2023 Class Under The Radar Watch: RBs

The 2023 class is filled with much talent at almost every position. The running back position is one of the deepest in the class and has some players that are special. These three running backs are underrated and not being talked about much, but deserve praise for the seasons we expect them to have. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="183632" first="JoJo" last="Bivins"], Barnegat</strong> One of the bigger backs in the class, his game is very flashy. He has a tall long frame for a running back and his tape showed that he’s one of the more agile backs in the class. He possesses legit home run speed and the ability to make defenders miss an open space. His highlight tape is one of the more exciting ones to watch. Gives you shades of Reggie Bush the way he’s a long strider and has runs where he reverses field, but not as dynamic as a pass-catcher. Bivins is a good prospect and will most certainly have D1 colleges on his trail by the time his season is over. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">B’s Joseph Bivins w/ 10-yard TD run. PAT failed. 6-0 Barnegat <a href="https://twitter.com/AsburyParkPress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AsburyParkPress</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/APPSportsDesk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@APPSportsDesk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APPSports?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/jtwRvaRakk">pic.twitter.com/jtwRvaRakk</a></p> — Sherlon Christie (@sherlonapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sherlonapp/status/1456763548349177861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="215740" first="Angelo" last="Rodriguez"], Tartans</strong> Has the prototypical running back build at 5’10 and a thick frame at 210. He’s one the best all-around back in terms of style. He is able to run between the tackles or execute outside runs. He has a myriad of ways that he can win in one on one situations. Can run with a physical style; able to run with good contact balance and doesn’t go down on first contact, has great hips and lower body strength to keep his legs churning and moving. What specifically separates him is his burst and speed in the hole and in the open field. There’s only one running back in this class that has the speed and burst comparable to his. He hits the hole very quickly, a very decisive runner who can get downhill quickly.  He has the home-run speed to get past any defender. Does a great job of finishing runs ending up in the endzone. There arent many running backs in this class that move like him. The athletic traits he was blessed with will have many colleges salivating for a chance to recruit him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="181901" first="Kyon" last="Simonson"], Hillside</strong> Moves more like a wide receiver than a running back but in the age of San Fransico 49ers playmaker Deebo Samuel there’s a created market of players who can possess both skill sets. He stands 6’1 200lbs has a very physical nature to his run style and has more of a "make you miss skillset". He’s a long strider who is very agile in the open field. Consistently makes the defenders miss due to exceptional contact balance. Often times drags two or three defenders while running and is a load to tackle in space or one on one. If there is one knock to his game it is that he doesn’t possess that high-end speed that you would like from a runningback often times doesn’t finish runs with his speed and gets tracked down from behind. As a result, would love for him to market himself as an ATH instead of a running back only. As previously mentioned a market has been created for players who can run and catch the ball from the backfield or out wide. He possesses the ability to force missed tackles consistently which is a trait that is transferrable to higher levels of football. He has many traits and tools that will suggest he can be a consistent playmaker at higher levels of football. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">After a Mu Parkman interception, [player_tooltip player_id="181901" first="Kyon" last="Simonson"] goes 44-yards on Hillside’s 1st offensive play and the game was on for the Comets <a href="https://twitter.com/kysimonson_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kysimonson_</a> <a href="https://t.co/mxrs7A4FZB">pic.twitter.com/mxrs7A4FZB</a></p> — Marcus A. Borden (@bordenfb4ever) <a href="https://twitter.com/bordenfb4ever/status/1457096622987517967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; &nbsp;