Two four-star Georgia seniors head up the 2025 list of top running backs in the Peach State.
Colquitt County (Norman Park) Packers' star Jae Lamar is ranked No. 11 nationally in 247sports.com just one spot ahead of Central (Carrollton) Lions' rusher Jonaz Walton. The Georgia high school football season kicks off a week from today on Thursday, August 14.
Lamar was one of the main cogs on offense for the Packers during their 8-4 run to the GHSA Class 6A playoffs last season. He toted the ball 112 times as a junior, accumulating 884 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Packers lost to the Collins Hill (Suwanee) Eagles, 28-14, in the second round of the postseason, but Lamar did enough to earn a slew of scholarship offers with at least 31 FBS schools on the list. That included the home-state Georgia Bulldogs, and on June 25, he gave his commitment to play for Kirby Smart's squad in 2026.
Walton, meanwhile, was chewing up ground for the Central (Carrollton) Lions to the tune of 1,387 yards on 188 carries. He scored 14 touchdowns while also proving a reliable threat as a receiver out of the backfield with 39 catches for 646 yards and another four scores. His team also lost in the second round of the GHSA playoffs as a member of Class 4A. Walton committed to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish back on May 14.
A rising junior might be Georgia's most exciting prospect overall
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines' campus is located west of Athens, just a little more than 20 minutes from the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium. Not surprisingly, the Bulldogs have their eyes on the Wolverines' junior running back Jerry "Andrew" Beard, who rushed for 1,937 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Calling Beard just a great running back is almost an insult. He's also a phenomenal receiver, catching 32 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in his spare time, while also returning punts for another 329 yards. For good measure, he even chipped in with 95 kick return yards. He's possibly the best all-purpose back in Georgia, and the hometown Bulldogs have taken notice along with a number of other SEC and Power Four programs. He remains uncommitted for now.
Fairburn duo packs a powerful 1-2 punch for Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes seniors Carsyn Baker and Qwantavius Wiggins occupy what might be the deepest backfield in the Peach State.
Baker led the way with 1,282 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 8.8 yards per carry a year ago. Wiggins added 985 yards with 12 touchdowns of his own, while slightly edging out Baker's average at 9.0 yards per pop. It was enough to power Langston Hughes all the way to the GHSA Class 5A state championship game a year ago, where the Panthers lost to undefeated division kingpin Milton, 56-35. With both players back for a final run, the Panthers should be in contention for a state title again this fall.
The Ola (McDonough) Mustangs had a terrific tandem of their own a year ago with two sophomores plowing up fields in and around the Greater Atlanta area in 2024. Caden Waye rolled up 1,194 yards and 16 touchdowns, and backfield mate Nigel Newkirk added 690 and eight scores. Newkirk, however, has transferred to Gainesville for the upcoming season where he'll play for the Red Elephants.
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Sedric Addison, Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) Lions – Sr.
(Ht) 6-0 (Wt) 198, Boston College Eagles
Peachtree Ridge had a crowded backfield a year ago with a trio of juniors splitting carries. Bryce Green led the way with 85 carries for 547 yards, and quarterback Darnell Kelly syphoned off 70 carries of his own for 463 yards. That left Addison to pick up the remaining scraps – 65 of them for 475 yards and seven touchdowns.
His 7.3 yards per carry average led the team, however, and with Kelly transferring back to Langston Hughes, he should get more opportunities this fall. He's done enough already to earn a scholarship offer to Boston College, committing to the Eagles on June 9.
Carsyn Baker, Langston Hughes (Fairburn) Panthers – Sr.
(Ht) 6-0.5 (Wt) 195, Florida Gators
As noted above, Baker is one half of Langston Hughes' dynamite duo, and he's currently the No. 17 running back prospect in 247sports.com's Class of 2026. He committed to the Florida Gators on June 13.
Breaking: Four-star RB Carsyn Baker commits to Florida 🐊
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) June 14, 2025
The Gators are heating up on the trail in a BIG way: https://t.co/AHna3oMpn5 pic.twitter.com/K1prtH8AHD
Jerry Beard, Prince Avenue Christian (Athens) Wolverines – Jr.
(Ht) 5-9 (Wt) 180, Uncommitted
Beard is the Athens-area prospect being pursued by the Georgia Bulldogs, but he hasn't laid any cards on the table, yet. His all-purpose efforts led the Wolverines to a 10-4 season which ended in a 56-28 loss to the Hebron Christian (Dacula) Lions in the GHSA Private School championship game.
Jayreon Campbell, McEachern (Powder Springs) Indians – Sr.
(Ht) 5-10 (Wt) 190, Indiana Hoosiers
Campbell piled up 930 yards with 18 touchdowns on the ground a year ago, leading McEachern to the GHSA Class 6A playoffs. The Indiana Hoosiers' commit and his Indian teammates lost there in a 30-29 heartbreaker to the Newton (Covington) Rams.
Lavonte Cole, Thomasville Bulldogs – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 190, South Alabama Jaguars
Cole plans to sign with the South Alabama Jaguars after rushing for 559 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in a secondary role to senior Ant Anderson a year ago. With Anderson moving on, Cole should get the chance to shine in 2025 after a season in which his Bulldogs finished 10-3, losing to the Dublin Fighting Irish in the GHSA Class A Division I playoffs.
1000%🔒 THANK GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!! 🙏 @Fobulous34 @SouthAlabamaFB @CoachApplewhite @TvilleDogsFB @RecruitGeorgia @Rivals @247Sports @thsbulldogsath @amburkett64 @JeremyO_Johnson @ChadSimmons_ @RhodneyDonalds1 pic.twitter.com/LtOzKVbBPW
— Lavonte Cole (@hbvvonte) June 16, 2025
Kentavius DeBruce, Coffee (Douglas) Trojans – Sr.
(Ht) 5-9 (Wt) 160, Uncommitted
DeBruce helped lead Coffee on a deep run through the GHSA Class 5A playoffs before falling to eventual state runner-up Langston Hughes. His 731 yards and four touchdowns with a 6.2 yards per carry clip were impressive, considering the Trojans fed the ball to prolific senior Tyrese Woodgett 316 times for 2,340 yards and 27 touchdowns.
That total included Woodgett's record-setting performance in the GHSA Class 5A quarterfinals against the Sequoyah (Canton) Chiefs when he broke the Georgia single-game rushing record with 605 yards on 19 carries, including seven touchdowns on a whopping 31.8 yards per carry. Woodgett signed with Georgia Military College in February, and DeBruce's totals could go through the roof this fall as the feature back.
Kimauri Farmer, Carrollton Trojans – Sr.
(Ht) 5-8.5 (Wt) 175, Liberty Flames
Farmer rolled up 1,376 yards on 20 touchdowns last season, and he also proved to be an effective receiver with 38 catches for 401 yards and four scores. He helped lead Carrollton to the GHSA Class 6A championship where the Trojans lost, 38-24, to the Grayson (Loganville) Rams.
Quinterrius “Moonie” Gipson, Kell (Marietta) Longhorns – Jr.
(Ht) 5-8 (Wt) 205, Uncommitted
Gipson was the force behind Kell's offense last fall, piling up 1,903 yards rushing with 25 touchdowns. The junior also caught 16 passes for 222 yards, scoring four more times while leading the Longhorns to the second round of Georgia's Class 4A playoffs. Kell was upended there in a 42-35 shootout with the Creekside (Fairburn) Seminoles.
CJ Givers, Fellowship Christian School (Roswell) Paladins – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 195, Duke Blue Devils
Givers committed to Duke on June 17, following a junior season in which he ran for 1,403 yards and 21 touchdowns. It was good enough to get Fellowship Christian to the third round of the GHSA Private School playoffs where the ride ended in a 24-17 loss to the eventual state champions from Hebron Christian.
Jae Lamar, Colquitt County (Norman Park) Packers – Sr.
(Ht) 6-0 (Wt) 205, Georgia Bulldogs
Lamar, who was featured above, is one of the prize pieces of the Georgia Bulldogs' Class of 2026.
BREAKING: Four-Star RB Jae Lamar has Committed to Georgia, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 25, 2025
The 6’0 205 RB from Moultrie, GA chose the Bulldogs over Miami, Clemson, FSU, & Auburn
“I’m at home baby, let’s work! Go Dawgs 🐶"https://t.co/B9OtavCdTG pic.twitter.com/6CMXGP0s9D
Amari Latimer, Sandy Creek (Tyrone) Patriots – Sr.
(Ht) 6-0 (Wt) 215, Wisconsin Badgers
Sandy Creek's Latimer ran for 1,113 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, but he also showed good hands out of the backfield with 27 catches for 363 yards and four scores. The Wisconsin commit led his Patriots to the second round of the GHSA's Class 3A bracket where they lost, 38-22, to the LaGrange Grangers.
Christian Lawrence, Thomas County Central (Thomasville) Yellow Jackets – Sr.
(Ht) 5-9 (Wt) 185, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Lawrence showed explosive abilities last year, rushing for 1,315 yards on just 157 carries – a healthy 8.4 yards per carry average. He added 16 touchdowns, and also displayed versatility out of the backfield with 21 catches for 311 yards and three more trips to the end zone. He led his Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets to an 11-2 finish, falling to Langston Hughes, 28-12, in the GHSA Class 5A playoffs.
Zamarcus Lindley, Douglas County (Douglasville) Tigers – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 200, Uncommitted
The Douglas County Tigers put up a fight against the eventual state champion Grayson Rams in the GHSA Class 6A semifinals a year ago, losing by just a touchdown (35-28) in the end. The senior Lindley could have the Tigers back in the running again after posting 1,224 yards (7.4 yard avg.) and 14 touchdowns in 2024.
His highlight reel below shows a back with great balance and the ability to stop on a dime and change direction. He just might be the hardest back in Georgia to tackle.
Dylan McCoy, Buford (GA) Wolves – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11.5 (Wt) 185, NC State Wolfpack
McCoy only ran for 428 yards last fall as the third option in Buford's deep backfield. The Wolves finished 12-2, losing to state runner-up Carrollton, 30-17, in the GHSA Class 6A semifinals, but this time around, McCoy should be one of the feature backs. He's already committed to NC State.
Nigel Newkirk, Gainesville Red Elephants – Jr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 200, Uncommitted
Newkirk, featured above, was the No. 2 back for Ola last fall, but he transferred to Gainesville in the offseason where he should be the primary option for the Red Elephants.
Will Rajecki, Sequoyah (Canton) Chiefs – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 195, Uncommitted
Rajecki is coming off a junior season in which he showcased his versatility as an all-purpose back. He ran 1,541 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 578 yards receiving on 38 catches with five more tallies. He was on the field for Sequoyah's 72-48 third-round playoff loss to Coffee, running for 78 yards on 20 carries while watching Woodgett set that new Georgia single-game rushing record.
Xavier Rucker, Allatoona (Acworth) Buccaneers – Sr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 195, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Rucker is a future Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, but he's got one more opportunity to help the Allatoona Buccaneers find gold on the field after a disappointing 4-6 season in 2024. The senior did his part, running for 1,135 yards and 11 touchdowns while chipping in 17 receptions for 281 yards and two scores. The Bucs will likely need even more from their star in 2025.
Kelston Tarver, Carver (Columbus) Tigers – Sr.
(Ht) 5-9 (Wt) 180, Uncommitted
Tarver is one of the biggest stars for Carver after helping lead the Tigers to the GHSA Class 2A state championship, culminating in a 52-14 rout over the Burke County (Waynesboro) Bears.
Brayden Tyson, Brookwood (Snellville) Broncos – Jr.
(Ht) 6-0 (Wt) 235, Uncommitted
Tyson was nearly unstoppable a year ago, rushing for 2,123 yards (10.2 yard avg.) and 26 touchdowns for Brookwood. He also caught 20 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to keep his team in the postseason party for long. The Broncos lost in a 24-10 upset to West Forsyth in the opening round of the GHSA Class 6A playoffs.
Jonaz Walton, Central (Carollton) Lions – Sr.
(Ht) 5-9.5 (Wt) 205, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Walton, who was featured above, will look to take his Central Lions on a deeper run in the GHSA Class 4A playoffs after committing to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this spring.
Home forever ☘️ https://t.co/A3CrQ2HJfs
— Jonaz Walton (@JonazWalton) May 14, 2025
Caden Waye, Ola (McDonough) Mustangs – Jr.
(Ht) 5-11 (Wt) 185, Uncommitted
Waye split carries last fall with Newkirk, who has since transferred to Gainesville. That could mean bigger numbers for Waye in 2025.
Qwantavius Wiggins, Langston Hughes (Fairburn) Panthers – Sr.
(Ht) 5-10 (Wt) 185, FIU Panthers
Wiggins is one half of the Langston Hughes duo featured above, and he should be a reliable second option for the Panthers again as they look to make another deep playoff run.
Head-to-head duels add spice to Georgia's 2025 schedule
There are a number of opportunities this fall to catch some of the Peach State's top running backs going head-to-head starting on August 29 when Kell pays a visit to Sequoyah.
August 29: Kell (Quinterrius "Moonie" Gipson) at Seqouyah (Will Rajecki)
September 5: Douglas County (Zamarcus Lindley) at Langston Hughes (Carsyn Baker and Qwantavius Wiggins)
September 5: Thomasville (Lavonte Cole) at Thomas County Central (Christian Lawrence)
September 12: Carrollton (Kimauri Farmer) at Gainesville (Nigel Newkirk)
September 12: Douglas County (Lindley) at Buford (Dylan McCoy)
October 17: Peachtree Ridge (Sedric Addison) at Brookwood (Brayden Tyson)
October 31: Thomas County Central (Lawrence) at Coffee (Kentavius DeBruce)
October 31: Douglas County (Lindley) at Carrollton (Farmer)