Texas Senior Sleepers: Running Backs

Jake Lemming

August 11, 2021 @ 01:01 PM

We looked at the top 2022 sleeper running backs from around the state of Texas. Look for these young men to have yet another big season this fall for their respective programs. Here’s who you need to know! <hr /> <em><strong>D.K. Hammond, 6’, 170, King</strong></em> A perennial playmaker who can get it done at both wideout and running back. Hammond is a smooth operator and shows crafty route-running ability. Once he sees a seam open up, he quickly accelerates and gets north & south. He keeps his feet churning on contact and will effortlessly run through arm tackles. When King needed a big play, it seemed as if D.K. was always a viable option. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11871260/5fa00de55798210774956b15" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="131364" first="Makhilyn" last="Young"], 5’10", 180, Midland Lee</em></strong> To me, he’s the most talented prospect on this list, based on balance, body control, and a mixture of speed & strength. He can pound the rock inside and get you the tough yards on downhill runs. However, he can also get to the perimeter in an instant and create chunk plays if you don’t set the edge. Young is such a fun prospect to watch on tape, and I think is a no-brainer FBS caliber back. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11460540/5ff01a7523526714845c2229" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <em><strong>Cameron King, 5’9", 165, Cypress Park</strong></em> A valued scatback that can split out in the slot and provide a mismatch on outside linebackers. King’s wiggle is filthy in the open field, and it was not uncommon to see him spin a defender around. He’s a natural hands catcher with overall impressive contact balance. He shows good build-up speed and is more than capable of tracking the vertical ball downfield. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10318889/5fae8e129a913d0b6452946b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>     <em><strong>Deiontray Hill, 6’, 175, Pewitt</strong></em> Hill is constantly looking for contact and is rarely brought down by the first tackler. He shows solid change of direction and pristine vision to find a hole. He’s at his best on quick hitters that require him to get vertical almost immediately. This is a downright physical back who will literally drag defenders with him to pick up extra yards. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12292621/601c29ca578de1092c6d1762" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <em><strong>Brysen Kerby, 5’10", Coahoma</strong></em> A sneaky-quick back with plenty of production behind him in 2020. Kerby uses his strong lower half and genuine hip mobility to stop and cut against the grain. His value as an a gap runner is high as he’s patient to the hole before bursting through a window. Kerby has a variety of attributes that can translate to the next level, none more than his play strength and ability to get skinny through a hole. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8391515/5fdcf8aff56a280980ab852d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131357" first="De’Monte" last="Seymore"]’, 5’8", 190, Manvel</strong></em> This is a compact back that has a natural low pad level and constantly finishes his runs falling forward. Seymour’s jump cuts are so subtle yet so effective against tacklers. He has enough speed to split two defenders and can make you pay if you don’t bring him down in space. His lower leg strength is pretty filthy, as defenders commonly bounced right off him. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11559887/5ff688acb534e617b46dbe39" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>