Phinizee named Class 5A Back of the Year

Many great players have taken the field for the Russellville High School football team over the years, but few Golden Tigers have been able to claim they were the best at their position in their respective classification.

In Montgomery, on the morning of Tuesday, January 28, Russellville junior running back Cameron Phinizee became the first Russellville player since Brent Calloway in 2010 to be named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A Back of the Year and is just one of four Golden Tigers to earn an annual individual award from the association. (Aaron Sears was named 5A Lineman of the Year in 2002 and Chad Sears was the ASWA 5A Player of the Year in 1994.)

“I think he’s one of four Russellville players to come away with this type of award,” Russellville head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “It’s a tremendous honor and it’s a testament to his ability and what he’s been able to do on the football field the last two seasons.”

During the 2024 season Phinizee, the Class 5A Region 7 MVP, rushed for 2,331 yards, averaged just over 10 yards per carry, and scored 28 rushing touchdowns. Phinizee was the third-leading rusher in the state, according to MaxPreps, and one of just six to rush for over 2,000 yards this past campaign. The two-time First Team All-State running back has rushed for over 5,000 yards in his career, has averaged 9.4 yards per carry, and has a career total 75 rushing touchdowns over three seasons with the Golden Tigers.

Goodwin added that Phinizee’s accomplishment not only shows the respect the individual has garnered around the state but counts the award as a win for the football program as a whole, too.

“He’s gotten visibility, for sure, and it’s a testament to what he’s been able to put on tape being that he had a lot of success as a sophomore and then continued that in his junior season—and doing it through a coaching change. It speaks volumes to the talent he has and really the guys playing around him, too,” the Russellville head coach said. “I think anytime you have an individual award it’s great for that kid and they do everything to deserve it, but it’s a team achievement, as well. He’s a special talent but you can’t do everything by yourself, so I think it’s big for not only Cam but for our entire football team.”

Still just a junior, Phinizee has one more season to make his mark at the prep level. Recently the running back has received college offers from Division I programs like UAB and Yale, and there will almost certainly be more to follow.

Goodwin said Phinizee has a lot of natural gifts and talent and just like any player his potential can only grow if he continues to work hard.

“He’s a good-sized kid, his build is very good, he’s very tough to tackle, and he has good vision,” he said. “He’s very tough to tackle at the second level and in space and then he has the speed to finish runs. I think all those things are great positives that he has, and he puts them on display on Friday nights.

“Where can he get better? You know, I believe in constantly trying to improve no matter where you are or what position you hold. I think that’s the goal: Wake up every day and get a little better. That’s how we challenge them, whether it’s getting stronger in the weight room or doing a little more film study or being more flexible or faster,” Goodwin added. “I think everyone has room to improve from a personal standpoint and that’s what we encourage both our coaches and players to do.

“Fortunately for us Cam’s got another year left and so he can only grow as a person and as a player. We’re excited to see what’s in store for him and where his career takes him.”