Deep Dives: Western NC Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final leg in our Deep Dive Series will be Western North Carolina! This is definitely an under-recruited area of the state, but there is some great talent in the mountains and foothills!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will keep it going with the Top Running Backs in western North Carolina, and we will follow the same setup as we did for Mecklenburg County: The top five players will get their own individual breakdown, while our remaining players will get a summarized analysis of their abilities. Let's get started!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1728224"],"_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-69e1a3b6ca8bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've got Shiloh #1 in these rankings, and the impressive thing I love about him is the versatility of what he can do with the football in his hands. He put up strong numbers for Asheville School this past season, rushing for 1106 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year. But, it's more than the numbers. It's his physical frame at 6'2 and 220 pounds now, per his Twitter profile - that size can allow him to be a number of things on the next level - running back, linebacker, even a receiver. And then the speed and agility Shiloh shows with that size is what sets him apart for me. From a recruiting perspective, Shiloh does have offers currently from Old Dominion and Eastern Michigan, along with interest from a couple of other schools. Camp season will be big for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1290996"],"_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-69e1a3b6ca976"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With 1723 rushing yards this past season and 30 touchdowns on the ground, Cameron was statistically one of the best running backs in the state last season. Obviously, with that kind of production, Cameron has a workhorse mentality and the physical ability to continue to carry the load for a run-heavy attack. I like his size at 6'2 and 215 pounds, and we've had him pretty highly ranked overall for a while now. Campbell was the first school to offer Cameron, and I think he definitely has the ability to be a productive back on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074450"],"_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-69e1a3b6ca9f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaheem was one of the most productive backs in the state this past season, and he did it without a ton of fanfare for a strong program in Hickory. Jaheem had 1695 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns in helping lead the Red Tornadoes to the regional final in the playoffs. Jaheem has a strong frame and a nice mix of speed and power with the football in his hands. I couldn't find any recruiting interest for him, which I'm a little surprised by, given his level of production and ability. I'd love to see him in some camp settings this spring and summer up close. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1969767"],"_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-69e1a3b6caa6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Incredible production is what puts Parker on my list here at #4 in the Western NC running back rankings. This past season on an eye-popping 256 carries, Parker produced 2148 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns - as a sophomore! He's got two more years to terrorize Western NC defenses, and if he continues at this rate, he'll be up there with some of the top rushers in the history of the state. Parker's vision is elite, and the ability to cut off his blocks allows him to get into the open field at a high percentage. I think if Parker continues to grow physically, he'll start to get some recruiting interest over time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104500"],"_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-69e1a3b6caaf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've had the chance to see Kyngston up close, and I like his physical build and speed/agility ability to go along with that. It makes him a running back who can consistently carry the load for his team week in and week out. He's the #1 focus for opposing defenses, and it can be a tough ask to continue to produce with that on you. But Kyngston did it anyway this past season, rushing for 1278 yards and 8 touchdowns. If Kyngston gets into the open field, he has the speed to go the distance every time. He's been a two-time All-Conference player and Team Offensive MVP, and I'd safely bet he's going to get those accolades a 3rd time next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mentions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112038' first='Izzy' last='Payne']</strong> - St. Stephens<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope']</strong> - Newton-Conover<br><strong>Rylee Smith</strong> - Smoky Mountain<br><strong>TJ Stradford</strong> - West Lincoln<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106957' first='Jordan' last='Buford']</strong> - Hendersonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Analysis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2112038' first='Izzy' last='Payne'] is a back whose film I loved watching. The speed with the football in his hands is something defenses have trouble stopping week in and week out. [player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope'] is a smaller back physically but he makes up for that with electric speed and game-breaking ability in the open field with the football in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rylee Smith is smooth and knows how to read blocking schemes well in the Smoky Mountain run-first attack. He is vital to their success this upcoming season. TJ Stratford at 6'1 is the lead guy in a multi-faceted West Lincoln ground game. He's got the speed to go the distance in the open field consistently. [player_tooltip player_id='2106957' first='Jordan' last='Buford'] is an All-Conference player who can be a threat in both the running game and passing game for Hendersonville. He's got some college interest and will be a player to watch for a big season this upcoming year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->