New Jersey 2023 Rankings: The Running Backs

Prep Redzone breaks down the running backs currently in the New Jersey Class of 2023 prospect rankings. PRZ NJ will be adding more running back prospects to the list throughout the summer. For now, I’ll break down each running back currently ranked on our list. Key: Great, Good, Average, Below Average, Poor <strong>No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id="146663" first="Jabriel" last="Mace"]/5-10/170/Mainland</strong> Mace's team was able to play six games during a season that was shorted because of Covid-19. Syracuse, West Virginia, and Rutgers have all identified Mace as one of its early running back targets. West Virginia is his latest offer. Burst/Acceleration: Good. There aren't a lot of long runs on his highlights. However, there's not too many people who will catch him once he's out in the open based on a few of his plays. Elusiveness: Average. There's not a lot to go on from his highlights. Run Strength: Good. He's not the biggest back but he's tough in-between the tackles. Mace isn't easy to bring down. Inside Running: Average. He's able to run inside from the plays I could watch. I'd like to see more. Can take a running play inside-outside for big gains. Outside Running: Good. I definitely would like to see more plays of this type in his highlights. Routes: Average. Not enough to go on. Hands: Average: Not enough to go on. Sophomore Year Production: N/A He keeps the No. 1 spot for now. I'd like to see more running plays than defensive back plays in his highlights to justify the ranking. Mace also plays the cornerback position. It's very possible he could play that position at the next level. <strong>No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id="137286" first="Marques" last="Hicks"]/5-9/195/Camden Catholic</strong> Burst/Acceleration: Good. Hicks hits the hole quickly and gets to that second gear in a hurry. Elusiveness: Average. He has enough wiggle to make defenders at the second level miss. Run Strength: Good. You have to wrap him up. Arm tackles will not work. Inside Running: Good. On a few of Hicks' highlights, he shows he can run in-between the tackles with effectiveness. Outside Running: Average. There are not too many plays displaying his ability to turn the corner on defenders. Routes: Average. Not enough highlights to determine how good his routes are. Then again, he's credited with one catch for the 2020 season. Hands: Average: Not enough highlights to determine how good his hands are. Sophomore Year Production: Hicks carried the football 129 times for 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last season. He's right on Mace's heels for that No. 1 spot. <strong>No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id="146664" first="Justin" last="Brown"]/5-8/150/Triton</strong> Burst/Acceleration: Average. Has a decent burst coming off the ball. Could work on getting quicker in that area. Elusiveness: Average. His style is more towards the north-south variety, One-cut and go. Run Strength: Good. Despite small size, has sturdy legs, runs through tackles. Inside Running: Good. Gets good yardage on runs that start inside and end up outside because of his vision. Outside Running: Good. He has the most film out of all the backs on this list that shows he is an effective runner on the outside. He's patient and follows his blocks. Routes: Average. Not enough on film. Hands: Average? Not enough on film. Sophomore Year Production: Brown carried the football 137 times for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He rushed for 120-plus yards in five out of those six games. <b> </b>