Scouting the Top Five Unsigned NJ Running Backs

As a lifelong follower of New Jersey high school football, particularly in the Monmouth-Ocean County area, Friday night lights at the Jersey Shore are synonymous with ground and pound games led by workhorse running backs. Though the position has undergone a serious evolution at the college and professional level, high school running backs are often the first player opposing teams key on stopping. That hasn’t stopped some of Jersey’s premier runners from committing to schools like Wake Forest, Temple, and Navy. Other backs are still searching for the right college fit. Here is a look at what the top five unsigned running backs bring to the backfield and beyond. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27865" first="Audric" last="Estime"], St. Joe’s Montvale</strong> The seventh overall prospect in the NJ top 100, Estime is a home run hitter that can line up in the backfield or out of the slot. Estime is an upright runner that excels at picking through bodies at the line of scrimmage and getting loose at the second level. This is a player that will make the first man miss consistently, changing gears as he gains an edge on defenders. Was used as a receiver, where he catches the ball naturally and turns up field sharply, and as a jet sweep option to gain momentum towards the boundary. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27885" first="Jahmir" last="Dooley"], West Side </strong> Speed is the name of Dooley’s game, as he’s an absolute blur on tape. Dooley simply plays the game at a different speed than anyone else on the field, and doesn’t take long to hit full speed. This isn’t a player you have to worry about being caught from behind, as Dooley runs with the long speed to destroy angles against defensive backs. Capable of high pointing the ball as a receiver and stacking cornerbacks off the line, Dooley’s skill set is one that can’t be taught. Expect a rise from our 27th overall prospect as he channels his speed game into becoming a more refined back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27913" first="Donovan" last="Wadley"], Weequahic</strong> Wadley is an elusive runner with a low center of gravity and easy acceleration through all levels of the defense. This is a hard back to get a hand on, slipping tackles with both power and nimble feet to cut quickly. Wadley is patient with the ball in his hands, allowing blocks to develop and reading them decisively to burst up field. Pass protection is a strength of Wadley’s game that college coaches should love, currently the 55th ranked prospect in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27918" first="Frank" last="Riggio"], Verona </strong> Riggio is as complete a running back as you’ll find on the high school level. Capable of making defenders miss in a variety of ways, it’s a compilation of Riggio’s traits that stands out more than any one aspect of his game. Running with short steps and making quick work of arm tackles, Riggio will drag defenders for extra yards as he runs with ideal power and balance. Not many tacklers get a clear shot to bring Riggio to the ground. Riggio doesn’t have to be featured on a play to make an impact, more than willing to do the dirty work as a blocker. The Verona star measures in at just 5’8", but plays with a toughness that jumps off the film and lands him at 60th overall in NJ. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27919" first="Jaiden" last="Abrams"], Hammonton</strong> Abrams comes in at 61st overall for NJ prospects, but there is plenty to love about his game. The 5’11" running back can find the smallest patch of open field to punish defenses, taking pride in running through tackles. Though it looks like Abrams is laboring down the field at times, this is a strong runner with a thick frame that is capable of impressing with suddenness at the line of scrimmage to jump cut and evade tacklers. <hr /> New Jersey has long been a hotbed for running back prospects, with this year’s class being no exception. The diverse set of skills seen from Estime, Dooley, Wadley, Riggio, and Abrams here highlights the need for talent at this position to succeed in high school football. All five of these runners have what it takes to stand out in showcases and fall camps prior to a defining 2020 season. &nbsp;