Dynamic 2023 RBs Set For A Massive Send Off

We’re looking at the 2023 class today and specifically, the RB position again. There’s so much talent in the state of Indiana that has been underlooked for years and we’re doing the best we can to alleviate that problem! These guys can play and I’m excited to dive into their tape! [player_tooltip player_id="107290" first="Drew" last="Wheat"] - Center Grove - RB - 5’10" 160lbs Wheat is someone who I think catches defenses off guard. I thought I knew what to expect coming in with his tape, but I was wrong. I saw the accolades and stats but for whatever reason, didn’t expect the speed I saw immediately. Don’t get me wrong, Wheat isn’t the fastest player I’ve come across, but he never gets run down. Not only is he fast enough to outrun pretty much everyone, if someone does begin to catch up to him, but Wheat is also smart enough of a runner to pick up his feet and make the diving attempt much harder by going high knees. It is very elementary and something RBs are taught on day 1, but you’d be shocked how often that’s the first trait to go out the window. To be that naturally disciplined, that’s such an advantage. Wheat also likes to get North and South immediately and doesn’t waste much movement. He’s able to get small, shoot through some small holes, and be on his merry way downfield. There are times when his footwork can get a bit wide in the hole, but it’s almost always after a big run. Sometimes you can’t help but get excited and juiced, but it can’t impact the mechanics of the next play. Wheat is very light on his feet and his heel never sees the ground. Right now, I’d love to see him add a few pounds of muscle and then work on some contact balance. There are times he can be brought down when you think he should get away. However, despite everything we just talked about, Wheat’s vision may be his best trait by a mile. He’s able to see things before they develop or as they’re happening. He’s almost always able to find the cutback lane in the second level and then has the lateral agility to get there without losing any speed. Wheat also has good hands and comes out of the backfield from time to time to be a threat out of the backfield. Wheat does so many things well and he’s arguably one of the better backs in the state the way it stands now. He’s got a year left and if it’s as good as his past few seasons, Wheat is going to be a prized recruit in Indiana. [player_tooltip player_id="107267" first="Robert" last="Lamar"] - Clarksville - RB - 5’10" Lamar is one of the more dynamic guys in the entire state. Not only did he lead the state in rushing last year, he completely rewrote his school’s record book. In 2021, Lamar rushed for over 2,000 yards on the ground. To be specific, Lamar had 2,222 rushing yards and 27 TDs while making it look easy. While his weight remains a mystery at the moment, he appears to be well built. He’s thick enough to run in between the tackles, break tackles, and then has really good contact balance. Lamar is a guy who is always creating yards and his big runs typically come from him weaving and buzzing through the defense. If his first read isn’t there, Lamar almost always looks to bounce the ball to the outside. He’s usually able to get to the edge and start making guys miss. Lamar can cut on a dime and change direction really easily. Lamar also has really decent acceleration and top-end speed. I don’t think he’s the fastest guy to walk the earth, but he’s absolutely dynamic enough to break 80-yard runs. Right now, my biggest critique is that sometimes he lets the ball hang too loose from his body. I would like to see him keep that ball high and tight because, at the next level, that could be an issue. Lamar’s running style is very similar to Saquon Barkley. He likes to bounce the ball outside and use his creativity and athleticism to do some crazy-looking stuff. While I’m not sure how good his hands are, they’re good enough to bring in the simple routes like swings, screens, and angle routes. Clarksville’s offense seems fairly simple. Get the ball in Lamar’s hands and see what he can do. To be honest, it’s just best to get the Special Teams unit ready for the XP when he touches the ball in space. I think the most exciting thing is that in terms of playing the Running Back position, Lamar is still a bit raw. Once his footwork in the hole and pass protection catch up, it’s over for opposing defenses. He does everything naturally very easy and has the instincts you need to be successful. Lamar’s ceiling is as high as he wants it to be and if he lands in the right collegiate program and develops, we could see him on Sundays. Deshaun Lowe - West Vigo - RB/WR - 5’9" 160lbs Lowe has some of the most ridiculous tape out there. It’s so good at the start you can’t help but chuckle. There’s a player he crossed up so hard that rumor has it he’s still down on the field trying to get up. Lowe has some of the slickest agility you’ll come across. Typically, you say he can cut on a dime. I’d be more comfortable saying he could cut on a single grain of rice and change direction immediately. West Vigo understands his best ability is with the ball in space and on the move. They move him around in the slot, in the backfield, and outwide. Wherever he is, the defenses need to be worried about him getting the ball. Once it’s in his hands, he’s dang near impossible to bring down. While he doesn’t break the most tackles, you have to catch him first. He’s slippery and has a stronger upper body than I think defenses anticipate. His hands are soft and he always watches the ball all the way in. He’s great at contested catches and has really good ball skills at the point of attack. While he isn’t the tallest or heaviest guy on the field, it doesn’t impact his play or force him off the field in certain situations. He’s as tough as nails and will take a shot over the middle and bounce right back up and get the handoff on the next carry. I’d like to see him get more consistent reps at RB next fall just so his vision can keep developing. His vision isn’t bad by any means, but from what I was able to see, he gets "in the zone" in the backfield much quicker. Good things happen when he’s touching the ball and is heavily involved. As versatile and athletic as Lowe is, it’s hard to imagine he won’t get eyes from schools at both positions and will be able to pick the best fit for his future. [player_tooltip player_id="107222" first="Brad" last="Gagnon"] - McCutcheon - RB - 5’10" 195lbs Gagnon is a really decent athlete who is best when he’s able to be a 1-cut runner. He likes to be around a zone scheme and stick his foot in the ground, make that hard cut, and get going North immediately. He runs behind his pads and knows when to ride the blocker’s hip and to cut loose from him. He’s able to get small through the hole and explode out. His center of gravity is really decent and because of that, has pretty good contact balance and is able to fend off defenders if they come in too high and don’t properly wrap up. He’s fairly strong and is able to fight for the tough yards when he has to or needs a big conversion. While he’s willing to stick his nose in the hole and pick up a blitzing LB, he needs a bit of work to clean it up and be more polished. He isn’t far off and shows the grit you like. Gagnon also has decent hands and is able to be a threat out of the backfield, but isn’t used as such very often. McCutcheon likes to get the ball in his hands in designed runs and see what he’s able to do. The answer is usually quite a bit and only gets better as the game goes on. While he is a decent size, since Gagnon is a powerful runner, I would like to see him bulk up just a touch to help his playstyle. He’s not afraid of contact and is typically stronger than the defender he comes across so he can win those 1 on 1’s in the hole. His legs are very powerful and look like tree trunks which makes him even harder to bring down. Gagnon is tough, physical, and yet still dynamic enough to be a gamechanger on every down. He’s someone who can wear down defenders as the game goes on which is why he gets stronger. It gives him the confidence that RBs feed on. After this upcoming fall, if he continues developing as he has been, I’d be shocked if he didn’t have a ton of offers come his way. [player_tooltip player_id="39066" first="Caleb" last="Marcus"] - Brownsburg - RB - 5’11" 175lbs Marcus is a really fluid athlete who is best with the ball in his hands. Brownsburg will move him all over the field, send him in motion, and keep him in the backfield all on the same drive. He’s best when he’s stressing the edges of defenses and making them be disciplined in their gaps. Marcus has really good vision and is almost always able to find a lane, even when there’s nothing there, and can create a little bit of positive yardage on every down. I will say, I would like to see him bulk up some. His legs and feet are so quick that sometimes his contact balance can struggle. It would help him be more consistent deep in the trenches and improve his broken tackle rate. However, Marcus has no issue making guys look silly. He has some of the best agility you’ll come across and has some of the fastest feet you’ll see. He’s dangerous in space and is most dangerous when he gets to the second level. That’s when Marcus is at his best. With his speed and agility, he’s always picking up bigger chunks than you’d think and can turn the corner. He’s got the ability to tight rope the sideline while turning the corner and not losing any speed. As good as he is at carrying the ball, he’s just as good of a receiver. He doesn’t run a ton of routes, but the ones he does run are rather clean for a Slotback utility weapon like him. His hands are good, he isn’t going to drop the ball, and is able to fight through the contact at the catch point and bring it down. When Brownsburg runs a screen with him, that’s when the defenses really need to hold their breath. Once he gets the ball outside of the tackle box with even a single blocker in front of him, he’s really dangerous. I would like to see him become more consistent in pass protection but it isn’t something holding him back. Marcus is really explosive and fun to watch. By next season’s end, I anticipate Marcus having a decent amount of offers and being highly recruited.