WATCH: Four-star RB, Alabama commit Justice Haynes records 96-yard kickoff return touchdown

Roswell (Ga.) Buford four-star running back Justice Haynes is one of the top running backs in the 2023 cycle. The 5-foot-11, 193 pound Alabama commit is ranked as the No. 44 overall prospect and No. 3 running back in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 2 player in Georgia.

In the fourth quarter of a matchup against Thompson, Haynes took a kickoff return 96 yards for a touchdown. The score extended Buford’s double-digit lead against Thompson, who includes fellow Alabama commit and five-star safety Tony Mitchell and Clemson commit and five-star defensive tackle Peter Woods on its roster.

Alabama blue-chip RB commit Justice Haynes takes the kick back for a TD to blow the game open https://t.co/6fVmw8uwjq pic.twitter.com/PaJ3xfAUL5

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) August 19, 2022

Earlier in the contest, Haynes started off fast, ripping off a huge run. He took off down the middle of the field, shed a tackle and raced up the left sideline before being brought down. He then added another touchdown later in the game.

Impressive TD run by Alabama RB commit Justice Haynes late in the game – makes defender miss in the backfield and runs through contact at the second level https://t.co/6fVmw8uwjq pic.twitter.com/n12TsBWUOl

— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) August 19, 2022

Haynes is the second running back committed to the Crimson Tide alongside Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh Senior four-star running back Richard Young. He is also Alabama’s fifth top-50 commitment this cycle.

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The four-star tailback had a strong performance at the UA Next Atlanta Camp earlier this year. “Justice Haynes was the top running back throughout drills and looked the part of a top 100 prospect and one of the better backs nationally in the 2023 cycle,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote. “The Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity product has a compact, rocked up build with a refined skill set. Haynes excelled in routes on air make a few impressive grabs after adjusting to poorly thrown passes. We always closely watch how top backs catch the ball in these camp settings and Haynes looked good in that regard. Similar to Downs, Haynes would be slotted higher in this order had we seen him go through 1-on-1’s.”

Haynes has an On3 NIL Valuation of $195K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Justice Haynes On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Justice Haynes:

“Well-rounded, highly productive running back with few holes in his game. Has a developed, muscled frame at around 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. One of the more productive rushers in the 2023 cycle. Rushed for 2,375 yards and 29 touchdowns at 8.8 yards per carry as a junior. Has amassed over 5,800 yards and 72 rushing touchdowns through the first three years of his high school career. Has a strong base. Runs with high-level contact balance, regularly running through arm tackles and bouncing off defenders at the second level.

“Shows good vision as a runner, making decisive reads and cuts at the line of scrimmage. Burst and top-end speed (electronically-timed 4.66 second 40-yard dash as a sophomore) are above average but not elite. Catches the ball well out of the backfield as a receiver. A rock solid running back prospect with a high floor. Has a NFL pedigree with his father playing in the league after a career as a running back at Georgia.”