2023 Stock Risers: Running Backs

We’re continuing our stock risers series with the sophomore running backs that impressed. The 2023 running back class is loaded, but largely due to a lack of college camps, there aren’t a lot of offers yet. When we check back after the summer, I expect the offer lists to match up with where we’ve ranked most of these guys. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44973" first="Daylan" last="Smothers"], 6’ 185- Vance (No. 1 RB, No. 3 overall)</strong> Smothers didn’t have a huge jump in our rankings, but that’s because he was ranked so highly before the season. Despite the lofty expectations, Smothers did nothing but confirm what we already knew -- that he is one of the top backs in the state regardless of class. He has some of the best vision I’ve ever seen from a player his age and he cuts effortlessly, never losing forward momentum. Already a holder of nearly a dozen offers, his recruitment will really take off this summer. <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jre-jackson/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="44989" first="Jre" last="Jackson"]</span></a>, 5’8 175- Sanford (No. 2 RB, No. 18 overall)</strong> To any college coaches reading this, do not miss out on Jackson. Since he plays in a lesser-recruited part of the state, his recruitment has taken a bit longer to get off the ground, but the offers are coming. No sophomore back in the state has better balance or pad level and he knows how to find a crease. Playing at the 3A level, Jackson put up absurd numbers, including 7-straight 100-yard games to start the year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="44998" first="Zion" last="Myers"], 5’10 200- Sanderson (No. 4 RB, No. 33 overall)</strong> Myers is athletic enough to play a couple of different positions, but he’s best at running back. He has enough speed to get to the corner and loves to hit people. He’s always seeming to fall forward and breaks a good amount of tackles. He’s a good receiver, especially for his size and understands the game and what defenses are trying to do. I’ll be interested to see if he tests well enough to earn offers from some of the top schools, but on the field he looks the part of a Power Five back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121427" first="Que’Sean" last="Brown"], 5’8 150- East Forsyth (No. 5 RB, No. 45 overall)</strong> Brown only lacks ideal size but checks every other box. The recent transfer played his sophomore season at Walkertown and though he played only four games, he lit up the stat sheet in every possible way. Already one of the best kick returners in the state, Brown proved he could be an every down back and racked up over 850 yards in just four games. He’ll need to bulk up, but if he can dominate at the 4A level with East Forsyth, he’ll more than prove himself talented enough for the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144702" first="Mikey" last="DiPasquale"], 5’11 185- Wake Forest (No. 8 RB, No. 64 overall)</strong> DiPasquale proved himself one of the state’s most productive backs this season with 4A contender Wake Forest. The 185-pounder picked up over 1000 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore, winning mostly with good vision and one-cut ability. He has the acceleration and open field speed to finish long runs once he gets to the second and third levels and has a nose for the end zone when he gets close to the goal line. <strong>Others on the Rise:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121181" first="Jayden" last="Shotwell"]- Seventy First (No. 7 RB, No. 61 overall)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104094" first="Aaron" last="Foster"]- Clayton (No. 9 RB, No. 67 overall)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144708" first="KeMarion" last="Baldwin"]- St. Pauls (No. 10 RB, No. 74 overall)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144709" first="JyMikaah" last="Wells"]- Salisbury (No. 12 RB, No. 100 overall)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144922" first="Sincere" last="Baines"]- Jack Britt (No. 13 RB, No. 115 overall)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144924" first="Akil" last="Williams"]- Charlotte Catholic (No. 14 RB, No. 118 overall)</strong>