People usually think about WRs and DBs in South Florida, but RB may be the best local position. Every year the region produces at least one back who makes an impact nationally and in the pros. Frank Gore, Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson, James White, Devonta Freeman, Dalvin Cook, Sony Michel, Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and the list goes on. This year is more of an average year sandwiched between the great classes of ’20 and ’22, but there are still multiple P5 prospects.
Thaddius Franklin, Chaminade (6’1, 225)- Naturally big, smooth back with historic production. Had a monster junior year with 2,282 yards and 28 TDs. Broke Travis Henry’s state record with 333 yards in the title game. Guard on the basketball team with coordination. Also played QB as a younger player. Always makes the first man miss. Bigger and less dynamic than Frank Gore, but a similar running style. High-level vision and decisiveness. No verified times to measure speed. Conservative projection is Mike James, but Franklin has star potential.
Brashard Smith, Palmetto (5’9, 180)- Kedarius Toney clone. Multi-purpose weapon who can be used in backfield, slot, jet sweeps and returns. Extremely quick. Excellent balance and will bounce off tackles. Hands catcher. Good route runner who separates easily. 13 TDs on 36 touches. UF commit.
Katravis Geter, Carol City (5’10, 194)- Strong, sturdy back with good balance. North-South runner who can break tackles and has some burst. Reminds of Tashard Choice, who is recruiting him for Georgia Tech. Finishes runs with physicality. Competent receiver in the 7on7 circuit. No outstanding traits but high floor. Projects as a solid P5 back.
Amari Daniels, Central (5’8, 194)- Youth superstar who peaked early but is still dangerous. Threat to take it the distance (70+ yard TD in the state title game). 11.02 100M and 22.7 200M as a freshman. Smallish frame. His progress as a receiver will determine his upside. Still more of a one-dimensional runner at this stage. Texas A&M is the leader.
Antonio Outler, Palm Beach Lakes (5’9, 190)- One of the best pure runners in Florida. 170 carries, 1,780 yards and 19 TDs as a junior. Classic RB profile who is built low to the ground and runs with tremendous balance, vision and footwork. Very little wasted movement. Not a burner but consistently houses long runs. Created headlines when he went missing late last season, but was found safe and is back participating in football activities. Rooting for him to succeed because he has a bright future.
Adrian Moncrieffe, Forest Hill (5’11, 180)- One of the more explosive sleepers in the state. Excellent athlete who is too fast for bad competition. Verified 4.55 speed and 4.21 shuttle. More of a skinny RB than a WR, lacks fluidity but is tough. Highest upside might be corner in the C.J. Henderson mold (see 5:00 of highlight). Nephew of Travis Rudolph. P5 talent who isn’t getting enough attention. Early offer from Kentucky.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9792622/5d7a6c7a478d550eb0931211
Miles Friday, Western (5’10, 175)- Georgia transplant with solid speed (4.60 laser as sophomore). Wiry frame that can add some weight. Good stop-start quickness and can make the initial defender miss. Not a powerful runner but will run inside. Early bloomer who committed to Tennessee and recently decommitted. 1,072 total yards and 7 TDs as a junior.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9692263/5ddb024a386e5d0dc08b7674
Max Balthazar, University (5’10, 180)- Lean, upright back who replaced Kenny McIntosh. Good feet between the tackles. OK speed, not a burner. Not a balanced tackle breaker. Similar player to Miles Friday. Experienced in passing game due to U-School’s pass-heavy offense. 495 yards and 6 TDs. Offers from Toledo, Utah State and Tulane.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11080803/5d7fba0119a5000a3cb07fe4
Roscoe Burton, Hallandale (5’8, 180)- Doral transfer with excellent short area quickness. Similar all-purpose role to Brashard Smith. High IQ with Ivy offers. May project as a slot receiver at next level. Maryland offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10197027/5de44cfc23528e0b701c466e
Donovan Jones, Champagnat (5’8, 165)- Loose and slippery runner with slot receiver size. Light, gliding running style. Has the balance to pull off plays like Mark Walton’s TD against FSU. Productive against weak competition (2,000 yards of total offense). First Team All-Dade as an athlete. Can gear up and change directions pretty effortlessly. Speed only average (11.46 PR). FAU offer.
Montahj Joseph, Atlantic (5’9, 175)- Hard-runner who makes up for average speed with toughness and effort. Will break tackles and drag defenders. Smooth athlete who played some QB and performed well as a receiver on the camp circuit. Buried LB/DE Isaiah Finnie in pass pro at the Rivals Camp. 740 yards and 7 TDs against quality competition. Offer from Southern Miss.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9579282/5ddc68e196812a0e8099c932
Darius Chester, Edison (5’8, 180)- Early bloomer who bounced around from Jackson to Carol City to Killian to Edison. Short and squatty with toughness. Finishes runs.
Thaddius Franklin, Chaminade (6’1, 225)- Naturally big, smooth back with historic production. Had a monster junior year with 2,282 yards and 28 TDs. Broke Travis Henry’s state record with 333 yards in the title game. Guard on the basketball team with coordination. Also played QB as a younger player. Always makes the first man miss. Bigger and less dynamic than Frank Gore, but a similar running style. High-level vision and decisiveness. No verified times to measure speed. Conservative projection is Mike James, but Franklin has star potential.
Brashard Smith, Palmetto (5’9, 180)- Kedarius Toney clone. Multi-purpose weapon who can be used in backfield, slot, jet sweeps and returns. Extremely quick. Excellent balance and will bounce off tackles. Hands catcher. Good route runner who separates easily. 13 TDs on 36 touches. UF commit.
Katravis Geter, Carol City (5’10, 194)- Strong, sturdy back with good balance. North-South runner who can break tackles and has some burst. Reminds of Tashard Choice, who is recruiting him for Georgia Tech. Finishes runs with physicality. Competent receiver in the 7on7 circuit. No outstanding traits but high floor. Projects as a solid P5 back.
Amari Daniels, Central (5’8, 194)- Youth superstar who peaked early but is still dangerous. Threat to take it the distance (70+ yard TD in the state title game). 11.02 100M and 22.7 200M as a freshman. Smallish frame. His progress as a receiver will determine his upside. Still more of a one-dimensional runner at this stage. Texas A&M is the leader.
Antonio Outler, Palm Beach Lakes (5’9, 190)- One of the best pure runners in Florida. 170 carries, 1,780 yards and 19 TDs as a junior. Classic RB profile who is built low to the ground and runs with tremendous balance, vision and footwork. Very little wasted movement. Not a burner but consistently houses long runs. Created headlines when he went missing late last season, but was found safe and is back participating in football activities. Rooting for him to succeed because he has a bright future.
Adrian Moncrieffe, Forest Hill (5’11, 180)- One of the more explosive sleepers in the state. Excellent athlete who is too fast for bad competition. Verified 4.55 speed and 4.21 shuttle. More of a skinny RB than a WR, lacks fluidity but is tough. Highest upside might be corner in the C.J. Henderson mold (see 5:00 of highlight). Nephew of Travis Rudolph. P5 talent who isn’t getting enough attention. Early offer from Kentucky.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9792622/5d7a6c7a478d550eb0931211
Miles Friday, Western (5’10, 175)- Georgia transplant with solid speed (4.60 laser as sophomore). Wiry frame that can add some weight. Good stop-start quickness and can make the initial defender miss. Not a powerful runner but will run inside. Early bloomer who committed to Tennessee and recently decommitted. 1,072 total yards and 7 TDs as a junior.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9692263/5ddb024a386e5d0dc08b7674
Max Balthazar, University (5’10, 180)- Lean, upright back who replaced Kenny McIntosh. Good feet between the tackles. OK speed, not a burner. Not a balanced tackle breaker. Similar player to Miles Friday. Experienced in passing game due to U-School’s pass-heavy offense. 495 yards and 6 TDs. Offers from Toledo, Utah State and Tulane.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11080803/5d7fba0119a5000a3cb07fe4
Roscoe Burton, Hallandale (5’8, 180)- Doral transfer with excellent short area quickness. Similar all-purpose role to Brashard Smith. High IQ with Ivy offers. May project as a slot receiver at next level. Maryland offer.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10197027/5de44cfc23528e0b701c466e
Donovan Jones, Champagnat (5’8, 165)- Loose and slippery runner with slot receiver size. Light, gliding running style. Has the balance to pull off plays like Mark Walton’s TD against FSU. Productive against weak competition (2,000 yards of total offense). First Team All-Dade as an athlete. Can gear up and change directions pretty effortlessly. Speed only average (11.46 PR). FAU offer.
Montahj Joseph, Atlantic (5’9, 175)- Hard-runner who makes up for average speed with toughness and effort. Will break tackles and drag defenders. Smooth athlete who played some QB and performed well as a receiver on the camp circuit. Buried LB/DE Isaiah Finnie in pass pro at the Rivals Camp. 740 yards and 7 TDs against quality competition. Offer from Southern Miss.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9579282/5ddc68e196812a0e8099c932
Darius Chester, Edison (5’8, 180)- Early bloomer who bounced around from Jackson to Carol City to Killian to Edison. Short and squatty with toughness. Finishes runs.
