Class of 2023 Rankings Breakdown Top 5 RBs – Central Texas

The Class of 2023 Central Texas running backs are going to be a fun bunch to watch, especially these five backs from Prep Redzone Texas’ rankings. All of these backs display speed, power and tackle-breaking skills that are unmatched even rivaling the incoming seniors. This generation of running backs will be sure to turn some heads this season if they are not already turned. 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60845" first="Re’Shaun" last="Sanford"] - Harker Heights High School (Harker Heights, TX)</strong> 2020-21 Season: 1,444 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns Sanford leads the charge for Central Texas running backs in Prep Redzone TX’s rankings, he ranks No. 6 in Texas running backs and No. 51 overall. He currently has two offers from Illinois State and Louisiana-Monroe. Based on his tape, if there is any kind of hole in the defensive line, Sanford will exploit it for huge yard gains or a touchdown, no matter the size of the gap. Sanford is both fast and tough with a mean-looking stiff arm that is a reminder of Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. Overall, Sanford is a stud and will only continue to improve from here. 2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121975" first="Sedrick" last="Alexander"] - LBJ Austin High School (Austin, TX)</strong> 2020-21 Season: 764 rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns Alexander’s speed is unmatched, but what makes him such a fierce back is his ability to juke and basically break the ankles of linebackers and defensive backs. Once he gets downhill, there is no way to catch up, but what makes it worse is that if a defensive back does, Alexander will just juke and score anyway. His ball carrier vision is also impressive with his quick ability to find the gap even when the defensive line got the jump on the snap. Alexander is simply impressive with skill. 3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121983" first="Demire" last="Thompson"] - Bastrop High School (Bastrop, TX)</strong> 2020-21 Season: 831 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns Thompson is simply a back that is hard to tackle. Somehow, he slips out of almost every tackle and manages to both overpower and juke out defenders any night and day. His speed is also excellent and can remind fans of a gazelle just sprinting across the field especially in open space. It is almost majestic, but when the gazelle starts mowing defenders down, it is a reminder that Thompson is a beast of a back. 4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131825" first="Aimeer" last="Washington"] - Harker Heights High School (Harker Heights, TX)</strong> 2020-21 Season: 412 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns Both Washington and Sanford are alike but what Washington has is his pure size and strength. He is the kind of back that will start dragging defenders across the field even though they have his legs wrapped up. He is essentially a fullback with the speed of a running back, which is pretty scary if you are a defensive back trying to make the tackle. As a whole, Harker Heights has two elite running backs creating a dangerous backfield. 5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121985" first="Jake" last="Iloka"] - Pflugerville High School (Pflugerville, TX)</strong> 2020-21 Season: 858 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns Iloka has appeared many times on Prep Redzone’s radar and for good reason. His speed is incredible, especially given that he can run a 4.5 40-yard dash. He should be given the nickname "The Flash" given that he is so fast fans barely have time to blink before he is halfway down the field. Personally, I had to re-watch his highlight tape because I’d look away for two seconds and I would miss entire plays. Iloka will be fun to watch but a warning to scouts, don’t blink when it is his turn to have the ball.