Top Running Backs in 8A District 8

Photo: Jason Albritton, Newsome-Twitter

Shannon Jordan October 13, 2020 @ 05:57 AM

With the 2020 season starting, I’m spotlighting Running back prospects from every classification in Florida. Today we look at the 8A District 8 area which is loaded with talent. Big time players and some under the radar prospects are spotlighted below!   Beau Herrington- Ridge Community 5’9 180lbs Herrington is one of the most explosive running backs in Florida. He’s off to an unbelievable start rushing for 647 yards and nine touchdowns through four games this season. Herrington has outstanding vision and does an unbelievable job weaving through traffic, he makes sharp cuts and eludes defenders in the open field without losing speed, he has some of the best acceleration I’ve seen this year on film. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball. He is starting to get a lot of interest; currently holds offers from Warner University and Stetson University. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10362260/Beau-Herrington">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10362260/Beau-Herrington</a>   [player_tooltip player_id="50207" first="Jason" last="Albritton"]- Newsome c/o 22 5’10 215lbs Albritton is part of a four-headed monster running back rotation for Newsome. He is a classic plant and go running back with excellent vision, and quickness, he does a really good job following his blocks and finding openings in the second level, he also shows a nice stiff arm. He runs with good pad level and power, and is a move the chains back. He was first team all-county last season and is off to a good start this season. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11539515/Jason-Albritton">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11539515/Jason-Albritton</a>   J.C. Roque- Newsome c/o 23 5’9 160lbs Roque is a young back with a bright future. He adds a very nice speed dimension to Newsom’s triple option offense, he gets to the edge quickly and doesn’t waste time hitting the crease extremely fast for big gains. He has really good balance and terrific agility, even though he’s light in frame he doesn’t take big hits and knows how to protect himself. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12812871/JC-Roque">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12812871/JC-Roque</a>   Andrew Dempsey- Newsome c/o 22 5’11 170lbs Dempsey is a solid running back prospect, he’s a slasher who makes his read quickly and gets up field. He’s a very good athlete as well, showing the ability to leap over defenders and also has good hands and can be used on all three downs. What caught my eye in his film was his ability to block defenders twice his size and stand them up. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12639860/Andrew-Dempsey">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12639860/Andrew-Dempsey</a>   Jack Arnone- Newsome 5’11 185lbs Arnone is a terrific safety prospect, but he is also a really good running back who has a rare combination of incredible strength and speed (recently ran 4.54) at his age. He runs with a low center of gravity and consistently bounces off tacklers. He’s a one-cut runner that has the ability to take it to the house at any moment. He reads blocks extremely well and fights hard for yards after contact. He currently holds an offer from Valparaiso University. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11022500/Jack-Arnone">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11022500/Jack-Arnone</a>   Michael Hayes- Sarasota Riverview 5’10 205bs Hayes is an outstanding, versatile running back prospect, he’s a very patient runner that has excellent vision, he does nice job picking and sliding through the hole and finding the seam, he breaks a lot of tackles and runs with a constant forward lean. He’s also a very good punt returner. He currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and UT Martin. Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9925324/Michael-Poohdah-Hayes-Jr">https://www.hudl.com/profile/9925324/Michael-Poohdah-Hayes-Jr</a>