High Talent Level, Low Recognition: RBs

Welcome back to the second installment highlighting 2022s from across Wisconsin who haven’t seen the level of recruiting attention from the next level that their talent deserves. Today we are going to dive into the film and current recruiting attention of seven running backs. This is always an interesting position group when it comes to recruiting because a lot of time these high school RBs will make themselves far more valuable by being able to not only play RB, but also show that they could potentially fill another need for a team. Each of the athletes I am highlighting today have the ability to help a team in more ways than just RB. However, I do believe that each of these athletes should be first considered as RBs. This is a talented group of student athletes and I believe there is a player for nearly every level among the seven I’m covering today. Let’s get it started! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31227" first="Obacoso" last="Allen"], 5’10" 180- Catholic Memorial</strong> <em>Season Stats: 749 Rushing Yds, 4 TDs</em> We have been a big fan of Obacoso’s game since last summer when he debuted as the RB2 for the Class of 2022. I have a hard time understanding how a year later he has to be included on this list. There is so much to his game to love, yet according to his twitter account it looks like he is still hunting for that first offer from the next level. I can’t recommend checking out this kid’s film enough. His natural instincts as a ball carrier jump off the screen. His vision to find lanes, patience in the backfield, and decisive running stand out on every play. Allen has also shown that he is a hard player to contain and bring down. He can not only make defenders miss in a phone booth, he can also use some surprising power to run through contact. Allen has also made himself a three down option as he has shown that he is a willing and effective pass blocker, and he can be a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Don’t miss out on one of Wisconsin’s best ball carriers! [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Fa8nu0ijs&ab_channel=MidwestSportsFilm[/embed] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31377" first="Elijah" last="Gray"], 5’10" 175- Middleton</strong> <em>Season Stats: 468 Rushing Yds, 4 TDs</em> Elijah is a long and lean ball carrier that has the athletic profile to be able to help a team at the next level in several ways. His first shot should definitely be as an RB where he could become a dangerous change of pace option for an offense. When Elijah gets out in space he becomes one of the most dangerous playmakers that you will find in our RB rankings. He is able to make defenders miss in the backfield and out his space, his acceleration and top end speed paired with his long strides allows him to cover a lot of ground. That playmaking ability has also made Elijah a dangerous kick returner and could continue that into the next level of competition. To date, it doesn’t look like Gray has received any offers from the next level. That needs to change for an RB that has worked his way into the top 10 of our upcoming rankings release! Check out the film! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15732280/6072c638ab92961804f7af5a">Elijah’s First 3 Junior Games</a> <strong>Gus Theisen, 5’10" 200- Regis</strong> <em>Season Stats: 295 Rushing Yds, 4 TDs</em> The Regis product checks off a lot of boxes whether you look at him on tape or check out his testing metrics. He has posted 4.50 40 times, 9’10" broad jumps, and 36" vertical jumps. He packs all that athletic ability into a compact, strong 5’10" 200 lbs frame. When you click on the tape you see him translate those jumps into explosive acceleration from his FB position in the Regis offense. I don’t think there is an RB with more patience than Gus. There are some clips in his film where he is at a standstill letting his blocks develop before flashing the acceleration. Once he gets into the open field that timed speed carries over to game speed as he consistently leaves defenders in the dust. It’s only a matter of time before a team comes forward with an offer that has been eluding Theisen so far. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11269961/5faddd149a913d0b6452217c">Gus’ Junior Season</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="161980" first="Teague" last="Szudy"], 5’11" 200- Oregon</strong> <em>Season Stats: 264 Rushing Yds, 6 TDs</em> It’s a small sample size as Teague was only able to play 3.5 games this past spring, but that was clearly enough time to prove that he has the talent to be able to continue playing into the college level. He has the prototypical build for the RB position, and his game matches the build well. Teague’s #1 trait that jumps out on his junior film is his contact balance. Arm tackles stand zero chance of pulling him down and if a defender tries to lower a shoulder Szudy is going to run right through them. Once he breaks through the tackle attempts he has the play speed to create big plays. Teague has been making the rounds this summer as he has attended the NIU, Illinois, and UW- La Crosse prospect camps. Despite the strong film and camp exposure it looks like Teague is still searching for that first offer. I believe he can be a solid workhorse at the next level thanks to his size, ability to play through contact, and his play speed. Check him out! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11271457/60c20b52041e4804ac684bb9">Teague’s Junior Season</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31336" first="Cal" last="Martine"], 6’ 230- Appleton North</strong> <em>Season Stats: 834 Rushing Yards, 13 TDs</em> The next RB I want to highlight is one of the most physically imposing ball carriers that Wisconsin has to offer. The 6’ 230 lbs RB definitely has the size to handle to the wear and tear of playing at the next level and he has the athletic traits to continue playing the position at the next level. I wouldn’t be shocked if Cal received interest on the defensive side of the ball either. He doesn’t have the experience there, but with his size and athleticism I can easily see him being an impactful LB. As a RB though, Cal consistently leaves a trail of defenders behind him. If they try to go high he easily shrugs them off, and arm tackles are all but useless on him. Martine is at his best when he can run north and south. His size and speed allow him to hit holes at rates that make it hard for defenders to get in a good position to tackle him, and if they don’t get a good square shot at him they aren’t able to bring him down. I can’t believe we haven’t seen an offer for Cal, yet. He plays some of Wisconsin’s toughest competition, he has the size, the strength, enough athleticism, and has the potential position versatility that schools like. I have to think that an offer is close. Check him out! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11302275/607c6383a018ca1344e615ef">Cal’s Junior Season</a> <strong>Connor Roloff, 5’10" 185- Cedarburg</strong> <em>Season Stats: 999 Rushing Stats, 8 TDs</em> Next up is the All Region selection out of Cedarburg. Connor is a compact athlete that has proven he can make things happen out in space just as well as he can play between the tackles. His ball carrier vision allows him to easily find even the smallest running lanes to burst through, and he does a great job of always moving forward when he has the ball in his hands. I also came away from his tape impressed with his game speed. He doesn’t have game breaking speed, but he is so decisive and is able to accelerate out of his cuts so quickly that it looks like he is playing faster than he is. Give me a kid that plays faster than he times every day of the week. That’s this kid. I’m surprised he hasn’t posted any interest or offers. I believe the D3 level should be all over him, and maybe some D2s as well. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11404304/5fbc74acd45e9c09b447f944">Connor’s Junior Season</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118528" first="Darrick" last="Hill"], 5’9" 185- Stoughton</strong> <em>Season Stats: 638 Rushing Yds, 6 TDs</em> Darrick really broke out this past spring season, and it looks like it is going to start getting him the attention his talent deserves. He hasn’t received an offer, but he has recently visited Loras College and Platteville this past month. Those would be perfect fits for his talent along with really any other D3 program in the area. Hill is strong on and off the field. He has posted maxes of 405 on squat, and 280 on bench while also running a 4.66 40. That strength and speed are packed into a smaller frame, but don’t let that fool you. Hill has no problem playing with power when he needs to. Darrick is at his absolute best when he can get out in space. The speed allows him to generate large chunks of yards, and he has the lateral agility to make defenders miss while maintaining his top speed. A lot of programs should start looking into Darrick’s tape if they are in need of a playmaker out of the backfield. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11164056/6099f780160082095c437608">Darrick’s Junior Season</a>