Grayson tailback Amari Alston was not happy after the Rams left the playoffs following a 45-35 semifinals loss to eventual champion Milton.
He responded accordingly.
“I started training after we lost that game (Milton). It was hard losing that game, and the next day I got back to work. I took full responsibility for it and got back to work immediately. I called my trainer and said let’s get to work,” said Alston. “My trainers put me through the ringer. They get me to work every day and they take care of me. They make sure I get my rehab done on Wednesdays. On Thursdays, they make sure I am not doing too much, and make sure I am ready on Fridays.”
Alston was third on the team in rushing yards (617) and fourth in touchdowns (6) and had the least number of carries among the four leading rushers on the team during his junior campaign. But he has already started to gear up for the upcoming season after the semifinal playoff loss.
Alston has been behind running backs Joe Taylor and Dylan Elder in the Grayson backfield that is historically brewing with talent and physicality. Also has continued to be patient and has been waiting his turn and learned a lot from the backs that came before him and appreciates the impact they have had on his game.
“I say I learned physicality. Being a smaller back, I need to be more physical and bring more power to the game. I work out with them all of the time. They taught me a lot about that. I am appreciative of that,” said Alston.
He is a physical back and downhill runner who doesn’t go down on first contact. Last offseason, you could see Alston training in the sand to develop his speed. His power comes from his legs and helps him break a lot of tackles. There is one running back that models his game after that has had a big impact on his high school career.
“I would say the one I model my game after is Saquon Barkley. I feel like we play kind of alike. I watch a lot of his film and try to get better from him,” said Alston. “I do a lot of single-leg box jumps. Single-leg balance beams. A lot of single jumps bring a lot of power to your legs. I squat 500 pounds and definitely squat a lot.”
He is starting to generate some steam on the recruiting trail picking up offers from Eastern Kentucky, Central Michigan, and Western Kentucky in 2023. Alston has also garnered some interest from Central Florida and Tennessee after visiting both programs last year.
“I feel like Western Kentucky could definitely be home. It’s a place I would want to be at. There’s a family over there and a great environment for me to be in,” he said. “I love the environment and the people of Tennessee. It is kind of like a little city there in Knoxville. It’s a really fun place to be at. I had a lot of fun there. That definitely could be home if I get a chance to get an offer there.
His most recent offers are from Eastern Kentucky and Central Michigan he hasn’t met the staff yet, but plans to build and cultivate those relationships in the spring and summer.
Alston has big goals for 2024 and plans to be more durable for Grayson. He missed some time in 2023 dealing with injuries and is prioritizing his training and diet. He wants to be a reliable player for Grayson in hopes of being a contender next year.
“My goal is to break records. I know I have it in me to break rushing records. I know I can do it, so that is what I am focused on. Also, I want to stay healthy,” said Alston. “I have to do that. I can’t come out of games early because my team needs me. I think I missed six games last year, so I definitely have to stay healthy and eat better. I have a lot left in the tank, and I am not sold knowing that I can do better. I have to push myself this offseason. My main focus this offseason is to get better and get to work.”
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