San Diego Section’s Top Class of ’21 Unsigned Rushing Leaders
The San Diego Section currently has 5 solid senior running backs who have not been signed or committed to any college program yet. Whether it is Juco or D1 football, these talented student athletes were 5 of the top 6…
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Continue ReadingThe San Diego Section currently has 5 solid senior running backs who have not been signed or committed to any college program yet. Whether it is Juco or D1 football, these talented student athletes were 5 of the top 6 running back rushing leaders last season and have established a good resume for themselves to earn an opportunity to play college football.
Kavika Tua – 5’9, 180 lbs – Oceanside – Senior
Twitter: @veeks9 (deleted)
Over 4,000 all purpose yards in 3 seasons on varsity, Kavika Tua is easily one of the top premium running backs out of San Diego. Averaging 8.7 yards per carry in his high school career, Tua has received offers from Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, San Jose State and South Dakota. A 5’9 running back who hits the hole with no hesitation, can cut up field really well, is physical at the end of runs and has an excellent change or direction. A good forward lean runner who brings power and elusiveness to his game, Tua has registered 53 total touchdowns, 21 100+ yard games and has 60 receptions since his freshman year. Including special teams, He has amassed for over 5,000 all purpose yards. A resume that speaks for itself, this running back has the makings of a scholarship athlete written all over him. Only concerns I have are, he does not show blazing get away speed and sometimes holds the football in his inside arm which is more exposed to fumbles. But those issues can easily be worked on with more focus and attention. Last year as a junior, Tua had 2,166 yards on the ground which was the 13th most yards in the entire country and 3rd most in the state of California.
Nicholas Gardinera – 5’10, 200 lbs – Scripps Ranch – Senior
Twitter: @NGardinera
The 2 year starter at Scripps Ranch High School has received offers from Valparaiso, Carnegie Mellon and Lake Erie University. Gardinera has ran for 30 touchdowns, 2,782 yards in 2 seasons as a starter and also averaged 6.9 yards a carry last season. Gardinera is more of a bigger inside runner, doesn’t have next level speed, but has good feet and is strong to break tackles and get yards after contact. His strength allows him to rip through arm tackles from defenders and has really good vision to be decisive and allow the blocks to set himself up for real positive gains. For me, his best trait is that he always keeps his feet moving no matter how many defenders are in front of him, which is a good asset for him down near the goal line and short yardage situations.
Erik Hernandez – 5’4, 148 lbs – Castle Park – Senior
Twitter: @xErik_4
Being the smallest guy who I have reviewed, Hernandez leaped off my screen after seeing his first play on his highlight tape. A fast, supreme elusive ball carrier who has vision to climb to the 2nd level of a defense and reverse field and cut back at a high level. The body control and superb vision to position himself to find an open lane to accelerate himself is outstanding. Surprisingly with him being 5’4, he can actually be physical finishing runs against any opponent. In his junior season, Hernandez had 1,703 yards, on 159 carries with 25 touchdowns, and had four 200+ yard games. With a whopping 10.7 yards per carry, this running back has defeated the stigma of small running backs not succeeding. He only had 3 catches all season, which concerns me a bit, however, Castle Park only completed 39 passes the entire season so I suspect that is due to scheme more than anything. Hopefully he can get more exposure sooner rather than later as this new year continues.
Jose Devoux – 5’9, 185 lbs – Holtville – Senior
Twitter: @JoseDevoux
The 3 year varsity running back is an interesting prospect, Devoux is a bit of a tweener, as he is not a bruiser type of back nor is he the most shiftiest. But he somehow finds a way to manufacture yards and can get the job done. A strong runner who does not go down easily, uses his stiff arm, can spin out tackles and refuses to go down at will. He has good down the field speed when he accelerates past the 2nd level of the defense. Last season, Devoux was unbelievable, he ran for 30 touchdowns, 1,549 yards, and had four 100+ yard games, three 200+ yard games, and one 300+ yard game. As a sophomore, he had 1,830 yards with 25 touchdowns, where he had six 200+ yard outings. Collegiately, Devoux can be used in several ways as his skill set is still a bit unknown, but if he can polish his running back skills a bit more, he will gain more attention.
Dustan Ellison – 5’11, 195 lbs – Serra – Senior
Twitter: @EllisonDustan
With 41 touchdowns in 2 years, Ellison has ran for well over 1,000 yards in those seasons. A back who can find room and holes between the tackles, also caught 24 passes as a sophomore. Doesn’t have blazing speed or agility but he is a good football player that plays off instinct and awareness. I see him having a mixed role at the college level, perhaps being a hybrid player on offense such as somewhat of a slotback role, where he can use his skills to catch, run and block. Running for 2,669 yards in his high school career, should not go unnoticed in hopes of landing an opportunity to play collegiate football.