Remember the Name: Meet the Running Back Who Outran Nick Chubb and Outscored Hershchel Walker

There wasn’t much Amaad Foston didn’t run past. Or run over. Or run through. Or run around. When you finish with back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons, you’re generally pretty unstoppable. He’s one of the best running backs in the state and probably the best player nobody talks about. 

Foston led the state in rushing last season, finishing with 2,772 yards and 46 touchdowns. This topped the 2,199 yards and 27 touchdowns he put up in his sophomore season by a landslide. While the Georgia High School Football Historians website doesn’t include GISA statistics, his rushing yards ranked ninth all time, 52 yards ahead of Nick Chubb’s best season. His 46 touchdowns were good for third all time, one better than the great Herschel Walker’s best season. 

“To be even put in the same sentence as guys like that is humbling,” Foston said. “I look up to those guys. I loved watching Nick Chubb on Sundays.” 

His coach, former Bulldog J.T. Wall, credits his work ethic for his ability to perform at a high level. 

“Amaad just works constantly,” Wall said. “It’s always the little things that make good players great. When he arrived as a freshman, he was our best pass blocker from day one, which is typically something that keeps freshmen running backs off the field. He excelled at it.” 

The three-star running back’s ability to continue to work out and add to his game has made him one of the most complete running back prospects in the state. Wall mentioned that he seemingly adds a piece to his game almost weekly. Even the people spectating notice the development over his high school career. Gil Pound, the John Milledge Academy beat writer for the Union-Recorder, has noticed the evolution. 

“When people ask about player ‘growth,’ they usually want to know how that individual has improved his game over the years,” Pound said. “The biggest growth that has taken place in Amaad is actually in his physical size. I’ll sometimes go months without seeing him during the offseason, but every time I do bump into him, I can tell he has gotten noticeably bigger and stronger. The skills and tools a running back needs have been there as long as I’ve watched him, though he has continued to focus on improving those as well.”

Pound also said that Foston reminds him of Frank Gore in his running style, but taller. It stands out on tape; he’s a physical runner that isn’t afraid to engage in contact, but is difficult to bring down because his balance and pad level is already at the college caliber. 

“GISA isn’t at the same level it was a decade ago, but top-tier talent is top-tier talent, no matter who he or she is playing,” Pound said. “Success is usually based on a combination of skill, the ability to work hard and learn quickly, all things Amaad has in surplus.”

GISA football often goes unnoticed by many high school football fans, but John Milledge Academy is generally always near the top. In the last four years, Wall has led the Trojans to the state championship game three times in the last four years, and in 2019 they won their second title in that span. 

The 2019 state championship game was a clash of titans. John Milledge was loaded with talent, while Valwood was going for their fourth state championship of the decade. Foston knew it was a chance for himself, and the team, to do something special. 

“I knew that coach was going to feed me the ball that night, and I knew I needed to do something special to win the game,” Foston said. “Every time I touched that ball, I wanted to make something happen. I wanted to get that state championship for the team.” 

Foston certainly saved his best of an incredibly successful season for last. He was given the ball 42 times in the state championship game and ran rampant on the Valiants as the Trojans left nothing to chance, winning 62-19. Foston’s statistics that night: 423 yards and eight touchdowns. That was the eighth highest yard total ever in high school football history, and his eight touchdowns was tied for second most all time in one game – in the championship nonetheless. 

Wall knew the moment was special when they scored their first touchdown to get the game going. 

“It was a special moment for our kids, but to hear about the records, it was great because Amaad isn’t really a numbers guy,” Wall said. “He sat out our last regular season game of the season because we didn’t want to risk injury. And if he cared about the numbers, he would’ve been upset about it. To get a kid who’s a great player, a 4.0 student this past year, and a great teammate, he’s a coach’s dream.” 

It’s much more than the game of football for Foston. He’s a student with a 3.8 GPA in high school and committed to the University of Virginia to play college football. Along with being the reigning ACC Coastal champions, Virginia typically has some of the highest graduation rates in the country and was founded by President Thomas Jefferson. Getting an offer from such a prestigious institution was all Foston needed to make his decision. 

“It’s such a great university that made me feel right at home when I was there,” Foston said. “The campus, environment, and meeting and talking with Coach Mendenhall and his staff made all the difference in the decision. It’s great to feel welcomed at such a great university.”

If Foston continues progressing at the same pace his senior season, he would break the single season rushing yard and touchdown records in the state. It would also give him the most yards and touchdowns in the history of the state of Georgia.

“I guess that’s the goal now,” Foston said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to have fun my senior season, get ready for college, and help John Milledge Academy go back-to-back.”

To reach that goal, Foston needs to finish the season with 3,173 yards and 59 touchdowns. It’s a daunting task, but he’s proven time and time again that not many things in his path stop Amaad Foston. 

Written by: Kyle Grondin