Here are some of the top rushing leaders in the GHSA through Week 2 with their Hudl film included, if possible.
Emadd Howard – Walnut Grove, SR
Howard has been a dominant force on the ground, rushing for 471 yards over two games, with an impressive average of 235.5 yards per game. He carries the ball efficiently, averaging 9.81 yards per carry on 48 attempts. Howard has scored 8 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to find the end zone consistently, with his longest run being 61 yards. Howard’s north-south run style is propelling Walnut Grove off to a 2-0 start, including a routing of their rival Loganville.
Jitt Carr – Monroe Area, JR
Carr has displayed remarkable versatility, rushing for 449 yards and averaging 224.5 yards per game. His explosiveness is evident in his 10.95 yards per carry on 41 attempts. Carr has scored 4 touchdowns, with his longest run being 79 yards, which was named the top play for Week 1 in the state of Georgia. Carr is elusive as can be, hopping out of tacklers and shooting up field.
Brayden Tyson – Brookwood, SOPH
Tyson has been a reliable workhorse, accumulating 445 rushing yards, and averaging 222.5 yards per game. He averages 9.47 yards per carry on 47 attempts, showcasing his consistency. Tyson has found the end zone 6 times, with a long run of 68 yards, making him a key offensive weapon for Brookwood. Tyson is build like a brick house, and has a similar game to Cody Brown out of Parkview, an All-State back from the class of ’21.
Mark Howard – Woodland-Stockbridge, SR
Howard has been a steady contributor, rushing for 423 yards over two games, averaging 211.5 yards per game. He carries the ball at 8.81 yards per carry on 48 attempts, indicating his ability to gain significant yardage each time he touches the ball. Howard has scored 5 touchdowns, with his longest run being 57 yards. Howard has been a revelation in the early season, his ability to elude tacklers and fight for extra yardage at the 2nd level gives defenses trouble.
Reante Byrd – Hephzibah, SOPH
Byrd has shown his toughness and resilience, rushing for 376 yards and averaging 188.0 yards per game. He has carried the ball 41 times, averaging 9.17 yards per carry. Byrd has scored 3 touchdowns, with his longest run being 90 yards, which highlights his ability to break free for long gains. Byrd picks up where Telly Johnson left off, who is now at NIU. Although Byrd doesn’t run exactly like Johnson, but his ability to break off long runs appears to be recreated in the early season. Byrd looks promising for a sophomore.
Nigel Newkirk – Ola, SOPH
Newkirk has been a consistent performer, rushing for 365 yards with an average of 182.5 yards per game. He averages 7.94 yards per carry on 46 attempts. Newkirk has scored 4 touchdowns but has also fumbled once, with his longest run being 80 yards. His ability to break long runs makes him a valuable asset to his team. The explosive sophomore has a chance to be an all-time great at Ola, ranking with names like Christian Rodiguez, who now plays on the Washington Commanders.
Daniel Smith – Mill Creek, SR
Smith has been a solid contributor, rushing for 363 yards, and averaging 181.5 yards per game. He has carried the ball 41 times, averaging 8.85 yards per carry. Smith has scored 3 touchdowns, showing his consistency in finding the end zone. Earlier this year we highlighted Smith, indicating in his profile that his run style would be well-suited to Mill Creek’s playstyle. The fit has been seamless, and Smith will be among Gwinnett County’s top running backs.
Zo Smalls – Savannah Christian, SR
Smalls has been a workhorse for his team, rushing for 353 yards with an average of 176.5 yards per game. He has carried the ball 54 times, averaging 6.54 yards per carry. Smalls has scored 5 touchdowns, with his longest run being 37 yards. The Charleston Southern commit looks more explosive than ever, getting downhill and showing another gear with his running. Smalls looks like a senior ready to make a statement this fall and a 2000-yard season could be eclipsed.
