Breakout 2024 Running Backs To Know

There aren’t many states across the country who produce running back talent like the peach state. Two of the best backs in the NFL are peach-state products and one of the best in college football, Auburn’s Tank Bigsby, is also from Georgia. The future is in bright hands as there are many underclassmen who have started to make a name for themselves through the first five weeks of the season. Here are a few 2024 running backs who are off to tremendous starts to the season... &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137488" first="Sammy" last="Brown"] - Jefferson </strong> One of the top overall prospects regardless of class, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="137488" first="Sammy" last="Brown"] has made it look easy so far this season, rushing for 415 yards on just 25 carries for an average of 16.6 yards per carry. He’s a tough, physical runner with enough speed to fly by linebackers and defensive backs at the next level. An incredible athlete, Brown has been unstoppable this year with the ball in his hands. In a 41-14 win over Mountain View this past Friday night, Brown rushed for 107 yards on just 8 carries. He breaks tackles, keeps the chains moving, and knows how to find the endzone, scoring six touchdowns between rushing and defense. He’s a 5-star prospect for a reason and has certainly played like one so far this season. &nbsp; <strong>Duke Watson - Mary Persons</strong> An easy breakout running back candidate, Watson is a natural runner with great burst who can find the end-zone with his eyes closed. He’s a game-changing back with the speed and playmaking ability to take it to the house on any particular play. Watson  has had a monster start to his sophomore season, rushing for 671 yards and 12 touchdowns through his first four games. He’s incredible quick and agile for his age and plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 175-pound frame. He’s a smooth runner with balance and the ability to score every time he has the ball. He’s one of the hottest names in Middle Georgia right now and it won’t take long before his recruitment takes off. If he continues to rush for 168 yards for the rest of the season, he’ll have plenty of offers sooner than later. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137479" first="Kameron" last="Davis"] - Dougherty</strong> The two-sport star from Albany has five-star potential both on the gridiron and on the baseball diamond due his natural athleticism. He’s proved so far this season why he’s one of the top backs in Georgia regardless of class, and he could be one of the top backs across the country by the time his career is over. The 5-foot-10 190-pounder breaks tackles all game and makes it look easy. He’s a bruising, physical runner who can really wear down a defense and power through them as the game goes along. He plays quarterback for Dougherty but he also runs the ball from the position. He’s thrown for 380 yards so far, but he’s also rushed for 483 more on the ground in just three games. He’s such a dynamic player and he’s run through every defense he’s seen so far as a sophomore. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=4f8ec459-6078-46fa-adf3-ef423292623b&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Javon</span> Graham</a> - Fayette County</strong> In South Atlanta is where you'll find one of the top young backs across the state. A two-way player who loves to play physical as both a runner and a linebacker, Graham is a quick, shift back who has been very consistent so far in his second season. Through five games, Graham has rushed for 478 yards and has scored seven total touchdowns. He's an excellent weapon out of the backfield as well in the passing game. He's a quick threat in the screen game and has a quick bursts that allows his to create big plays down the field. He's only getting better and will be able to be more physical as he continues to develop physically and add muscle. &nbsp; <strong>TJ Mitchell - Troup County</strong> Troup County is one of the more respectable programs in West Georgia and have always been able to produce high-caliber talent. They may have a young star on their hands this season in sophomore athlete,, TJ Mitchell. A bigger, leaner athlete at 6-foot- 180-pounds, Mitchell has the toughness and physicality to make a difference on both sides of the ball. He's earned an opportunity to carry the load at running back and he's taken full advantage of it. In his last two games, Mitchell has rushed for over over 350 yards and has found the endzone three times. He's a true difference maker and a guy we'll be hearing more and more about as the season moves along. &nbsp; <strong>Antwon Carter - Heard County</strong> Another young West Georgia back, Carter is a bigger, bruising back for his age at 6-foot-0 200-pounds. He's been thrown nito the fire a little bit this season as a sophomore, and while he hasn't had the best games the two previous weeks, there's clear potential there and he should continue to see carries come his way. He's rushed for over 300 yards through the first five games, impressive for any sophomore, with his two best games coming in the first two games of the season. He's a young back to keep an eye on in the area over the next few weeks.