Tape Breakdown: Bay Area Running Backs

<em><strong>Across the region, the running back position has no shortage of next level players who are coming off of hue seasons or continuing with their prolific high school careers. Many Northern California running backs have FBS offers and are some of the most talented ball carriers in the state. Below, we will breakdown the film of some under-recruited running backs across the Bay Area in the 2022-2024 class. </strong></em> <hr /> &nbsp; &nbsp; <em><strong>Janari Boone, Benicia HS</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_158780" align="alignleft" width="231"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-158780" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-16-at-11.44.47-AM-231x300.png" alt="" width="231" height="300" /> Photo: Times-Herald[/caption] <p style="text-align: left;">Boone is one of the best two-way players across the region and is very versatile on both sides of the ball. He is more of a North and South runner that has deceptive short area quickness and runs well behind his pads while able to run through lower body contact and is a natural forward leaner. On defense, he has a quick trigger while a sound tackler that can get off blocks and scrape over the top and fill efficiently and quickly. Projected as a defensive player at the next level, he should start to see his recruiting stock continue to rise in the coming months leading into what should be a huge Senior season for him.</p> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <em><strong>  Darian Leon-Guerrero, Vacaville HS</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_158781" align="alignleft" width="254"]<img class=" wp-image-158781" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-16-at-11.48.22-AM-261x300.png" alt="" width="254" height="292" /> Photo: Darian Leon-Guerrero Hudl[/caption] Leon-Guerrero was one of the top unknown backs in Northern California that burst onto the scene this spring season and had one of the most productive 5 game stretches of any back in the state. He has a terrific initial burst through the LOS, while displaying strong vision in tight windows and can navigate through traffic while adding a third level burst in the open field. Possessing strong long speed, he can make defenders miss in the box with plus short area quickness/lateral movement skills while forcing them to take bad angles in space while finishing off runs with good physicality and toughness. He is a balanced back that should start to see college interest come his way through the Fall. &nbsp; &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25189" first="Dylan" last="Smith"], Vintage HS</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_158782" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-158782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/Screen-Shot-2021-06-16-at-11.51.17-AM-300x237.png" alt="" width="300" height="237" /> Photo: Napa Sports News[/caption] Smith is one of the toughest and most physical backs in Northern California, regardless of size or class. Playing for a top team in the region, he is a hard runner who hits the hole in a hurry and is always falling forward and gaining the tough yards. He is well put together and a very strong kid with nice initial acceleration through the hole and relies on contact balance and leg drive to break tackles and spring big plays. He is a one cut runner that can effectively run in-between the tackles with a low pad level, or bounce it outside when needed. He has the ability to play at the FCS level and should draw attention through his Senior season for the crushers. &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Other Top Backs...</strong></em></span> <em><strong>Joshua Butler, Palo Alto HS</strong></em> <em><strong>Ralston Raphael, Menlo School </strong></em> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="142006" first="Frank" last="Payne"], Las Lomas HS</strong></em> <em><strong>Ivan Robledo, Saint Helena HS</strong></em> <em><strong>Joey Skinner, Windsor HS</strong></em> <em><strong>Shamond Brooks, Freedom HS</strong></em> <em><strong>Zach Sandoval, Castro Valley HS</strong></em> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141988" first="Camilo" last="Arquette"], Saint Francis HS</strong></em> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145207" first="Devon" last="Rivers"], Heritage HS</strong></em> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25387" first="Kai" last="Hall"], St. Vincent de Paul HS</strong></em>