Compiling the preseason all-L.A. City Section team for the eleventh consecutive year, there is some definite D1 talent, but what is noticeable right away in the lack of depth among returning running backs.
Now, some might emerge during the regular season, but I’ve been closely following L.A. City Section football for 25 years and there has never been less D1 talent at the position. Some of it has to do with changing demographics (go check out the all Inland Empire team if you don’t believe me), but it also has to do with teams passing the ball a lot more nowadays.
The running back has been de-emphasized as a “glamour” position in pro football and that has trickled down to California high school football as well.
Johnell Jackson from Narbonne might be the L.A. City’s leading rusher since he’ll carry more of the load now that Tony Gates has graduated. A couple of others to watch are South Gate’s Lavell Thompson, still only a junior, and Crenshaw’s Jacob Knight.
The Rams’ last D1 prospect at that position was Rolando Jeffery in 1993. As for Knight, he is the son of former Rap Mogul and Death Row Records founder Suge Knight. Knight played football at Lynwood, UNLV and had a cup of coffee in the NFL before making his name in the world of entertainment.
To check out the complete preseason all-L.A. City team, CLICK HERE (Gold Club Members).
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