2023 Sleeper Indiana RBs
We’re staying in the 2023 class today looking specifically at RBs who should be getting more love. These guys have the talent and abilities to make impacts at the next level. We’re taking a look at who they are and…
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Continue ReadingWe’re staying in the 2023 class today looking specifically at RBs who should be getting more love. These guys have the talent and abilities to make impacts at the next level. We’re taking a look at who they are and what they can do moving forward.
Angelo St Louis – Evansville North – RB – 5’11” 175lbs
St Louis is a twitchy athlete who is just starting to get a glimpse of how good he can be. He is someone who has very fast feet and keeps them moving. He’s able to spot gaps, shift laterally, and hit the gas. He’s got decent acceleration and is able to get to full speed right away. He’s someone who can shoot through gaps and make guys miss. He’s able to get small and squeeze through gaps as they are closing as well. As fast as his feet are, his eyes are just as fast and his feet keep up with his eyes. He’s able to cut on a dime and has elite lateral agility. I will say, there are times he can cross feet through the hole which will trip him up. There are also times when he can get moving a bit too fast and start leaning forward which messes up his balance and he’ll stumble. If he’s able to work on having a bit lower center of gravity, that should clean right up. In terms of contact balance, there are times where St Louis has demonstrated the ability to absorb blows and have defenders bounce off of him and there are other times where he gets caught leaning forward a bit too much and can be brought down. St Louis has shown he’s a capable receiver and could be good in pass protection, but would likely need some coaching up. St Louis is someone you can turn around and just hand the ball off to as many times as you need to and good things will happen. He’s someone I’m really excited to see his senior year because if he can put it all together, he could be one of the better RBs in Indiana.
Ronald Baskerville – Warren Central – RB – 5’9″ 185lbs
Baskerville is another twitchy back who is best when he’s able to make something happen. He’s got the speed to bounce it to the outside and the feet speed to stay in the interior gaps and find the cutback lanes there. He’s got a great change of direction and is able to stop in an instant and redirect while only losing minimal speed and momentum. Baskerville runs with a lower center of gravity and will put both hands on the ball as he braces for impact. My biggest critique right now with him is his footwork before he gets the handoff is all over the place. One minute he’s tight and controlled, the next minute, usually after a big run, he’ll start to get a bit erratic with his footwork while taking the handoff. He’s someone who gets better and more confident as the game goes on and is at his best when the lights are brightest. Baskerville is able to break a decent amount of tackles because his upper body strength and contact balance are decent. When he gets to the second level, watch out. He’s got the speed to turn the corner and be gone or he’ll make the defender look silly. While he is a decent pass catcher, they don’t use him much in the passing game. He’s also a very willing blocker in the run game when he doesn’t get the ball. Baskerville has very good vision and the speed to match. He’s able to see lanes before they develop and bounce to them and hit the gas. Baskerville is primed to have a massive year, and if he does, I can see him having more offers than he’ll know what to do with.
Jeremiah Berry – Pike – RB – 6’0″ 195lbs
Berry is a human wrecking ball and when he gets going, watch out. He’s a thick, strong, and bruising back who likes to lay the wood. For a guy his size, he’s got really good agility and decent top-end speed. As big and as strong of an RB as Berry is, he’s just as good in between the tackles. He’s got decent vision and is able to bounce the ball to the outside or find another cutback lane and get to the second level. When he gets the ball in his hands, he’s an immediate North and South runner if he can. He’s got very strong legs, an equally strong upper body, and is able to fend off defenders left and right. He’s not someone you’re typically going to bring down on your own. What typically happens is a guy latches on and if Berry isn’t able to throw him off, then the reinforcements arrive and bring him down. To bring him down and tackle him, it’s typically a group effort. Berry has some of the best contact balance in the state and guys bounce off of him like a bug on a windshield. When he arrives at a pile or gets stuffed, his legs keep churning and he will earn every inch. While Berry doesn’t catch the ball often, he can. He’s got soft hands and is able to watch the ball and bring it in with both hands. He’s someone who can be really good in pass protection as well but likely needs some work. Berry is also able to get small and fit through some gaps you wouldn’t expect him to. Berry is a ton of fun and is someone I can’t wait to see more of. While there are a few areas to improve, I’d bet by the time the season ends next fall, Berry will have more offers than he could have dreamed of.
Derron Hazzard – Riverton Parke – RB – 5’11” 175lbs
Hazzard is an intriguing prospect who probably isn’t getting the love he deserves. While Hazzard isn’t the most explosive player to walk the earth, he’s a very sound player who doesn’t make many mistakes and is always where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. He’s a patient runner who likes to make 1 cut and get North and South. When he gets to the second level, he’s got much better speed than defenders anticipate and is able to rip off big runs regularly. Hazzard is someone who is able to make quick cuts and has a great change of direction. He’s someone who is able to see a hole forming and hit it before the defense is able to fill the gap. He will keep his feet churning when he hits the hole and is able to grind out tough yards. Hazzard is also versatile and is used as a Slot WR from time to time. He’s got decent ball skills and is able to win contested catches downfield. While he doesn’t run the fullest route tree, it’s clear they trust him coming out of the backfield as a weapon. He’s able to understand leverage and how to get open. Good things happen when he touches the ball. Heck, last year he dropped back into a 5-step drop and threw a touchdown over the middle of the field. Their offense does a good job getting him the ball and getting him the ball in space to see what he can do. Over the next year, if he’s able to develop and put the work in, he’s going to be able to pick the school with the offer that best fits his skillset.