Beyond the Numbers: RBs part 1

Yards Per Carry Evaluating High School running backs is challenging for a few reasons. Some guys are the product of a great scheme or great blocking. I know you shouldn’t downgrade someone for being surrounded by great support, we should all be so lucky, but some of that success isn’t the running back. Some guys get 25+ carries a game, and good for them but some teams have a lot of mouths to feed when it comes to playing time. The Backs on those teams have to make the most of the opportunities they get and that is what this article is about. In order to make the list you had to have at least 10 carries a game and then over 7 yards per carry. Then I looked at the film. I’m looking for elite traits; things that make a scout go hunting for your coach’s number. &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="206981" first="Damon" last="Phillips"], Sr., East Orange</span></strong> 68 car, 716 yds, 10.5 ypc. 10 TDs Damon is quick. Ankle breaking, having defensive coach screaming, “How’d you miss that tackle?”, type quick. Damon has the vision to set up blocks and cut back against the pursuit angles of the defense. He is also has a great combination of strength and balance, allowing him to stay on his feet and run through tackles for yards after contact. He sets up his blocks well, using his excellent burst to get through small seams and get to the linebacker level. Damon is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield and a capable pass blocker, providing East Orange everything you need in a premier running back. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10888815/Damon-Phillips">https://www.hudl.com/profile/10888815/Damon-Phillips</a> &nbsp; <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jaedyn Stewart, Sr., Delsea</span></strong> 63 car, 711 yds, 11.3 ypc, 9 TDs Jaedyn is listed at 5’10, 185 lbs but he plays much bigger than that. His film shows him consistently running through arm tackles and dragging opponents for extra yards, often taking multiple defenders to bring him down. Delsea is a Wing T program, which means they pound the rock and are good at doing it but make no mistake. Jaedyn isn’t just a product of a system. He’s got the speed to turn the corner and take it the distance as well. You don’t have over 10 yards per carry without having some wheels. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11632040/Jaedyn-Stewart">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11632040/Jaedyn-Stewart</a> &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="181958" first="Brandon" last="Boria"], Jr., Cherokee 91 Car, 875 yds, 9.6 ypc, 12 TDs Brandon plays with great vision and agility. He has a great offensive line, but I notice he’s improved in how he sets up his blocks. Last year, he relied on the hole being where it was supposed to be and bursting through it. He still hits the hole hard but I see more patience in his style now, using his great footwork and aiming points to cut back and gain extra yards. His signature game was against rival Shawnee HS, where he had an impressive 345 yds and 5 TD’s. He ran very physical in that game pushing the pile and sometimes running clean over defenders. Glad to see they’re feeding him the ball this year and really taking advantage of what he can do. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12627832/Brandon-Boria">https://www.hudl.com/profile/12627832/Brandon-Boria</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;