STOCK RISERS: 2025 Running Backs Climb Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new 2025 rankings are updated on Prep Redzone, and we saw some impressive running backs rise in the latest update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who saw their ranking rise? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone takes a look...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zion Johnson - Newton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick and explosive back, Johnson didn't play a ton last year as a freshman, but when he did, he made a big impact. A little on the smaller side, Johnson plays bigger than his frame, and while he has no problem flying past defenders for a big gain, he also shows some strength for someone his age. He knows how to break tackles at the next level, and when there's a hole between the tackles, he knows how to burst through it. He gets to his top speed quickly, so if you give him some space to run, he's a threat to take it the distance. He's someone who can line up in a number of creative ways, as long as he ends up with the ball. He earned an ranking in the latest update after a promising freshman season where he rushed for 302 yards on 47 carries and 3 touchdowns. Look him to have a big sophomore season this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bo Walker- Cedar Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An electric back with big play ability, Walker played bigger than his age last year as a freshman and has plenty of speed on hand. At 5-foot-8 190-pounds, he has a compact frame with plenty of muscle. He has quick feet, can change directions well, and works the sideline well. He has burst, explosiveness, and does a good job of not going down at first contact. He runs hard, but he runs with balance. He ran behind a big, strong offensive line last year, and playing behind senior Rashod Dubinion, Walker was still able to run for 420 yards on 61 carries and 6 touchdown. He consistently flashed, and that's why he'll be playing high-level D1 football one day. He's currently ranked as the No. 44 player in the state, but look for that ranking to continue to climb over time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/shane-marshall/uatcWClv106c5oOBh81Hmw/football/stats.htm">Shane Marshall</a>&nbsp;– Irwin County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the toughest underclassmen backs in the state, Marshall was excellent last year for run-heavy Irwin County who ran wild on defenses throughout last season. Even in a backup role, Marshall made quite an impact for a freshman, showing impressive strength and power for someone his age. That's just one reason why he's now ranked as the No. 60. player in the state and the new No. 6 RB prospect. He's a strong down-hill runner who runs with good pad level and does a nice job of dragging defenders forward for extra yards. He's a physical back with impressive lower-body strength, but he's strong in the upper body as well, bench-pressing over 300-pounds. When he gets rolling past the line of scrimmage, he can be tough to bring down by just one defender. As a freshman last year, Marshall rushed for 764 yards and averaged over 6 yards per carry. He also rushed for 7 touchdowns on the season. Look for Marshall to help Irwin County run deep into the Single-A state playoffs in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/cameron-bolton/8RXxHOMMEeuAzqREozo6lw/football/stats.htm"><strong>Cameron Bolton</strong></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cameron-bolton/"> - </a></strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cameron-bolton/"><strong>Central</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top young backs in West Georgia, the Carrollton native showed lots of promise last year as a freshman, rushing for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season. He shows good footwork, gets upfield the second he sees daylight, and runs with balance as well. The tough, shifty back comes in at No. 70 in the latest update and one of the top backs in the state. He led the team in rushing and is likely to do it once again as a sophomore. He's a natural runner with playmaking ability, and he's looking to score every time he has the ball. Look for him to have a breakout sophomore season and increase his already impressive numbers from last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->