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Ranking Central Florida's top 10 high-school running backs | Video
Boone's A.J. Turman, who has offers from FSU and UCF, tops the Sentinel's list of Central Florida's top running backs
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...lorida-running-backs-20120802,0,2831555.story
From bruisers to speedsters, the area's top running backs can rip off highlight-reel runs in a variety of ways. The Sentinel Varsity staff's rankings are based on past production and projections for this season, and not on recruiters' evaluations.
1. A.J. Turman, Boone, Sr.
Turman has a chance to become the fourth runner in area history to reach 5,000 yards in the large classification. A starter since midway through his freshman season, the powerful back rushed for 1,324 yards last season and has 3,586 for his career. "I've been coaching for 37 years, 23 at Boone, and he's a no-miss kind of kid," coach Phil Ziglar said.
2. Stafon McCray, Kissimmee Osceola, Sr.
McCray has bulked up to 204 pounds and will be the focal point of the Kowboys' offense. He racked up 1,450 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, but he will be behind a new offensive line. "He's not just a bruiser or a quick guy,'' coach Doug Nichols said. "He's got both, and that's what sets him apart.''
3. John Armstrong, Olympia, Sr.
One of the area's most versatile offensive players, Armstrong led the Titans in rushing and recieving last season with 1,754 yards and 18 touchdowns from scrimmage. "If you get him into space, he's going to score,'' coach Bob Head said. "His football speed is better than [former Boone wide receiver Marvin] Bracy and [Jones wide receiver Levonte] Whitfield.''
4. JoJo Kemp, DeLand, Sr.
The chiseled two-way standout rushed for more than 100 yards in eight games. He finished with 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns while moonlighting on defense as a linebacker. Largely considered a between-the-tackles runner, the USF commit has breakaway speed.
5. Jacques Patrick, Timber Creek, Soph.
The East River transfer burst on the scene last season by rushing for 1,162 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. His stock has skyrocketed in the offseason, with Alabama and LSU among schools that have offered scholarships. "Miami watched two plays on film and said they were going to offer him," Wolves coach Jim Buckridge said. "It's kind of crazy.''
6. John Altman, Edgewater, Sr.
Altman excelled down the stretch last season, rushing for 691 yards and six touchdowns in the Eagles' last six games. He averaged nearly 7 yards per carry in those games and is equally adept running inside and on the perimeter. Altman also projects to see time in the secondary.
7. Trevaughn Rodriguez, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Jr.
A physical, shifty back who runs through contact, Rodriguez collected 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns during a breakout sophomore season. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee in the spring but will be healthy when practice begins Aug. 6. "He's got great vision and balance, and he's good out of the backfield catching the ball," coach Marc Beach said.
8. Marcus Dixon, South Daytona Warner Chr., Sr.
After flirting with transferring to Daytona Beach Mainland in the offseason, Dixon (5-9, 190) will finish his career with the Eagles. Dixon led the area with 38 touchdowns last year and has 78 in his career. He performed well against big schools, gaining 108 yards against Class 8A Jacksonville Sandalwood and 60 yards in the first quarter against Cocoa before the game was halted and later canceled because of poor weather.
9. Eric Harrell, Dr. Phillips, Sr.
While quarterback Nick Patti stole the headlines for DP's offense last season, Harrell quietly became one of the area's most prolific backs. He gained 1,135 yards and scored 14 touchdowns and he routinely made defenders miss in the open field. Harrell has the ability to score from anywhere.
10. Ray Lewis III, Lake Mary Prep, Sr.
The two-way small-school standout led all area rushers last season with 2,321 yards while scoring 28 touchdowns. Lewis, the son of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, committed to Miami as a defensive back and recorded 93 tackles last year.
aulyon@tribune.com
Boone's A.J. Turman, who has offers from FSU and UCF, tops the Sentinel's list of Central Florida's top running backs
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...lorida-running-backs-20120802,0,2831555.story
From bruisers to speedsters, the area's top running backs can rip off highlight-reel runs in a variety of ways. The Sentinel Varsity staff's rankings are based on past production and projections for this season, and not on recruiters' evaluations.
1. A.J. Turman, Boone, Sr.
Turman has a chance to become the fourth runner in area history to reach 5,000 yards in the large classification. A starter since midway through his freshman season, the powerful back rushed for 1,324 yards last season and has 3,586 for his career. "I've been coaching for 37 years, 23 at Boone, and he's a no-miss kind of kid," coach Phil Ziglar said.
2. Stafon McCray, Kissimmee Osceola, Sr.
McCray has bulked up to 204 pounds and will be the focal point of the Kowboys' offense. He racked up 1,450 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, but he will be behind a new offensive line. "He's not just a bruiser or a quick guy,'' coach Doug Nichols said. "He's got both, and that's what sets him apart.''
3. John Armstrong, Olympia, Sr.
One of the area's most versatile offensive players, Armstrong led the Titans in rushing and recieving last season with 1,754 yards and 18 touchdowns from scrimmage. "If you get him into space, he's going to score,'' coach Bob Head said. "His football speed is better than [former Boone wide receiver Marvin] Bracy and [Jones wide receiver Levonte] Whitfield.''
4. JoJo Kemp, DeLand, Sr.
The chiseled two-way standout rushed for more than 100 yards in eight games. He finished with 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns while moonlighting on defense as a linebacker. Largely considered a between-the-tackles runner, the USF commit has breakaway speed.
5. Jacques Patrick, Timber Creek, Soph.
The East River transfer burst on the scene last season by rushing for 1,162 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman. His stock has skyrocketed in the offseason, with Alabama and LSU among schools that have offered scholarships. "Miami watched two plays on film and said they were going to offer him," Wolves coach Jim Buckridge said. "It's kind of crazy.''
6. John Altman, Edgewater, Sr.
Altman excelled down the stretch last season, rushing for 691 yards and six touchdowns in the Eagles' last six games. He averaged nearly 7 yards per carry in those games and is equally adept running inside and on the perimeter. Altman also projects to see time in the secondary.
7. Trevaughn Rodriguez, Daytona Beach Seabreeze, Jr.
A physical, shifty back who runs through contact, Rodriguez collected 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns during a breakout sophomore season. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee in the spring but will be healthy when practice begins Aug. 6. "He's got great vision and balance, and he's good out of the backfield catching the ball," coach Marc Beach said.
8. Marcus Dixon, South Daytona Warner Chr., Sr.
After flirting with transferring to Daytona Beach Mainland in the offseason, Dixon (5-9, 190) will finish his career with the Eagles. Dixon led the area with 38 touchdowns last year and has 78 in his career. He performed well against big schools, gaining 108 yards against Class 8A Jacksonville Sandalwood and 60 yards in the first quarter against Cocoa before the game was halted and later canceled because of poor weather.
9. Eric Harrell, Dr. Phillips, Sr.
While quarterback Nick Patti stole the headlines for DP's offense last season, Harrell quietly became one of the area's most prolific backs. He gained 1,135 yards and scored 14 touchdowns and he routinely made defenders miss in the open field. Harrell has the ability to score from anywhere.
10. Ray Lewis III, Lake Mary Prep, Sr.
The two-way small-school standout led all area rushers last season with 2,321 yards while scoring 28 touchdowns. Lewis, the son of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, committed to Miami as a defensive back and recorded 93 tackles last year.
aulyon@tribune.com
