Breakout RB Prospect Jahmyr Gibbs Named an SI All-American
Jahmyr Gibbs’s recruiting profile exploded with one of the most prolific rushing seasons in Georgia prep history.
The 5-foot-11 all-purpose back wasn’t on the national radar before rushing for an eye-popping 2,554 yards – the 15-highest total in the state’s illustrious history -- and 40 touchdowns during his senior season. Numbers that earned the Dalton, Ga., tailback SI All-American honors … and had numerous major programs suddenly heavily vying for his services.
Gibbs, a consensus four-star prospect, committed to Georgia Tech last May and currently is the highest-ranked recruit in the Yellow Jackets’ class. However, he is not expected to sign during the early period. In fact, Gibbs still has official visits to Florida and Ohio State, in addition to one at Tech, in January. He reportedly visited Alabama this past weekend.
Gibbs was named the Georgia 6-AAAAAA Offensive Player of the Year, finishing his career with 196 yards in a playoff loss to No. 1-ranked Dacula. If Tech head coach Geoff Collins can hold on to Gibbs, it would be a tremendous boost for a program in need of a boost.
Why Gibbs is an All-American:
Gibbs’ senior season proved why he may be the most complete running back prospect in the class of 2020. The Peach State native registered more than 2,500 yards and scored 40 rushing touchdowns in 2019 with all 11 sets of eyes on him before every snap. He runs with great balance and has as good a burst as any back across the board, but what separates him from the pack is his ability to make defenders miss.
The speed is there, the power is there and the vision is certainly there as he sets up blockers in front of him, but the wiggle is simply special. In a phone booth or in space, defenders are all but futile against Gibbs one-on-one, with polished moves fueled by quickness, instincts and polish. He can set up a defender like a great wide receiver coming off of the line, a lethal point guard with a crossover move that creates space and an imbalance few skill players can match.
Georgia Tech got Gibbs on the commitment list back in May but a who’s who list of national powers have worked on changing his mind this fall and it doesn’t take long to see why.
2019 SI All-American Offensive Team:
QB Bryce Young, Alabama (Why Young? Highlights)
RB Demarckus Bowman, Clemson (Why Bowman? Highlights)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech (Why Gibbs? Highlights)
WR Julian Fleming, Ohio State (Why Fleming? Highlights)
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State (Why Smith-Njigba? Highlights)
WR Malachi Wideman, FSU (Why Wideman? Highlights)
TE Arik Gilbert, LSU (Why Gilbert? Highlights)
OL Paris Johnson, Ohio State (Why Johnson? Highlights)
OL Tate Ratledge, UGA (Why Ratledge? Highlights)
OL Javion Cohen, Alabama (Why Cohen? Highlights)
OL Issiah Walker, Florida (Why Walker? Highlights)
OL Nate Anderson, Oklahoma (Why Anderson? Highlights)
ATH Kristian Story, Alabama (Why Story? Highlights)
2019 SI All-American Defensive Team:
DL Demonte Capehart, Clemson (Why Capehart? Highlights)
DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson (Why Bresee? Highlights)
DL Gervon Dexter, Florida (Why Dexter? Highlights)
DL Jordan Burch, Uncommitted (Why Burch? Highlights)
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (Why Simpson? Highlights)
LB Justin Flowe, Uncommitted (Why Flowe? Highlights)
LB Demouy Kennedy, Alabama (Why Kennedy? Highlights)
DB Elias Ricks, LSU (Why Ricks? Highlights)
DB Kelee Ringo, Uncommitted (Why Ringo? Highlights)
DB Clark Phillips, Ohio State (Why Phillips? Highlights)
DB Enzo Jennings, Penn State (Why Jennings? Highlights)
ATH Avantae Williams, Uncommitted (Why Williams? Highlights)