Central Coast Section: Top Rushing Leaders

Photo: Dennis Putian Maxpreps

Paul Gregorian April 14, 2021 @ 01:16 PM

The CCS has tons of talent ranging from schools in the powerful WCAL to schools all along the coast both having top tier 2021 Senior talent and young prospects ranging from breakout players to Freshman having Power Five offers with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id="115416" first="Joseph" last="Bey"], [player_tooltip player_id="115421" first="Danny" last="Niu"] and [player_tooltip player_id="115419" first="Jabari" last="Mann"]. Below, we will dive into the running back position and break down the film of some of the top rushers in the CCS that are having huge seasons and who are poised to continue their CCS dominance next Fall.   Adam Garwood, Los Gatos HS Garwood is a very well put together back that has FCS caliber abilities at the next level and has been a dominant runner in the CCS for the past few years. So far this Spring season, he has continued right where he left off and is continuing his dominance against all opponents. On film, he is a very explosive back that is a natural runner and carries the ball tough in-between the tackles and is fast and elusive enough to bounce outside and make defenders miss one on one and in the open field. Showing good initial acceleration and also possessing third level speed, he is a balanced back that is tough to bring down due to leg drive and lower body strength. A tough and physical player with the ball in his hands, he is one of the top unsigned backs in all of Norcal.   Richard Jackson IV, Gunn HS Jackson is a big physical runner that could also play linebacker at the next level. On tape, he is an upright runner that gets downhill in a hurry and displays good leg drive through contact and a low pad level. A natural athlete, he is a long strider that has good vision in traffic and deceptive open field speed, forcing defenders to take bad angles and miss in the open field. He is one of the top under the radar 2021 prospects that Norcal has to offer.   Josh Butler, Palo Alto HS Butler is a compact and physical runner that shows a good initial burst through the first level and has enough lateral movement ability in the short area to make defenders miss and run through tight windows. A tough and physical runner, he bounces off arm/ankle tackles and displays strong contact balance while able to consistently fall forward. He has a powerful lower body and can successfully gain yards inside and outside the tackles.   Max Griffiths, Leigh HS Griffiths is one of the most natural pass catchers out of the backfield that the Bay Area has to offer in the 2021 class. An elusive runner in the open field, he shows good vision through traffic and runs with a good combination of balance and power by running with consistent leg drive and bouncing off contact while able to gain tough yards on his own. He shows good foot speed through the hole and has strong lateral movement abilities in space. Overall, he is a D-II or D-III caliber prospect that can make an impact at the next level.   Mark Eby, Leland HS Eby is a D-III caliber athlete that has the length and natural athleticism to play on the second level of the defense at the next level. On tape, he shows strong outside running ability while running behind his pads and running through initial contact. More of an upright runner, he is still raw at the position and will bring versatility to a college program.   Andrew Palacios, Wilcox HS One of the top young backs in the Bay Area, the 2023 prospect is a North and south runner that runs well inside and hits the hole in a hurry. Showing persistent leg drive and running behind his pads, he can run through arm tackles and gets the tough yards when needed. Having above average speed and using a powerful running style, the Sophomore back will be one to watch in the Fall.   Other Prospects To watch... Luther Glenn, Wilcox HS Jordan Fuentes, Live Oak HS Jakerion Thurmon, Del Mar (San Jose) Luke Nessel, Carlmont HS Andrew Latu, Sacred Heart Prep HS Jared Walsh, Aragon HS