Scouting The Class: #TN2023 Running Backs

The 2022 class of running backs had some solid prospects but it wasn’t that deep, however the 2023 class does have some depth and multiple prospects that can make it to the Division 1 college football level. Moving along in “Scouting The Class”, here we look at some of the top running back prospects from across the state heading into the offseason and Fall football season. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="102176" first="DeSean" last="Bishop"] (5’11 190) - Karns <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285959" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/dbishop3-300x237.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="237" /> - There is no question at this juncture that Bishop is the top running back college prospect in-state and it’s well warranted, especially after running for over 3,000 yards as a junior and leading the entire country in rushing. The Beavers star back was given the ball a lot last year, displaying his big play abilities whether that was running it on the ground or catching the ball through the air. Bishop is a do everything style back that can run it, catch it or block and this offseason thus far has been key for this East Tennessee product as I’ve already seen improvement with his skills outside of running the ball. This is a big play guy that can find paydirt quickly and collegiate coaches are seeing the same thing. Bishop holds multiple P5, D1 offers already and I expect many more to arrive sooner than later. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11346372/619ab8c96899180b24d1b600">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11346372/619ab8c96899180b24d1b600</a>   2. [player_tooltip player_id="102349" first="Noah" last="Vaughn"] (5’9 190) - Maryville - Vaughn heads into this offseason as not only one of the top backs from the East Tennessee region but also the entire state and a prospect that soon could see his recruitment bust open into another level. Multi talented and versatile, Vaughn brings a lot of tools to the offensive backfield that plays up inside the collegiate game but of course he must continue to develop and become the best back possible. The Rebels star offensive prospect is fast and someone that runs well behind his pads, making things tough for defenders as he has the speed and power to find the end zone on a consistent basis. He is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield, so it’s hard to pull him off the field. Look for Vaughn’s stock to continue to rise over the coming months as more coaches view and breakdown his junior film. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10182120/6134fbe34deb890fd06e1578">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10182120/6134fbe34deb890fd06e1578</a>   3. [player_tooltip player_id="102343" first="Bralyn" last="Taylor"] (5’10 185) - Dyer Co. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285960" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/brataylor-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - College coaches and fellow scouts need to start learning about this little known West Tennessee running back as Taylor may be one of the more talented backs we have in-state for the 2023 class. Fast and elusive, Taylor is a big play threat waiting to happen and brings a lot of athletic tools to the offensive backfield that play up on the collegiate level. The biggest trait that stands out on film about Taylor is his vision and ability to hit the open field in a hurry. The Choctaws star back has the speed to burst through the line quickly and hit open space on his way to finding the end zone. He is also well balanced, sporting nice lower body strength and power that helps him push through would be tacklers. I’m very curious to see where his recruitment goes because Taylor has the talents to be one of the top backs from this class. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8014688/619d2f0ce97b010a88a3edcc">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8014688/619d2f0ce97b010a88a3edcc</a>   4. [player_tooltip player_id="259585" first="Juan" last="Bullard"] (6’0 200) - East Hamilton - If you are looking for a back with a nice combination of size, power and speed, Bullard could be your guy. This Chattanooga area running back took over as the lead man for the Canes last season and broke through as a legit college level prospect and someone poised for a big upcoming senior year. Bullard is a tough guy to stop as he brings a lot of physical tools to the football field that defenders have a hard time dealing with. He is big, he is fast and he has the juice to run over or around a defender, working his way towards the end zone. Bullard is a talented young man that has yet to see his 1st offer arrive but buzz is building on him and would not be surprising to see his recruitment kick off here pretty soon. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14679679/61b621783864150d702456b6">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14679679/61b621783864150d702456b6</a>   5. [player_tooltip player_id="102193" first="Arion" last="Carter"] (6’1 210) - Smyrna <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285965" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/arcarter-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - The Bulldogs have themselves a bell cow back here in Carter that not only has great size and power but also short area quickness that makes it hard for defenders to bring down. His size of course is the biggest trait that stands out when watching his film but it’s also his quick 1st step and burst into the 2nd level that is equally as impressive. Carter runs extremely hard, so with his overwhelming power, defensive prospects have a hard time grabbing hold of him. He is a perfect option for a short area back that can get those much needed 2 to 3 yards but also has the juice to break through for a big gain as well. The Bulldogs star offensive threat must continue to develop the rest of his skill set, like pass blocking and receiving but the talent and upside is there to be recruited into the college game. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11544205/613c43e13df51b06a4d0e698">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11544205/613c43e13df51b06a4d0e698</a>   6. [player_tooltip player_id="102246" first="Tre" last="Hartwell"] (6’0 220) - Independence - Hartwell is the best looking back on this list when it comes to a physicality standpoint but he has some juice in this body along with tremendous football smarts and a work-mans like mentality. This Eagles running back is an absolute load for defenders to handle and when he gets into the open field, Hartwell is tough to bring down due to his combo of speed and power. This guy is a patient runner that finds the open hole then explodes with no hesitation. He is not afraid to use his body to punish defenders and pick up those much needed positive yards. What also makes Hartwell an intriguing prospect is his willingness to block and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Hartwell can even line up in the slot and run routes. This Middle Tennessee product may not have that blazing speed as some but he brings a lot to the table that collegiate coaches love to work with. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13623743/613cace9b53e5309005761f6">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13623743/613cace9b53e5309005761f6</a>   7. [player_tooltip player_id="102288" first="Ahmad" last="Miller"] (6’0 200) - Briarcrest Christian <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285969" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/amiller3-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - A strong, powerful back with quick feet in short spaces, Miller is a big boy that can run over or around defenders while also being dependable in the passing game, whether that’s catching the ball or blocking. The Saints star back broke through last season as the #1 guy in the backfield, producing over 800 yards rushing and providing his quarterback and offense a reliable threat running the ball. The thing that excites me about Miller is the fact that he has yet to reach his maximum capabilities and he has a lot of juice in his powerful legs to become an even better back with continued work and development. He sports the size, physicality and deceptive athleticism to become a 1st and 2nd down back that can bust loose for big yards or lower the shoulder for a much needed short gain. The college offers have yet to arrive but hopefully over these offseason months ahead, Miller changes that and officially becomes a college recruited prospect. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12840023/6193f19902b31b09d4258c7a">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12840023/6193f19902b31b09d4258c7a</a>   8. [player_tooltip player_id="102218" first="Jamarion" last="Dowell"] (5’8 175) - Covington - One of the top returning rushing leaders in-state headed into the Fall season is Dowell and this elusive, big play back is squarely on the radar of collegiate coaches but his recruitment has yet to take off. That should change over these coming months, especially as more coaches view his film and the West Tennessee product puts up strong performances during camp season. Dowell has a quick burst about himself that is hard for defenders to handle. Once the ball hits his hands, Dowell shows a quick 1st step then explodes into the open field where then his speed takes over. The Chargers senior to be does need to keep adding more size to his frame as well as enhance other traits like pass catching and blocking but the talent is there to develop into a big play back that could find the end zone on a consistent basis. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12919312/619d2eb9f5600a0ac4b52e00">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12919312/619d2eb9f5600a0ac4b52e00</a>   9. [player_tooltip player_id="102256" first="Jai" last="Hundley"] (5’9 190) - Oak Ridge <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285977" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/jhundley-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Stepping in to take over the lead role for now Chattanooga bound running back [player_tooltip player_id="101990" first="Kendall" last="Jackson"], Hundley may be a better prospect to hit the D1 college level and that’s due to his elusive, quick running style and big play abilities. This Wildcats offensive threat should be the #1 guy now at Oak Ridge after transferring over from Knox. West at the beginning of the 2021 season and a back that could push for Mr. Football honors. Hundley is a tough guy to grasp and that’s because he is fast and athletic along with a quick 1st step that pushes him in the open field quickly. He is also a solid pass catcher out of the backfield, so Hundley brings a variety of tools to the offensive backfield that should appeal to collegiate coaches. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12993536/6138bd63688f1704441550f5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12993536/6138bd63688f1704441550f5</a>   10. [player_tooltip player_id="102285" first="Isiah" last="McClaine"] (5’9 195) - Lexington - McClaine is a guy that has produced a lot of yards throughout his high school career but because he plays on a low classification level, this West Tennessee back remains under the radar. A strong, sturdy and compact back, McClaine is a load to handle despite his size and once he gets into the open field, it’s hard to corral him. The Tigers star running back is tough to bring down and that’s due to his physicality and lower body strength but also his passion for running the ball. McClaine could develop into an every down back as he is durable and more than willing to step in and block in the passing game. He also sports deceptive speed and he is always looking for that end zone. This offseason will be key for McClaine and his hopes of making it into the college game. Junior Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13463970/61887a083df5ff0664e18cbe">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13463970/61887a083df5ff0664e18cbe</a> Other RB’s to Know [player_tooltip player_id="102173" first="Trevon" last="Barfield"] (5’11 185) - Knox West: Quick and elusive, Barfield has big play abilities and speed shown on film to find the end zone on any run; This is one of the more athletic backs in this class. [player_tooltip player_id="102181" first="Mason" last="Bowman"] (5’11 185) - Monterey: Bowman has produced lots of yards so far in his Wildcat career; He is a balanced back with nice size and deceptive speed; Ultimate worker [player_tooltip player_id="201094" first="Braylon" last="Cato"] (5’11 190) - Fayette Ware: This West Tennessee product burst onto the scene last season & established himself as one of the top backs from his region; Cato is well balanced and talented to reach the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="241997" first="A.D." last="Crutcher"] (5’10 175) - Red Bank: Crutcher had a breakout junior year that put him on the map as possibly the top back from the greater Chattanooga area.; Elusive & quick, Crutcher is a big play waiting to happen [player_tooltip player_id="234963" first="Jevon" last="Edmondson"] (5’9 190) - Overton: Many don’t know about this power back from Nashville yet but soon that should change; Edmondson is well balanced with nice size, power and speed. [player_tooltip player_id="153469" first="Layden" last="Grant"] (5’10 185) - Fairview: Grant produced a big junior season that put him in contention for Mr. Football honors; He returns as one of the state’s leading rushers by numbers and is poised for a big Sr year. [player_tooltip player_id="102247" first="Javoris" last="Havis"] (6’1 205) - Chatt. Christian: Havis is an intriguing prospect with size and athleticism that could play up on either side of the ball (linebacker); Miami OH recently offered this Chattanooga area back [player_tooltip player_id="102265" first="Zamaryion" last="Kendall"] (6’0 195) - Lausanne: This Lynx back is talented and has college size but he must re-focus and mature to continue developing his game and reach his dreams of playing on the collegiate level. [player_tooltip player_id="185576" first="Ontario" last="Price"] (6’0 205) - McCallie: Price is a bell cow back for his Tornadoes team that brings size, power and speed to the backfield that is hard for defenders to control. [player_tooltip player_id="119168" first="Braxton" last="Sharp"] (5’9 165) - Brighton: Dynamic and athletic, Sharp is a versatile all-purpose back that brings a variety of skills to the offensive backfield; Excellent receiver; Could play on defense as well <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-285982" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/adcrutcher-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" />