Tour of Talent: South Florida's Top 10 RBs and Rising Talent (Class of 2019)
By Jerry Williamson
Whenever a high school football conversation concerning the mecca, known as South Florida, and the skill position at running back -- that's a receip for success.
The Miami Metropolitan area -- has produced the nation's Top 10 running backs the past four seasons such as Dalvin Cook, Joe Yearby, Mark Walton, and Amir Rasul. When you factor in the next two upcoming recruiting classes (2018 & 2019) -- South Florida will extend its streak to six consecutive seasons having a Top 10 nationally recognized running back. The class of 2018 features James Cook, the younger brother of Dalvin Cook, who's currently the nation's No.4 overall running back per 247sports. Which leads up to the class of 2019 -- which features a bundle of talented running backs. The face of the class at running back, could be a coin toss.
You have Miami Carol City's dynamic running back Nayquan Wright, who competes in the most challenging district in the state of Florida. And all he has done within two years is just earn first team All-Dade County consecutive seasons, TOC's Player of the Year finalist as well as finished top 10 in Miami-Dade County in rushing yards. In on the under hand, you have University School running back Kenny McIntosh, who has started varsity football since the 8th grade, who holds over 20 FBS scholarships and just under 3,000 career all-purpose yards as of today. So. Florida's Top 10 RBs in no particular order:
Miami Carol City | RB | Nayquan Wright | 5-9, 185
As an eighth-grader, Wright won the Miami-base youth football Hesiman Trophy Award presented by Generation Nexxt -- and was named MVP of the National Championship game and collected several D1-FBS verbal offers, before suiting up to play in his first high school varsity game.
Wright fueled the chiefs offense right out the gate as a freshman. He was named the Tournament of Champions (TOC) Player of the Year finalist. This past season, the nation's No. 9 overall RB per 247sports.com, was awarded the Miami Dolphins' High School Player of the Year award.
Wright secured the Class 6A state championship victory, as he rushed for 109 yards on 18 carries and 2 TD's over Lakeland Lake Gibson.
After interviewing the first-team all-county selection -- regarding his goals and expectations on the upcoming season -- this is what he had to say.
"My expectations this season is to win both a state and national title, and interact with the community and get all seniors into college. I want to rush for 1,500 yards and 15 TD's.", said Wright.
Academically, he sports a 3.2 unweighted and 3.4 weighted GPA. Wright most notable verbal offers consist of: Alabama, UM, UF, FSU.
Miami Central | RB | Willie Davis | 5-8, 185
The two-year varsity starter, made an immediate splash as a freshman for Archbishop McCarthy -- compiling over 700 all-purpose yards and 9 TD's. This past season, Davis crossed the county line and suited up for powerhouse, Miami Central Rockets.
The Rockets duo running backs Willie Davis and James Cook, are consider by many as the top backfield in South Florida. Davis has scored over 15 career TD's and multiple 100 yard rushing games vs. nationally ranked programs. Davis is a down-hill runner with quickness and a great blend of speed. Based on Scout.com, he holds offers from FAU & UAB. Miami Southridge | RB | Courtney Reese | 5-9, 170
The rising junior who sports a 2.8 GPA and holds one verbal offer from the University of South Florida -- plays much stronger than his listed size. He possesses an eye-opening burst, with the speed to take it the distance.
Reese was the Spartans' second-leading rusher last fall, as he powered his way for over 500 yards from scrimmage and 7 TD's on the season, behind starter and now, UCF's freshman RB Bentavious Thompson. He may not pass the initial eye-test, but he's someone that's explosive and dangerous in open space. He can also catch exceptionally well. He reminds of Brandon James on offense, who signed to UF from St. Augustine HS. University School | RB | Kenny McIntosh | 6-1, 185
The nation's No.9 overall ATHLETE -- is the younger brother to Miami (FL) R.J. McIntosh and Deon McIntosh at Notre Dame. Kenny (McIntosh) holds more offers than some seniors around the country, as he sports 21-D1 FBS offers in counting. His frame and athleticism is similar to former nationally ranked running back Bobby Washington from Miami Killian.
Kenny (McIntosh) will be a 5-year letterman come his senior season. This off-season, he was named The Opening Miami MVP at running back. He can "literally" play several positions at the next level. In 2016, McIntosh rushed for 812 yards and hauled in 20 passes for 377 yards and scored over 10 touchdowns.
The highly sought after recruit -- contributed in all three phases of the game for his team. His size for an upcoming junior quickly, catches your eye. His speed, smooth running style, and amazing hands out the backfield, tells me he'll be a running back at the next level.
Oxbridge Academy | RB | James Meeks | 5-9, 185
One of the best unknown prospects in South Florida at his position. If you don't believe me just watch his film. He's perhaps the most natural runner of the group, when you factor his elusive ability along with his power and speed. His game reminds me a lot of Ohio State's RB/WR Curtis Samuel, that was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. He sports a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Meeks hold no verbal offers at the moment, but I expect that to change soon. Especially, if a college football coache reviews his hudl after reading this article. As a freshman on varsity, Meeks found the end zone four times with limited touches. His sophomore season, consisted of 741 yards on 99 carries and 8 touchdowns, with an averaged of 7.5 yards per touch.
Miami High | RB | Marcus Barthell | 5-9, 185
Photo credit: Footballville
The transfer from Miami Edison is a familiar face. He's a young man I discovered in the 8th grade locally, for the Miami Youth Hurricanes. Barthell reports a 3.3 cumulative GPA along with four D1 offers from the likes of NC State, UGA, UAB and Jackson State.
This past spring, Barthell gave his new fan base a glimpse of what to expect this season. He carried the rock 6-times for 90 yards and 1 TD. He's another home-run threat with quickness and agility. He and senior (jack-of-all-trades) Johnny Ford, are going to be a dangerous tandem this fall.
Archbishop McCarthy | RB | Jacob Baptiste | 5-10, 195
Archbishop McCarthy is one of your Ivy league programs in the state of Florida -- that just happens to have a power five conference prospect on campus.
The No. 1 rusher in South Florida this past season (for both Miami-Dade and Broward) rushed for approximately 1,967 yards and 25 TD's (led So. Florida). The All-State selection, impressed me how well he reads his blocks and explodes between the tackles.
Furthermore, his split-second decision making and fearless style of running, stands out as well. He's a Top 5 running back in my book. I also like, how the majority of his yards gained, is between the 1 and 4 holes.
He currently, sports an offer from Valdosta State, and according to his coach -- UGA and South Carolina are showing very strong interest. His running style reminds me of former South Carolina Gamecocks RB Marcus Lattimore.
American Heritage Plantation | RB | Brandon Cohen | 5-9, 175
The transfer from Ronald Reagan is a young man I named a Rising Star before others took heave. Cohen, who led Miami-Dade County in rushing yards the past season, is perhaps the most intriguing prospect of his class. Despite rushing for 17 TD's, which led Miami-Dade County, he's still a name that many college football programs or fans locally, don't have a clue about.
Against Westland Hialeah, Cohen rushed for 6 touchdowns on seven carries and finished the game with 211 rushing yards. Here's a note, he sports a 4.2 cumulative GPA.
St. Thomas Aquinas | RB | Daniel Carter | 5-11, 195
The next highly productive running back in-line for Aquinas is upcoming junior Daniel Carter. He unlike most youngsters enjoy the weight room and passes the eye-ball test. He sports an unbelievable, 26 verbal offers, and he isn't an unfamiliar face by any means.
Dating back to the 8th grade, he (Carter) was selected first-team All-South Florida per Generation Nexxt, by myself and others. The question has always been -- whether or not -- Carter future will be on offense or defense. So I caught up with the four-star recruit, and shed some light on what he enjoys the most, and feels he's best at.
After racking up 468 yards from scrimmage on 33 carries, and multiple touches the past season on varsity. The four-star recruit who has offers from Ohio St, UM and Oregon just to name a few, had this to say about his recruitment.
"All my offers are at running back. And I feel, I can impact the game far greater with the ball in my hands.", said Carter.
Carter has secured the starting job at running back for Aquinas this upcoming season.
Miami Northwestern | RB | Jacquez Stuart | 5-9, 170
The transfer from North Miami High School -- is lighting fast, college ready, versatile and is someone you just place the ball in his hands. He's cat-quick and speedy ATHLETE -- who wasn't a stranger to the end zone. He scored touchdowns at four different positions the past season, tallying over 1,000 AP yards and 14 TD's.
Stuart sports a 3.4 unweighted GPA and passed his SAT test with a 1240 and holds multiple D1-FBS verbal offers. How fast is he? He sprinted a 10.65 in the 100m and contributed to Miami Northwestern Track and Field championship.
Stuart earned the fastest man at the Florida Fire 7v7 tryouts, which features the cream of the crop annually. Stuart stated he'll be used like Percy Harvin this season by the bulls. Stuart frame, speed and style resembles Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss.
Watch List Material:
Michael Hurt, University School
Daryn “Duke” Jones, Champagnat Catholic
Nigel White, St. Thomas Aquinas
Rayquan Berry, Miami Northwestern
Vincent Davis, Cardinal Gibbons
Lavelton Williams, Fort Lauderdale HS
