The Five: TN2027 Top Power Backs

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">College staffs like to use multiple backs within their offensive systems, including big, power backs that can break tackles and churn out tough yards. These ball carriers below present those abilities along with potential to improve throughout this off-season and into their senior years. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='905235' first='Khamoni' last='Williams'] - Southwind</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- The Jaguars brought in Williams to be a difference maker for the 2026 season and I expect him to shine within a new offense that may lean on the run game. Standing 5 '11, 200 plus pounds, Williams has the broad shoulders and overall size to run around or over his opponent then find himself in the open field. Once Williams gets a head of steam behind him, defenders have a tough time bringing him down due to his powerful lower base and wide base frame. This guy has good athleticism and speed, which will be factors on the next level but it's his power that could get him on the field sooner as a starter. All the physical traits are in-place for Williams to become an impact player this Fall for Southwind but also onto the collegiate gridiron.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='1665478' first='Jean-Pierre' last='Eto'o'] - Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Eto'o is one of the more interesting cases we have from the TN2027 class that has the power profile wanted in college to excel at running back but some staffs may like this Canadian native best at linebacker. What makes things tough to evaluate Eto'o properly is that he shares the backfield with potentially the best running back in the country, so his number wasn't called a lot last year. His clips do show potential running the football, especially as a power back that displays patience but once he finds the hole and gets going, defenders have trouble dealing with him. The Red Raiders senior is well built physically too with the look college coaches would drool over. His camp performances this summer will go a long way towards where his recruitment may go.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1370886' first='Jaibriel' last='Bowers'] - Bartlett</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Standing 6'1 195 pounds, Bowers has the prototypical look and size of today's college backs. He brings a nice combination of athleticism and strength to the field along with low tread on the tires. The Panthers senior runner has the chance to develop into a nice power back in college and maybe a three down guy if Bowers develops his pass catching further. What I like most about Bowers is how he runs behind his pads while showing good contact balance. Defenders have a tough time grasping onto Bowers due to his broad size and lower base strength. I do think the Panthers back has more levels to his game that hopefully we see this Fall and into the future on the college playing stage. Bowers will share the backfield this Fall at Bartlett but he should be the featured guy and a sleeper Mr. Football candidate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2119281,"width":"251px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/jbowers.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2119281" style="width:251px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='1667459' first='Trevel' last='Gordon'] - Smyrna</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- As we inch closer to summer camp season, Gordon is an under the radar talent that I like on film and think he has his best football days ahead of him. What this Mid-Tennessee product brings to the field is athleticism, power and speed that translates well to the next level. His size alone and power profile is quite appealing. Gordon stands 6 '2 195 pounds with room to pack on more weight. Not only is this guy big but the Bulldogs back runs well too. He gets out of his stance and down field quickly and once he gets going into space, Gordon is tough to bring down. I see upside as a pass catcher and protector as well. His work this summer in camps and into his senior year will go a long way in his recruitment and working his way to the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='1668510' first='D.K.' last='Woods'] - Crockett Co.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Woods returns for the 2026 season as one of the more productive backs in the state as he has run for over 1,200 yards the past two years. A big part of why the Cavs senior has been so productive is due to his contact balance and powerful running. This dude is an absolute load to deal with for opposing defenses. Woods stands 5'10 225 pounds with a broad upper body and tree trunks for legs. You tend to see defenders bouncing off the Cavs running back when watching his film. The biggest thing holding coaches back from offering is his speed. Woods does run well for his size but could certainly get faster and more explosive. If you're looking for power, this is definitely your guy and someone with a great feel for running the ball and producing positive yards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2143060,"width":"184px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.7508332222370351","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/dkwoods.webp?w=458" alt="" class="wp-image-2143060" style="aspect-ratio:0.7508332222370351;width:184px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jackson Sun</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- - - - -&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five More to Follow ……</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='2111997' first='Tyshaun' last='Jeter'] </strong>- South Gibson: Some of the best pure power and contact balance I've seen on film thus far has been from this West Tennessee ball carrier. Jeter is a bowling ball, a moving rock with powerful legs that churns through tackles on a consistent basis. Now he isn't a blazer but the Hornets running back is a max effort runner with quick enough feet to make a difference. If you want power though, Jeter is your man!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1106194' first='Kaden' last='McCrory'] </strong>- Mt. Pleasant: Standing 6'1 190 pounds, McCrory has the power profile college coaches may like but he's more of a finesse guy at the moment. His film shows some solid footwork and agility that allows McCrory to run outside but I think his future is running between the tackles with his bigger body. The Tigers running back has room to get bigger as well. I like the potential here and what McCrory could provide on the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1567089' first='Jamarcus' last='Brown'] </strong>- Rockvale: Physically well built with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Brown is an under the radar back that I think could become a better prospect with more running between the tackles. This guy has the build and overall strength to become an outstanding power back that can occasionally bounce it to the outside. Brown is coming off an injury, so it will be interesting to see how he bounces back but the talent is there to make an impact at Rockvale this Fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1260912' first='Harold' last='Marshall III'] </strong>- Northeast: Marshall is all power and someone that is tough to bring down once he gets moving down field. The Eagles ball carrier is a big dude on the field that has the physical build coaches would like but he must increase his agility and speed to become more appealing. The power department is good however with Marshall and something that may help him reach the collegiate gridiron.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(RB) [player_tooltip player_id='1668515' first='Carter' last='Pettigrew'] </strong>- Lawrence Co.: Compact with a powerful lower base, Pettigrew is a downhill runner that gets between the tackles well and continues to move down field as he bounces off tacklers. The Wildcats senior back is coming off a 1,500 yard plus season where his vision allowed him to get into the open field then his power would take over. Increased speed would help his stock a ton but the power is definitely in place.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2103280,"width":"250px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.048085787762628","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/01/109-Harold-Marshall-III.png?w=676" alt="" class="wp-image-2103280" style="aspect-ratio:1.048085787762628;width:250px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->