Who’s paving the way for Indiana’s top-5 rushing leaders?
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It’s been a banner year for many running backs in the state of Indiana, but it’s not always their work that needs to be highlighted. The big boys up front deserve just as much credite as the backs and I…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been a banner year for many running backs in the state of Indiana, but it’s not always their work that needs to be highlighted. The big boys up front deserve just as much credite as the backs and I wanted to take a look a which one’s have been making the most impact for their ball carriers. Here are the standout blockers for the state’s top five rushers.
2023 Clarksville RB Robert Lamar Robert Lamar 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Clarksville | 2023 State IN (5’10” and 180lbs) @RobertLamarJr1
Season stats: 141 carries for 1,356 yds 14 TDs
2024 Clarksville OL Logan Craig (6’ and 237lbs) @GeneralsFball
A big frame although a bit on the shorter side, if Craig doesn’t get taller he will most likely end up on the interior line. He does a great job sealing off the edge for Lamar. Craig does need to improve his footwork, but solid strength allows him to get away with it. I’d like to see him finish blocks as well but there is room to grow in Craig’s game.
2022 Western RB Dylan Bryant (6’2” and 170lbs) @dylan6bryant
Season stats: 163 carries for 1,297 yds 18 TDs
2022 Western OL Rhett Berryman (6’1” and 245lbs) @rhett_berryman
Although undersized, Berryman does a great job of moving his man off the line of scrimmage. He uses great leg drive to push them back. Berryman is solid is pass protection as well, but he’ll have to learn the nuisances of playing on the interior at the next level. Berryman would be a bit of a project but if he’s able to add on weight and strength, he could be a solid contributor down the line. He probably doesn’t end up on this side however, as Berryman has much more upside as a defensive end.
2023 New Prairie RB Noah Mungia Noah Mungia 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB New Prairie | 2023 State IN (5’8” and 195lbs) @MungiaNoah
Season stats: 169 carries for 1,207 yds 13 TDs
2022 New Prairie OL Hunter Whitenack Hunter Whitenack 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL New Prairie | 2022 State IN (6’8” and 330lbs) @HunterWhitenack
The Illinois commit is an absolute load, lining up as a tight end occasionally in power run plays. He’s extremely wide and moves well, strong with his hands and very good feet. Smart and agile, it’s easy to see why the Illini wanted Whitnack on their roster.
2022 New Prairie OL Jacob Meyers (6’5” and 240lbs) @JacobMeyers
Although Meyers doesn’t have the weight currently needed to play tackle, he’s got the length and frame to do so. He’s very athletic, using his long arms to push defenders out of the way. Great bend and good footwork, Meyers switches sides with Whitnack on a regular basis, so he could end up playing on either side. A great project with plenty of upside, just because Meyers doesn’t look the part right now doesn’t mean he won’t later.
2022 New Prairie IOL Adam Borror (5’11” and 296lbs) @adamborror8
The guard isn’t ideal size but that doesn’t stop him from doing his job effectively. He’s got a wide frame what Borror uses well, often leading the pulling efforts of the line. When he’s not clearing a path for Mungia, the get off from the line is impressive. He often stands up opposing lineman, driving them off the line. Borror has the talent to play at the next level, as a DII type of prospect.
2023 New Prairie OL Connor Pflughaupt (6’2” and 225lbs) @NewPrairieFB
With a veteran offensive line group, Pflughaupt doesn’t get much run with the varsity squad. The few plays that I did see, he was impressive however, so he’s a player to keep an eye on for next year as he continues to develop.
2022 Valparaiso RB Hayden Vinyard @H_vinyard21
Season stats: 153 carries for 1,203 yds 16 TDs
2022 Valparaiso OL Zach Barrasas (6’ and 315lbs) @ZBarrasas
The big frame allows Barrasas to battle 1-tech tackles fairly easily, standing them up and essentially taking them out of the play. He’s powerful at the point of attack, strong punch helps out as well. The center during one play against Penn, blocked his man with his right arm and then saw a rushing linebacker and stoned him with his left. A very impressive sequence from Barrasas. He does need to drop a few pounds to be more nimble, but his awareness and tenacity will make him a solid addition to the Claremont McKenna roster.
2022 Valparaiso OL Michael Boone (6’4” and 300lbs) @michael_boone74
Solid in his pass protection sets, Boone uses his long reach to keep defends away from his body. As for his run blocking, he does a great job getting to the second level, sealing off his edge to create running lanes. Boone is strong at the point of attack, does well with driving his feet. Currently he is uncommitted and getting plenty of interest from DI programs like Northern Illinois, Drake and Dayton. Now is the time to jump on Boone and offer him.
2023 Oak Hill Athlete Kyle Turanchick Kyle Turanchick 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Oak Hill | 2023 State IN (6’ and 180lbs) @kturanchick12
Season stats: 161 carries for 1,192 yds 19 TDs
2023 Oak Hill OL Wyatt Strange (6’4’ and 235lbs) @wyattstrange85
Extremely strong off the snap, Strange uses his size for leverage to move defensive linemen. He does a great job of sealing off the edge, creating big running lanes for Turanchick. Strange is powerful, but has a lot of room to grow. His frame is solid, although he’ll projects to the inside at the next level. Since Oak Hill runs the wing-T offense, Strange will need a lot of work in pass protection, but the athleticism is there to pick it up quickly.