5 Running Backs From the 2021 Class Ready to Breakout This Season
Part Three of our series brings us to the workhorses, the change of pace players, the jitterbugs, the position that gives us some of the most diverse play styles and body compositions on the field… the running back position. Stemming…
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Continue ReadingPart Three of our series brings us to the workhorses, the change of pace players, the jitterbugs, the position that gives us some of the most diverse play styles and body compositions on the field… the running back position. Stemming from those different styles and body types, a lot of times running backs will play other positions as well, usually somewhere on defense. I tried to take that into consideration and I chose five players that I believe can continue playing running back at the next level. Ahead, we will look at the current recruiting attention and film breakdown of five running backs from the 2021 class that are poised to breakout this season and hopefully receive the recruiting attention they deserve.
Will Straka Will Straka 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Mineral Point | 2021 State WI – Mineral Point, 6’1″ 215
Will is an exceptional two way player that could play at the next level on either side of the ball. I chose to have him in the running back group because he is electric with the ball in his hands. During the 2019 season he scored at an absurd rate. Nearly 25% of his rushing attempts ended in scores not to mention that he averaged just under 9.5 yards per attempt! This has led to his name being first on this list. It is unbelievable that to date he has an offer from Culver- Stockton and a couple of visits under his belt. After diving further into his film it is clear that Will has been under recruited and it is time for his name to be put on the map.
Straka already looks ready for the next level. He is for sure a D3 prospect, but I wouldn’t be shocked if after another impressive season some D2 schools start throwing offers his way. Will has an excellent frame for a heavier workload, yet has the athleticism to be a big play threat with every touch and his burst is eye opening. You don’t often see RBs of his size go from almost a dead stop to full speed in a matter of steps like he does. Pair that with his strong contact balance and you get an RB that needs to start receiving more attention out on the recruiting trail. He is a definite college athlete.
Matthew Grzybowski Matthew Grzybowski 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Bay Port | 2021 State WI – Bay Port, 5’9″ 180
Grzybowski is a jitterbug with the ball in his hands. In 2019 he played the change of pace role for Bay Port, which probably has led to him not receiving a ton of recruiting attention. He had to play second fiddle to Isaiah Gash, but 2020 looks like his year to handle a much larger workload. To date, Grzybowski doesn’t hold any offers, but when he puts his skills and a large workload together that should start to change for him. His film was fun to watch as he sliced through defenses on his way to 853 yards and 14 TDs on the ground while not being the primary back!
The first note to make when watching his film is that Matt doesn’t have the size a lot of schools look for in their lead backs, but that isn’t the role he needs to be successful. His traits scream change of pace back who can come in on third down or when a larger back has softened up the defense and absolutely gash them for big plays. Matt does a good job of pairing vision and agility so that he can make people miss in a phone booth giving him the ability to run outside and between the tackles. Once he hits green grass good luck catching him. Grzybowski can absolutely fly in the open field. Matt is one I will be tracking this season, and colleges need to as well because he is going to put on a show against some of the best competition in the state.
Josh Bulski Josh Bulski 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Muskego | 2021 State WI – Muskego, 5’10″ 190
Bulski is a grinder. He was responsible for getting the hard yards and carrying the load for the state champion Muskego Warriors. He finished 2019 with 227 carries for 1285 yards and 9 touchdowns. To date, Bulski’s offer list is made up of Simpson College. After reviewing the film, I agree that Bulski is a division 3 prospect right now, but his list of offers should already be made up of a handful of teams. He was a major key to the best team in Wisconsin last season.
On film Josh shows a good combination of vision and burst. He takes hand offs picks his spots and then gets to his 4.5 speed in no time flat and when contact come you can count on Josh to be the hammer and deliver the hit instead of absorbing it. While Josh isn’t the shiftiest RB on the team he is surprisingly slippery for how physical of a runner he is. He doesn’t make huge jump cuts, but his subtle adjustments in the hole create the space he needs to make defenders fall off. In the end, that Muskego backfield is going to something special and teams need to make sure they don’t overlook the workhorse when they watch.
Gabe Finley Gabe Finley 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB DeForest | 2021 State WI – DeForest, 5’11″ 210
Finley is the motor that churned DeForest to a Division 3 state championship in 2019. Gabe is your old school ground and pound running back who will be able to handle a large workload at the next level whether that is division 2 or 3. Thus far, Finley has offers from UW- River Falls and Simpson College as well as several Junior Day invites from D2 schools. I’m confident that either during or after another dominant season that interest will turn into more offers. He deserves them for sure when you watch his tape. He is a man on the field.
When you pop in the tape it is obvious from the first snap that Finley is a freight train with the ball in his hands. He has a very low center of gravity and really good contact balance making it very hard to get him off balance and even harder to bring down. He is the definition of a workhorse. He has an excellent blend of power and speed and he is built to be able to handle 20 touches a game at the next level. Another year being a man among boys should ramp up his college interest even further.
Will Ockler Will Ockler 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Menomonie | 2021 State WI – Menomonie, 5’11″ 193
Will is another two way player that could find success on either side of the ball at the next level. I included him in the running back group because I believe that he has the athletic ability to be a reliable player there. Will has the speed to stay on offense. He was a state qualifier in both the 100 and 200 meter dash and it shows when he gets into the open field. During his time at Menomonie, Ockler has split time in the backfield with another very gifted running back. This may have led him to fall under the radar of a lot of teams because he currently doesn’t have any offers posted and I couldn’t uncover any on my own research. That can’t continue.
When you pop on the tape you see a natural athlete. He is a one cut runner who once he hits open grass won’t be caught by many players while also having the body type of a guy who can handle a much more significant role. He just hasn’t had to be in that role. Even if he doesn’t garner interest at RB, his athletic gifts could turn him into a top flight linebacker if he wanted to go that route. He is physical and flies through his gaps when filling against the run and is a sure tackler. No matter the side of the ball, Ockler needs more interest. He can fill a need at the next level for a team.
Tune back in for Part Four as we look at five wide receiver prospects ready to breakout during the 2020 season!