The Five: TN2027 Top Big Play Backs

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our senior running back class presents a lot of different options to sift through, including some guys that bring the speed, the home run hitting abilities that every college coach could find use for. Below we break down the top big play ball carriers from our senior class that includes potentially the top overall prospect from the TN2027 crop. </h2>     (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1210671' first='David' last='Gabriel-Georges'] - Baylor   - Gabriel-Georges could be inserted into any category when talking about our backs from the TN2027 class. This guy has everything you want, including the ability to break away from defenders and find himself in the end zone. Taking home Mr. Football and a state title last season, Gabriel-Georges has the ability to make one cut then turn on the burners into the open field. He does have the power if it's needed but it's his explosive running that makes him hard to handle. Catching the ball is something Gabriel-Georges displays on occasions as well and I think he could be used in this area much more in the college game. There is a reason the Red Raiders senior is considered one of the top prospects in the state and his big play abilities are factors why.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1182191' first='Brayden' last='Maples'] - Sevier Co.   - Coming over from Gatlinburg-Pittman to Sevier Co. to play his senior year, Maples is a big addition to the Smoky Bears backfield that gives them a home run threat and potential game changer. The key trait that has college coaches in pursuit of Maples is his speed. This East Tennessee product has the juice to break quickly through the line then turn on the jets into the open field. Maples displays excellent vision along with balance to break through tacklers but it's his speed that gives opposing defenses fits. He isn't asked to catch the ball too often but I see upside in the passing game with Maples. Being able to get him in space and allow his athletic abilities to take over is something college coaches may look harder at once he arrives at the next level.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] - GCA    - It will be interesting to see how Thomas bounces back from a season ending injury last Fall because prior to that, the Rams running back was building a strong stock for himself as one of the most explosive ball carriers in the state. Coaches are still seeing the upside with Thomas as he recently landed an offer from North Alabama. What this East Tennessee product brings to the field is a great combination of power and speed but it's his ability to run that makes him such a game changer. Thomas gets into open space quickly with outstanding vision then uses his speed to separate from defenders. Catching the ball out of the backfield is something Thomas does very well. He may be “the” top receiving back from the TN2027 class that could be used in the slot while being a threat in the screen game.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/tthomas.jpg?w=700" alt="" class="wp-image-1507701" style="width:258px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: GCA (Knox) RB [player_tooltip player_id='933067' first='Terrion' last='Thomas'] </figcaption></figure>   - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1261066' first='Lionel' last='Brooks'] - Spring Hill   - Coming off a 1,500 yard plus rushing season last Fall, Brooks sits as one of the more underrated backs from our senior class that brings a nice combo of big play abilities and size to the playing field, which translates well to the next level. The Raiders senior running back has the look you want in a college back (6'0 200) but he isn't a power guy. Brooks is an athletic runner that uses his vision to find the open field and once he does, he flips on the burners and out races his opponents. The great thing about Brooks is I think he has another level to his speed that should be uncovered once he gets into a college system. College interest has yet to come his way but I think that can change if Brooks displays his speed at camps this summer then turns in another strong campaign throughout his senior season.    - - - - -    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1590259' first='Jamari' last='Goines'] - Knox. West   - Looking through all the ball carriers from our TN2027 class, Goines may be one of the fastest in the state that brings that home run threat anytime the ball touches his hands. Fast, quick and shifty, the Rebels senior is hard to deal with as opposing defenders tend to miss him on first contact and once he separates, he is gone! One thing Goines must do is gain more weight. He is a little slender right now and lacking the overall size to remain on the field full time in college. The Rebels senior might turn into a perfect third down back that provides pass catching from the backfield and someone that could be utilized in the screen game. Watching how he performs this season will be interesting and if he continues to show explosive running and speed, Goines might find a spot to perform in college.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/jgoines2.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1787687" style="width:243px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Five More to Follow ……(<a href="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2027&position%5B%5D=RB&commitment=" id="https://prepredzone.com/tennessee/prospects/player-database/?player_name=&high_school_name=&class%5B%5D=2027&position%5B%5D=RB&commitment=">#TN2027 Running Back Database)</a>   (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1576799' first='Braydon' last='Weldon'] - Jackson South-Side: One of the more underrated backs we have from our senior class is this West Tennessee product that is hard to deal with in open space. Once Weldon gets steam behind and into the open field, defenders have a hard time catching up to him due to his speed. The Hawks senior back is fast but I think he can get even faster with further maturity in his body and constant work on the field and in the weight room.    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1103577' first='Caden' last='Pace'] - Ravenwood: The Raptors should be leaning heavily on Pace this coming season as he is the returning rusher and someone that can provide big play abilities out of the backfield. Quick with excellent footwork, Pace is a tough dude to handle in open space due to his size and speed. He is a bit undersized but he runs hard and fast with the ability to create yards after initial contact. Showing more work catching the football might increase his stock and push him higher within our in-state rankings.    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668505' first='Vince' last='Bryant'] - Grundy Co.: If Bryant came from a bigger program, his recruitment might be a little different right now because this guy runs hard and fast. The Yellow Jackets senior ball carrier shows a great initial burst and the speed to separate from defenders once in the open field. He also runs with good balance that allows him to break through tackles and continue churning down field. I see upside in the passing game as well with Bryant due to his natural athletic abilities.    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='904925' first='Jayden' last='McKnight'] - Stewarts Creek: McKnight could be one of the top all-purpose backs from our TN2027 class. Standing 5 '9 175 pounds, the Red Hawks senior is an elusive, quick burst ball carrier that demonstrates excellent athletic movements and the speed to separate from defenders. His size along with his agile lower base makes McKnight hard to handle in open space. Potential is there as well for this Mid-Tennessee product to be one of the better pass catching backs in the state.    (RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2140476' first='Tristan' last='Lithmexay'] - Nolensville: The Knights received a breakout junior season from this athletic runner that displays on film the ability to break away from defenders with his speed and elusive running. Lithmexay is a long term, big pay off prospect that brings athletic game play to the field and the skill set to hit the home run. He does need to continue getting bigger and adding more weight but the raw, athletic running style is already in place.    Player Note: Tullahoma (Sr) [player_tooltip player_id='2146614' first='Dominick' last='Harris'] is new to our radar and prospect database but someone to know about and follow over the coming months. This guy may turn out to be one of the more explosive ball carriers we have from the TN2027 class that could also have long term potential that fits on the big stage of college football.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/9-Jayden-McKnight-rotated.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-1687285" style="aspect-ratio:0.6669960474308301;width:219px;height:auto" /></figure>