Piedmont running back Brooks Backus Brooks Backus RB Piedmont | 2028 State OK is the third running back on this breakdown and another guy who made a major leap. Backus moved up 25 spots in the latest ranking update. The Piedmont power back was incredibly productive last season and put up big numbers in Piedmont’s option attack. We got a chance to watch Backus in person during Piedmont’s spring game and he broke some long runs that definitely showcased the speed element, which has been consistently improving. But Backus is that prototypical power back that you can rely on to carry the ball and make defenses really work to get stops. His production will really go up this fall.