Part II: 2024 Northern California Running Backs

Photo: Lamar Radcliffe Twitter

Paul Gregorian February 24, 2022 @ 12:19 AM

[player_tooltip player_id="115422" first="Lamar" last="Radcliffe"], Sacramento HS Radcliffe has established himself as one of the top backs in the state within the 2024 class and put together a very impressive second season for one of the top teams in the SJS. A low to the ground compact runner, he has a strong build and runs hard behind his pads with natural lean and looks for contact through the hole. For his size, he is very light on his feet with good short area quickness and foot speed, while able to break ankle tackles with strong body control and balance. More of a vertical runner, he his the hole quickly and can consistently gain yards after contact with his bruising running style. Holding offers from SJSU and Colorado State, more should follow as we enter the Spring and Fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="273580" first="Charles" last="Williams"], Marin Catholic HS Williams had a true breakout Sophomore season for the state champion Wildcats and is one of the more fluid and natural athletes across the Bay Area. An elite back with impressive return ability, he is more of an upright runner with tremendous open field speed and is a true burner at the third level with the ability to make big plays every time he touches the ball. With the ball in his hands, he cuts quickly with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field and has cutback ability when needed with good vision and start stop capabilities. Also able to naturally catch the ball out of the backfield from various different angles, he is a versatile player out of the backfield that is a FBS caliber talent.   [player_tooltip player_id="273574" first="Dion" last="Coleman"], Chico HS [player_tooltip player_id="273574" first="Dion" last="Coleman"] is coming off an injury, but that did not stop him from having an electric second season for Chico High. On tape, Coleman is a very physical back with a smooth running style that gets vertical quickly and can make defends miss in the hole while showing strong lateral agility and waits for his blocks to develop. Also effective in the pass game, he can easily break arm tackles with a strong lower body and control while also able to gain the edge when needed and bounce it outside with his second level speed and natural burst. He will once again be a top back in the region as a Junior.   Other Top Backs... [player_tooltip player_id="147753" first="Jordan" last="Colbert"], Buhach Colony HS [player_tooltip player_id="273655" first="Micah" last="Avery"], Clayton Valley Charter HS [player_tooltip player_id="273658" first="Frank" last="Cusano"], Granite Bay HS Joseph Latu, Serra HS Chase Smith, Merced HS