Last Tuesday on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit, Scott Janovitz and I broke down the top (rising senior) running backs in the state of Georgia. Below are our lists of each of our top fives. As a disclaimer we should point out that this crop of RB is the norm, maybe even a little down compared to normal. It actually seems a little worse than it actually is though because last year's crop is in everyone's mind. Last year you had Storm Johnson, Jessel Curry, Rajon Neal, Rajaan Bennett, Mack Brown, Charles Perkins, Ean Pemberton, Ken "Boo" Malcolm, Clarence Jackson, Raymond "The Colonel" Sanders, Jon Lee and several others that received big-time scholly's to big-time programs. It was a phenominal year in terms of running backs. Hard to top. This year, you have the best RB from last year (Isaiah Crowell) and some other quality TBs. Does the list stack up to last year? No. Will any in the next 10 years? Maybe not. But enjoy
Scott's top five.
1)Isaiah Crowell, Carver,: Tremendous all-around break, with great vision, speed, hands and quickness. Is he tough enough between the tackles?
2)Marcus Caffey, Grady, 6-0, 175: Offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi State. Runs very upright, and is tall, which makes his change of direction a bit more methodical, but he runs with quality speed and great vision. Impressive top-end speed for his size. Good moves and cutting ability, though. Very physical between the tackles and quick to the hole. A more explosive athlete than Morgan.
3)Quartterrio Morgan, Mt. Zion, 5-10, 180: Hits the hole with tremendous speed and aggression, has a great first cut and excellent vision. Also shows good toughness and decent speed.
4)Akeem Hunt, Newton, 5-11, 170: Offers from Auburn, Minnesota, Purdue, South Carolina, South Florida, Wake, and Wisconsin. Needs to add weight to nice frame, to go along with good speed. Great quickness through the hole, but also very effective at getting outside. Great hands. Great agility and moves.
5)Willie Davis, Stephenson, 5-11, 190: Committed to South Florida. Good moves, agility, size and strength. Clearly not as fast or explosive as Morgan or Caffey. Good, tough, between the tackles runner. Doesn’t seem to have the same type of vision as the better backs.
Fletcher's list
1) Isaiah Crowell. Not much you can say about this guy that I haven't gushed about many a time on this blog. He has a gear that I've never seen on the high school level. I've seen fast guys before but his gear....I hope Georgia gets this guy. Not sure they will (as I see him going to Bama to team with Richardson to replace Ingram), but I hope so. He makes angles disappear. He is just straight fast. In-Credible.
2) Quan Bray, 5'10 Callaway. I wouldn't call him a running back at the next level, but as far as high school goes, he certainly qualifies for this list. I'd play him at a sort of hybrid Percy Harvin/Damian Gary type that can run but can also go out to the slot. Maybe even an A back at GT. So fast, just get this athlete on the field.
3) Marcus Caffey. Rivals has him #41 running back in the country but don't buy into the 3-star ranking. he is GOOD. Arkie, UK, Maryland, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Vandy, Wake and West VA all seem to think so. If not for Damian Swann on defense at Grady, THIS would be the Knight everyone would be talking about.
4) Willie Davis. He played behind the Colonel last season but still managed 700+ yards. South Florida and Skip Holtz are both getting a good one here. I cannot wait to see his numbers climb once he is the focus of the Stephenson attack. Sleeper here.
5) Aaron Wimberly. South Gwinnett 5'11. I went off the board and away from Quartterio Morgan just to mix it up a bit. I like what Wimberly can do and without Kent Rollins, John Small and the Comets can center the offense around Wimberly. So far he just has an offer from Troy, but that list should climb this season.
Also receiving consideration: Ralph David Abernathy, 5'6 153. Westminster. 4.42 40. Offers from Cincy, Air Force, Ole Miss. It seems like the 3-star back has been there for 6 years doesn't it?; Shaq O'Neal, Northside-WR. This is one of the fastest BIG backs I've seen in my time covering GaHSFB. So big, but can MOVE once going. Kind of like Bowser on SNES MarioKart.
Tomorrow I'll give out our GA prospect dream teams, a team of 23 (11 offense, 11 defense, 1 K) that we each made of the class of 2011 stars.
You'll also get TheFletch tomorrow and on Monday, check back to SBF for a piece on Roger McDowell, the Braves pitching coach.
No comments:
Post a Comment