By Platform National Scout: Marc Henry @Marchen44
The 2023 season is here and tonight one of the biggest matchups in the State of Texas features two of the best running backs in the country in Class of 2024 in Taylor Tatum of Longview and Bryan Jackson of McKinney High School. In 2022, both rushers lead their teams to deep playoff runs in the Texas State playoffs and each player is back ready to rumble through defenses. We will spotlight this matchup between two running backs who are difference makers with the football in their hands.
Taylor Tatum| 5’10 205 lbs| | Longview High School | Class of 2024 | Committed to Oklahoma
Tatum is battle tested, having been a starter in the Longview Lobo backfield since his freshman season, so playing on the big stage is nothing new to him and you best believe that he is looking forward to the challenge of opening up on the road against McKinney. Tatum is a powerful runner with elite speed, having clocked a 21.70 in the 200M dash for the Lobo Track Team this past season. Tatum shows incredible patience in the hole, using superb vision to set up his blocks and when he sees daylight, he can explode for six points from any down and distance on the field. Tatum rushed for 1,891 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2022 and was selected the District 7-5 DI MVP. Tatum has the skill set to line at receiver or catch the football out of the backfield and be a lethal weapon. Taylor was also selected First Team All-State in 5A after his stellar season in 2022. The Oklahoma Sooner commit, has all the traits that elite next level back possess and he is focused on leading the Lobos rushing attack into the Lion’s Den versus McKinney.
Bryan Jackson | 6’0 240 lbs. | McKinney High School | Class of 2024 | Committed to the University of Southern California
Jackson has been the workhorse in the McKinney Lions backfield for the last two seasons, he also saw action in the McKinney offense as a freshman and Bryan has elevated his game each season heading into his senior campaign, developing a reputation as one the premier rushers in the State of Texas. Bryan has nifty feet, he has the ability to get small in the hole but run with devastating power, he runs with superb leverage and he won’t be brought down with simple arm tackles. Jackson is weapon in the passing game and is featured heavily in the Lion’s screen game, showing off soft, sure hands and when he gets in the open field, Bryan has the speed combined with the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Jackson has a stout, compact build, tailor made to carry the load of the Lions running game and he set the tone his junior year, slashing defenses for 1,605 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, while averaging over 6 yards per carry. Jackson takes pride in punishing defenses and you can look for Bryan to be full steam ahead heading into the Lions opening game matchup with Longview.
Follow The Platform on Twitter, @THEPLATFORMDR, for updates of the McKinney vs Longview game, as Scout Marc Henry will be roaming the sidelines, #ExposeTheUnExposed
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