Level Up 7on7 Tryouts: Running Back Standouts

<strong>IOWA--</strong> We take a look at five of the top running backs we got to watch at the Level Up Tryouts in West Des Moines and Iowa City! Note every prospect on this list I have graded as a college football prospect based on their excellent skillsets. Find out who they are below! <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Running Backs</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="247968" first="Charlie" last="Cross"] | Running Back | Waukee | 2024</strong> Charlie started off his Saturday afternoon by showing a lot of athleticism in the early drills. His ability to elevate his hips to a very high level in early drills is what made him standout early in the tryout. He also showed a quick twitch when moving laterally which really elevated his stock on that Saturday. When rolling the tape on Charlie’s tape, I cannot watch enough of how well this young man blocks, as he hits on a solid contact level and has very forceful hands for his age to use that contact to take the defender to the turf. He also shows a well-put together frame at 6’1 185 that causes some match-up problems catching the ball out the backfield with all that size. I think he grades out as more of a tight end prospect as long as he can add some add some size in the weight room in the coming years. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAuXb">So Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="246740" first="Abu" last="Sama"] | Running Back | Southeast Polk | 2023</strong> <img class="alignnone wp-image-261501" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/IMG_3967-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="188" height="250" /> Abu was one of the top dogs in the 40 yard dash on Saturday running a 4.59 which was the fastest rep of the day. He certainly looks more cut-up from when I watched him at the Level Up tryout last year, as he looked more physical from year to year when watching his 1on1 reps this time around. Watching Abu’s film this young man sheds off contact so well you almost feel bad for the defenders. He is super elusive on his cuts and will take a high level of contact to bring down to the turf. To put it into perspective, It took until just over the 2 minute mark on his film for someone to finally make a tackle on Abu before he got into the end zone, which is extremely mind-blowing. I have a gut-feeling the Power 5 Iowa schools are going to have a good fight over this kid, as there is just so much to love about his overall game at running back and his dedication in the weight room too. 1st Team All-State as a junior at Southeast Polk. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2FnuGr">Jr Tape</a> <strong>Henrik Nimley | Running Back | Valley | 2024</strong> <img class="alignnone wp-image-261496" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/IMG_3988-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="188" height="250" /> When I watched Henrik on Sunday, there was a lot to like about the athleticism he brought to the table. Sometimes when I get a first eye on a prospect, I scan them on multiple reps to see if I see inconsistencies when it comes to this, but with Henrik he consistently showed that athleticism from all the times I got to watch him on Sunday. When it comes to his film, I feel he can develop a better stance when it comes to his runs, to get in a lower stance to create more instinctiveness in his cuts. He does show off some solid leverage when driving his hips forward for yards after contact. He certainly is consistent on his runs, as he will always roll with 5-6+ yards on nearly every play from scrimmage. Henrik has some development to put in over the coming years, but I do think he will be a solid college prospect when it’s all said and done. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GBd2k">So Tape </a> <strong>Kade Mullins | Running Back | Martensdale-St. Mary’s | 2024</strong> Kade was yet another impressive prospect from my weekend of scouting the Level Up tryout. I was really impressed with this young man burst out the gates in 1on1s as he showed a lot of explosiveness to get onto his route. I also liked his hands, as he brought in his fair share of tougher balls that were well-defended, but he found a way to make a play. Mullins is a bull on film that has no trouble beelining thru contact to find himself in the end zone. He also has loose hips that open up well when he needs to find a new direction. Watching his film, I just love how many times he eats up contact and continues he strong running ability. A 8-man prospect in Iowa, that I believe has next-level ability and what is excellent? He has two more years to prove himself even more. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/14862393/6192b8f5f31ce60af885d4ef">So Tape</a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="224740" first="Brady" last="Miller"] | Running Back | North Polk | 2023</strong> Yet another running back prospect that was explosive out the gates was, [player_tooltip player_id="224740" first="Brady" last="Miller"] of North Polk. He showed a heck of a lot of speed coming out of his stance and continued that trend not only in the early drills but in 1on1s as well. I love watching Brady’s vision on tape as he very instinctive on where he wants to go with the football and wastes no time with his speed trying to get there. He was another running back prospect on this list where it took over 2 minutes of watching his film for someone to finally tackle him outside of the end zone. Somehow was only ranked 3rd Team All-State as a junior, which surprises the heck out of me. Brady also is a solid route runner that can be used in the slot. He for sure is a scholarship level prospect in my eyes, and has allready gotten interest from the Division I and some from the Division II level. Yet another running back to watch out of North Polk. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/12885430/617871a6f560280ae0262c10">Jr Tape</a> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-6gpygo r-14gqq1x" data-testid="UserName"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l"> <div dir="auto"></div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1awozwy r-18u37iz r-dnmrzs"> <div dir="auto"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>