“Currently Unranked” RBs to watch in 2021

&#8220;Currently Unranked&#8221; RBs to watch in 2021

Blaine Walstrom

May 7, 2021 @ 11:04 AM

We are going to continue our series looking at players who are currently unranked but are defiantly worth watching in the 2021 season. This time it's the running backs. Here is a list of running backs who could boost their stock with a good 2021 season. 2022 (RB) Derrick Jameson 6’1 / 185 - Maple Grove Jameson averaged 9.3 yds/att. and had 4 touchdowns on limited carries in 2020. Jameson has amazing acceleration, good strength and great balance. He can run through an arm tackle and has the balance to stay on his feet after being hit. He gets through the hole quickly, often getting to the second or third level untouched. He also has very good speed will the ability to run the 100m dash in the low 11’s. Jameson was voted team Offensive Back of the year and was All-District Honorable Mention in 2020. Jameson should be the featured back for Maple Grove in 2021 and with more opportunities, he should put up big numbers . 2022 (RB) Max Keefer 5’11 / 190 - St. Michael/Albertville Keefer rushed for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2020, averaging 8.3 yds/att. He also added 12 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown. Keefer is a phenomenal back with several intangibles. The first thing that impressed me is his blocking ability. He is a great blocking back. The second thing he possesses, is great speed. When he gets into space he has the ability to run away from defenders. I did not see Keefer lineup wide, but he did show he is very good at catching passes out of the backfield. With the departure of STMA’s two leading rushers from 2020, including [player_tooltip player_id="23686" first="David" last="Collins"] (Bemidji State Commit), Keefer is poised for a big year in 2021. 2022 (RB) Lance Liu 5’11 / 195 - Centennial Liu rushed for 771 and 4 touchdowns in 2020, averaging just under 100 yds/game. When watching film, the first thing I noticed was Liu’s ability to get “yards after contact”. He is hard to tackle! Liu is a strong powerful runner and has the measurables to show it: 445 squat, 310 bench, and 285 clean. He hits the hole hard and is alway gaining positive yardage. Liu has great acceleration and the speed to break long runs. On top of his running abilities Liu is a good pass catching back and excellent blocker. Liu was All-District and Team Offensive Back of the Year in 2020. Look for Liu to get more touches and find the end zone more often in 2021 2022 (RB) Brady Strodtman 6’1 / 195 - Bethlehem Academy Strodtman rushed for 117 yds/game and 4 touchdowns in 5 games during the 2020 season. What impresses me most about Strodtman is his power running. Strodtman is a big, strong, physical back who can run through defenders. Strodtman also has the ability to line up wide and catch passes. Strodtman will get plenty of touches in the 2021 season he should put up big numbers. 2022 (RB) Camden Ludeman 5’11 / 195 - Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Ludeman rushed for 145 yds/game and 10 touchdowns in 2020. Ludeman is an agile back with good cut back ability. He has great vision going against the grain. When Ludeman gets into space he has the breakaway speed to take the ball to the house. Ludeman also has the ability to lineup in the slot and catch the ball. Ludeman should continue to put up good numbers in 2021. 2022 (RB) Will Heydt 5’10 / 180 - Alexandria Heydt rushed for 5.6 yds/att and had 6 touchdowns in 2020. Heydt is a shifty back with good speed. He has the ability to side step and make defenders miss. Heydt is very good at making a move in the hole to gain extra yards. Once in the open Heydt has the speed to break a long run. With the departure of the Cardinal’s leading rusher from 2020, Heydt should be the featured back in 2021.