Five 2022 RBs Primed for a Breakout Season

Illinois will have a football season this spring–I'm going to do my best to keep speaking this into existence–and when the season starts, it's going to be cold, frigid, and maybe snowy. This type of weather will affect how offensive coordinators scheme up their gameplan. It's a lot harder to throw and catch the ball in the freezing cold, and those tasks become even more challenging if it's snowing. So which position is most likely to thrive in these adverse conditions? You guessed it– the running back. I would be elated if I'm a RB playing this spring. Teams will have to lean on their ground game to get them through the frigidness that awaits; because of that, I expect a lot of ground and pound from teams. So without further ado, here are five 2022 RBs who are in-line for a breakout season this coming spring.   [player_tooltip player_id="20873" first="Aaron" last="Vaughn Jr."] | Providence Catholic Vaughn is by far one of the more polished three-down backs in the '22 class. He has good vision, anticipation, and is a patient runner who knows how to set up his blocks. Has good speed, can cut back on a dime, and brushes off arm tackles with regularity. Flashes good hands out of the backfield and is more than capable of being a key component in his team's passing attack. [player_tooltip player_id="20872" first="Trevor" last="Burnett"] | Glenbard South Burnett is an amazing athlete who you can scheme your offense around. He's a naturally gifted runner of the football and is a big play waiting to happen. Is more of a one-cut-and-go type of back who can wiggle around defenders if necessary. Has the ability to out-run defenses with the breakaway speed he possesses. If need be, he can line up out-wide and cause problems for the opposing secondary. Kendrick Washington | Shephard Washington has a ton of potential that has yet to be unlocked; whenever he does unlock it, we'll be looking at one of the more dynamic athletes in the state. He runs with a purpose as if every carry is his last, and he won't hesitate to initiate contact at the point of attack. Has great speed and can impact the game out of the backfield or lined up as a WR. I'm a firm believer there would be much more buzz surrounding Washington had it not been for COVID delaying the season. Ena Dorcoo | Joliet West Dorcoo displays great speed and the potential to connect on the home run play with each carry. He's your prototypical change-of-pace/scatback who has good vision, the ability to explode through the holes, and is slippery in tight spaces. Can be a nightmare in the catch-and-run game and is a competent and willing blocker for his size. Derek Whaley | Mt. Carmel Whaley has a ton of upside and is a player who can potentially breakout this season. He's an old-fashion, no-nonsense hard-nosed runner of the football whose running style wears on his opponents as he gets stronger as the game goes on. Don’t let his power running prowess fool you, he's athletic enough and more than capable of making defenders miss and ripping off long runs. Has great size for a back and displays the ability to catch out of the backfield.