They are the playmakers for football teams.

They are the running backs and wide receivers, the players you want to have the ball so they can use their athleticism to get big gains and find the end zone.

As the first day of official practice on July 29 draws near, here’s a look at 17 skill positions players to watch out for this season:

Anthony Anderson, Swansboro: The junior running back looks to play a bigger role after he rushed for 301 yards and three touchdowns on 94 carries and had 11 catches for 111 yards for the Pirates, who look to improve from their 2-8 record.

Rahlai Anderson, Northside: The senior running back was second-team all-area after he rushed for 1,005 yards and 13 touchdowns, despite missing time late with an injury for the Monarchs, who went 11-3 overall, shared the Coastal Conference title at 5-1 and advanced to the 5-A East Regional final.

Carmello Beasley, Swansboro: The junior wide receiver was first-team all-area after he snared 41 receptions for 809 yards and four touchdowns.

Ton Bolden, Southwest: The senior running back looks to take the next step after he rushed for 420 yards and six touchdowns and had 12 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown for the Stallions, who look to improve from their 2-8 record.

Andrew Boucher, Croatan: The senior running back was first-team all-area after he rushed for 1,683 yards and 31 touchdowns and had 40 receptions for 512 yards and three more scores for the Cougars, who went 11-2 overall, shared the Coastal Conference title at 5-1 and advanced to the fourth round of the 5-A playoffs.

Gavyn Davis, Northside: The senior wide receiver is one of the smallest players on the field, but is credited by coaches and teammates with having the most heart. Davis was first-team all-area after he snagged 80 catches for 1,011 yards and eight touchdowns while also returning two kickoffs for scores.

Jaydon Glasson, Swansboro: The senior wide receiver hopes to elevate his production after he had nine catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Camden Good, Richlands: The senior running back looks to have a good bulk of the carries after he ran for 64 yards on just 32 carries while making 15 tackles for the Wildcats, who look to bounce back from an 3-8 record.

Dominic Hall, East Duplin: The 6-foot-5 junior first-team all-area basketball player joins the football team as a wide receiver. Hall’s height can provide a  big-play capability via the pass for the Panthers who last year went 9-3 overall, 5-0 in the East Central Conference and advanced to the third round of the 4-A playoffs.

Montez Jimenez, Jacksonville: The senior running back looks to play a role in his first year at Jacksonville after he moved from White Oak. Last year he ran for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns and was second-team all-area.

Jamian Johnson, Northside: The senior wide receiver was also first-team ll-area after he reeled in 36 catches for 522 yards and six touchdowns while also making 48 tackles.

Zion Jones, Northside: The sophomore running back emerged as a reliable ball carrier late last season as he rushed for 442 yards and two touchdowns on 101 carries.

Noah Leblanc, East Duplin: The senior running back was second-team all-area in 2024 at Richlands. He missed last season at East Duplin with an injury.

Amari Pearson, Jacksonville: The senior running back took the area by storm last year after he rushed for 1,935 yards and 30 touchdowns and was named first-team all-area after he helped the Cardinals go 12-1 overall, 5-0 in the Big Carolina Conference and advance to the 6-A East Regional final.

Elliot Pineda, White Oak: The senior was wide receiver was second-team all-area after he recorded 18 catches for 423 yards and nine touchdowns and had 54 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble for the Vikings, who went 5-7, but won their first playoff game since 2004.

Logan Potting, Liberty Christian Academy: The senior running back looks to have more gains after he rushed for 593 yards and five touchdowns last year for the Heat, which finished 6-5.

SaRonn Thompson, Jacksonville: The senior wide receiver returns to give the Cardinals another big-play threat after he was first-team all-area after he had 32 receptions for 632 yards and seven touchdowns.

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at cmiller@jdnews.com. Follow him on X @jdnsports.