isn't the future of the position there. He's about to get his.   [player_tooltip player_id='437772' first='Brayden' last='Boults'] Crestwood   Similar to Brown, Boults was rarely asked to carry the load and instead split carries with an older teammate. It extends a step further in that [player_tooltip player_id='1664643' first='Calvin' last='Wofford'] has another season. The tandem will continue to improve together, and the fact that Boults has already rushed for 743 yards and nine touchdowns while showing he can catch the ball out of the backfield is leading some of even headier expectations for the youngster already attracting college coaches.    [player_tooltip player_id='1606964' first='Greg' last='Rushing'] Chesterfield    The Rams elected to use Rushing as the focal point of their offense. He had 71 more carries than anyone else on the roster and was third in receptions en route to another 164 yards and two scores. As if he wasn't doing enough, he saw plenty of time at linebacker, where he made 17 stops. As he continues to increase his size in the weight room, it should increase his tackle-breaking ability.    [player_tooltip player_id='1584084' first='Jadon' last='Inabinett'] John Paul II   Inabinett is going to be considered a diamond in the rough by most as he's playing at a relatively quiet SCISA program. But believe us when we tell you he checks more boxes than the bulk of the ball carriers in this class. In addition to a bully running style that will take on tacklers or simply out-running them, he's also a top-notch pass catcher who led the Warriors in receiving yards.    [player_tooltip player_id='2106758' first='Carter' last='Nash'] Dorman   Go ahead and put Nash into the smaller doses category, as he had not one but two 2027s ahead of him on the depth chart. But Dorman went nearly three-to-one on rush-pass play calling. And Nash gave the program reason to feature at him in those small doses as a ball carrier (388 yards, seven touchdowns) and punt returner (team-high nine returns for 124 yards).    READY FOR ROUND TWO    [player_tooltip player_id='1840730' first='Michael' last='Francis'] Aiken (pictured)   Like some of the others on this list, Francis will see his own touches increase with time and size. But his first season for a rebuilding Hornets squad presented not only some challenges but plenty of hope for his sophomore season. Francis will benefit from his own offseason regimen and that of the offensive line in front of him. There may not be a massive production increase next time around, but it feels like it's coming at some point.   [player_tooltip player_id='865974' first='Jemo' last='Stinson'] Mountain View Prep   While bouncing back and forth between the varsity and junior varsity, Stinson was able to add some production while never being asked to be the guy. That was by design after a junior started handling those duties. What it could mean in term of Stinson's long-term rise could be huge. He's short but has a solid build that will only be more impressive after an offseason in the weight room.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816981' first='Jacob' last='Johnson'] Conway    Johnson was just starting to get his sea legs under him when he went down with a non-contact ACL tear during the team's bye week. It was a blow to the team's development, as it was apparent he was a big part of the process moving ahead. While he was able to start getting some traction on the ground, he also showed he was pretty good taking swing passes. Needless to say, he's champing at the bit to get back on the field.     NEW ADDITIONS TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='2106765' first='Zyier' last='Lyde'] Wilson   Lyde was a virtual unknown as recently as the beginning of October, even for Wilson fans. That all changed over the course of the ensuing month as he started to get more and more carries and topped 200 combined rushing yards in the regular-season finale against Darlington and the first-round playoff win over May River. He also scored touchdowns in both games.    [player_tooltip player_id='2106780' first='Daylen' last='Ferguson'] Lake Marion   Ferguson didn't top 700 rushing yards as a freshman by accident. And by the end of the season, the Gators were getting creative in how they put the ball into his belly. They'd line him up next to the quarterback, in pistol schemes and even gave it to him in direct snaps. He's shifty and knows to look for holes and then explodes through them.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816423' first='Elijah' last='Owens'] Socastee   None of our tailbacks got as few looks on varsity this past fall as Owens. And, yet, he might have solidified himself as the Braves' every down back for the foreseeable future. After transitioning from the defensive side of the ball, he quickly showed how much power he was bringing to the table and put a couple linebackers on the ground.    [player_tooltip player_id='2106771' first='Dre'Quan' last='Goodwine'] West Ashley    The Wildcats were a work in progress all 2025 after a coaching change and some roster moves. Goodwine was among the positives to come out of that. At the midway point of the season, he started seeing real varsity touches and never looked back. He entered the offseason as the team's RB1 for a reason.    [player_tooltip player_id='2106756' first='Skyler' last='Cornelius'] East Clarendon    Cornelius is going to likely play six or seven different positions by the time he's done at East Clarendon. Heck, some nights he's lining up in four. He's got some decent speed, but his vision to navigate traffic when he's got the ball in his hands is a nifty skill that will keep paying dividends. On top of it, that'll add to his knowledge on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1608532' first='Kingsten' last='Bibb'] Daniel    Daniel's play callers are able to do some things with Bibb in the backfield that they wouldn't be able to under some other scenarios. On his first play of this reel, he shows off that pass catching ability on the run and at an odd angle and makes it all look easy. Tacking stuff like that onto his 607 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns is icing on the cake.

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout. This deal will be available throughout the Winter Rankings Cycle.