Small-Town Peach State Running Backs On The Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These small-town running backs are bound for big 2026 seasons...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2129350"],"_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-69938dc02f71d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big, physical two-way standout who delivered bruises both as a linebacker and a running back last season. Duru plays at Whitewater High in Fayetteville, and as a junior last year Duru showed he's one of the more physically gifted runners in the region. Sharing the load at running back, the powerful, tackle-breaking back stands at 6-foot-1 225-pounds and was able to run for 510 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging a respectable 6.1 yards per rush. He'll be added to the next 2027 Prep Redzone rankings next month with the potential to have a really strong senior season later this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2091219"],"_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-69938dc02f797"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more underrated running backs across Middle Georgia, this Cordele native is fresh off a really productive junior season where he led Cris County in rushing. A slippery, shifty runner who can score on any particular carry, Brown is one of the top rushers in the area who took off for 758 yards last season with 12 touchdowns. A dependable, big-play machine, Brown averaged an impressive 7.9 yards per carry while also providing help as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Brown should see a bump in the next 2027 Prep Redzone rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2100175"],"_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-69938dc02f7ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A West Georgia back who shined throughout his junior season last year, Coleman is a dynamic runner who knows how to naturally elude defenders down the field. One of the region's fastest and most productive backs, Coleman showed easy D1-caliber potential last fall as he ran for an impressive 1,169 yards and 18 touchdowns. He averaged over 7 yards per rush and averaged 83 yards on the ground per game. His change of direction, vision, and overall talent should allow him to have a tremendous senior season in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["662802"],"_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-69938dc02f842"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another North Georgia running back flying under the radar, Chadwick is a natural athlete at Calhoun who was a major weapon at running back last season. He also helped on defense, but Chadwick proved he's one of the top sleeper running backs in the 2027 class in that area of North Georgia. The tackle-breaking 6-foot-2 215-pounder was a consistent, productive runner last season as he rushed for just over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged an eye-opening 9.3 yards per attempt and is one of the top returning players in the region for the 2026 season. Chadwick should see a new Prep Redzone ranking come his way in the spring update next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2106127"],"_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-69938dc02f89d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Surprise, surprise. Another North Georgia running back is flying under the radar after a strong junior season. Wyngaard, an impressive back with plenty of speed out of Pickens High in Jasper, is coming off a productive 2025 season where he ran for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a threat to score anytime he had the ball in space with enough speed to out-run defenders down the field. He's quick, shows impressive burst, and even with his 5-foot-9 175-pound frame, this sleeper back knows how to slip his way through defenders. He's a small-town back bound for a big senior season next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->