Top-300 RB Justin Baker Includes Tennessee In Top Schools

2025 three-star running back Justin Baker narrowed his recruitment to six schools earlier this week, and the Tennessee Volunteers are firmly in this one.

2025 three-star running back Justin Baker (Buford, Ga.) plays his high school football for the Buford Wolves, one of the nation's premier programs. The rising junior stands 5-10 and 195 pounds, earning 20 offers after a productive two seasons at Buford. But on July 4, he trimmed that list down to six. He included Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Michigan, and NC State. Multiple SEC schools that gave him an offer did not make the cut: Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, and Florida. His most recent visit was a trip to Knoxville on June 19.

Baker plays at Buford alongside several other high-major talents. He did have to compete for carries with a top-50 Alabama 2023 signee Justice Haynes, but he made the most of his opportunities as a sophomore. In 12 games, he logged 371 yards on 62 carries, good for six yards per carry. He found paydirt three times, too. Baker did not see many touches in the passing game, but with Haynes gone, that could change in his upperclassmen season, and his carries are bound to increase going forward. 

2025 RB Justin Baker on an unofficial visit to South Carolina on April 3

Scouting Evaluation

In his sophomore season, what pops out the most is the difficulty that defenders have in bringing Baker down, even when they get their hands on him. He keeps his legs churning and continues down the field. He is an aggressive runner who accelerates quickly once he gets the ball and does not waste any time or movement getting north and south. It will be very interesting to see his production this coming season and how his recruitment progresses.

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