Top 5 Running Backs for the Class of 2021

To say that there is tremendous talent at the running back position for the class of 2021 in the state of Kansas would be an understatement. With 5 running backs ranked in the top 28 players overall, there will be a lot of exciting plays from these backs during their senior season in 2020. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="35344" first="Devin" last="Neal"] 5’11 208 Lawrence [player_tooltip player_id="35344" first="Devin" last="Neal"] is the #1 RB and the #3 ranked player overall in the class of 2021. He has committed to the University of Kansas. In 2019, he rushed for 1,699 yds and 26 TD with 30 rec 524 yds 6 TD. He is a tough, decisive runner showing great decision making with excellent burst through the hole. Displays very good contact balance as he keeps his balance after initial contact with LB and DB. Effectively uses his agility and quickness to make defenders miss as well as his play speed to outrun them. In the passing game, he runs wheel routes out of the backfield as well as go and seam routes when lined up on the LOS. He quickly uses his athletic ability to get behind defenders while displaying good hands as he can make on target catches with his hands consistently. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="35347" first="Tank" last="Young"] 5’6 185 St. Thomas Aquinas [player_tooltip player_id="35347" first="Tank" last="Young"] is the #2 RB and #6 player overall in the class of 2021. In 2019, he rushed for 1,867 yds and 32 TD and caught 12 passes for 158 yds with 3 TD. A strong player with a low center of gravity as he uses his play strength to run over larger defenders. Shows good burst through the hole and quickly accelerates into the open field for large gains. In the passing game, he uses his play speed to get behind the defenders on go and wheel routes showing good hands as he catches on target passes with ease. An outstanding KR, he uses his quickness and agility to avoid defenders leading to big returns on both kickoffs and punts. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="35356" first="Julius" last="Bolden"] 5’11 185 Wichita Northwest [player_tooltip player_id="35356" first="Julius" last="Bolden"] is the #3 RB and #15 player overall in the class of 2021. In 2019, he rushed for 1,567 yds and 29 TD with 9 receptions for 137 yds and a TD. He shows good burst as he quickly gets through the hole and accelerates to top speed while using his quickness to elude defenders as well as his power to break tackles and falls forward for a few extra yards. In instances where the ball is thrown to him, he shows the manual dexterity to make catches that are thrown lower than his strike zone. 4. [player_tooltip player_id="35361" first="Hunter" last="Trail"] 5’8 175 4.65 Bishop Carroll [player_tooltip player_id="35361" first="Hunter" last="Trail"] is the #4 RB and #20 player overall in the class of 2021. In 2019, he rushed for 771 yds and 14 TD with 5 receptions for 20 yds. He effectively uses his vision to create extra yardage by making great decisions on zone runs and can adjust on the fly on power runs. Runs behind his pads and is able to run over larger defenders while keeping his balance after initial contact before he accelerates into the open field for big gains. In addition to his prowess as a RB, he is also an outstanding LB on the other side of the ball. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="35369" first="Tyler" last="Bowden"] 5’9 175 4.42 Lawrence Free State [player_tooltip player_id="35369" first="Tyler" last="Bowden"] is the #5 RB and the #28 player overall in the class of 2021. In 2019, he rushed for 1,920 yds and 28 TD. He shows great quickness and burst through the hole and is nearly impossible to stop once he gets into the open field due to his incredible play speed. He shows the ability to finish with elusiveness and speed while displaying great balance after contact as he consistently shows the ability to generate yards after contact. Shows good mental toughness as he rises to the occasion in the red zone.