Tour of Talent: South Florida's Top 10 Running Backs (Class of 2021)
By Jerry Williamson
South Florida is a location that consistently produces running backs at a collegiate and often professional level. A total of seven active NFL running backs hail from South Florida, and include top tier names such as Frank Gore, Dalvin Cook, Duke Johnson, Devonta Freeman, Matthew Dayes, Lamar Miller, and James White.
The class-of-2021 is locked and loaded. The country may know former Miami Central running back, who dashed over 50-yards untouched for a score that was televised on ESPN versus Bishop Gorman. Daniels recruiting resume is already better than most seniors. The talent pool runs long-and-deep. So deep that running backs such as Kelly Loiseau (North Miami), Rayshawn Williams (Sunset), and Keith Phillips (Miami Christian) are unfamiliar names even locally. That rushed for a minimum of five rushing touchdowns the past season on varsity.
Katravis Geter made headlines against St. Thomas Aquinas after scoring three touchdowns. Darius Chester runs with tremendous power and balance. He has the athletic and mental ability to separate himself from the group.
Thadd Franklin and Brashard Smith are your all-purpose running backs. They can run, catch, return or even throw it if asked. The running backs chosen was simple. Everything was measured on varsity success and strength of competition was factor as well. The list will change over the years or course. But, you know how the game goes. It's what have you done lately.
Rising Stars Top 10 List is in no particular order.
RB - Amari Daniels - Miami Jackson As he enters his sophomore campaign Daniels list of 5 verbal scholarships from UGA, UM, and Tennessee just to name a few. Daniels combined for 300 yards and 3 scores vs. IMG Academy, Bishop Gorman (NV.), And Chaminade-Madonna on 19 touches. Which averages 15 yards-per-carry. Daniels film displays excellent speed and vision. He makes up his mind quickly and is stronger than he looks.
RB - Darius Chester - Miami Carol City Chester runs like a 220-pound ball running back with breakaway speed. He delivered mutilple 30 plus yard touchdowns and ended the season with over 600 rushing yards and 8 scores. Two touchdowns were also called back.
RB - Katravis Geter - Miami Carol City Geter rushed for 10 touchdowns on the season which is remarkable. But, scoring 3 touchdowns on St. Thomas Aquinas turned heads. I believe he, Daniels, and Chester has that amazing blend across the board you look for in a running back.
RB - Thad Franklin - Chaminade-Madonna Franklin splitted touches at quarterback and running back for the Lions. He can run, throw, and catch on the offensive side of the ball. Franklin scored over 5 touchdowns and has the frame that passes the eye-ball test already.
RB - Brashard Smith - Miami Palmetto The Panthers' swiss-army-knife scored six touchdowns ranging from rushing, catching, and returning kicks. Smith holds offers from Boston College and USF. Smith top-end speed and change of direction, will more than likely place him as an athlete or all-purpose running back on recruiting boards.
RB - Kelly Loiseau - North Miami Despite missing there games this past season. Loiseau still accounted for 10 rushing touchdowns and over 600 yards from scrimmage. He's a powerful runner with good hands and solid speed.
RB - Keith Phillips - Miami Christian Phillips, who holds an early verbal scholarship from Syracuse, was responsible for over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 6 touchdowns. Phillips capped off his freshman campign with 129 carries for 1,094 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns and including 10 catches for 210 yards. Phillips is a well-rounded running back. He's a north-south running with good speed and incredible power.
RB - Rayshawn Williams - Miami Sunset The Knights' rising freshman gave the fans a glimpse of the future. Williams rushed for over 300 yards and scored 5 touchdowns on the ground. His most notable game took place vs. South Miami where he rushed for 156 yards and 1 touchdown just seven touches. Williams displays solid speed and great burst between the tackles.
RB - Delvonte Bouie - Coral Springs Bouie makes up for his small frame with an excellent burst and acceleration. His future appears as an ideal slot receiver. But, based off of film, he derseves and belongs on the list. I observed scores at running back and slot for 40 plus yard touchdowns.
RB - Keenan Toomer - Christopher Columbus Despite limited carries on varsity. Toomer still managed to score a touchdown and rush for over 100 yards on the season. He's more of an athlete to be honest. He can be one of the premier secondary prospects in South Florida all said and done.
RB - Yulkeith Brown - Miami Northwestern
Brown lacks extensive varsity film. However, he's premier athlete (RB/WR) that dominated junior varsity and 7v7 football this off-season for nightmare 15U squad. Brown is a familiar name I have covered since youth football, that has excelled in notable competition. Brown rounded off the list.
The best of the rest: Running back Kendall Wyratt of South Dade High School.
