Best Thing on Film- Runningback Edition

As a former college football coach watching prospects film is part of daily life.  Even though I have moved on from college coaching the itch to watch and evaluate film has not changed one bit.  Coming off of the Quarterback evaluations I did, as well as the looking at GRIT players I wanted to get back to looking at and evaluating film and talking about what my favorite part was.  I hope everyone has had a Great Easter Sunday and without further explanation, I hope you enjoy my favorite thing on film about high school runningbacks from he great state of Minnesota! [player_tooltip player_id="120956" first="Caden" last="Spence"]- (Zimmerman High School) 6’1 190 Lbs. C/o 2023. @SpenceCaden A lot of long runs is what you will see when you put on Caden’s film.  Obviously he is a talented kid but you have to give credit to the scheme as well as all his teammates and how good of a job they do blocking for leverage.  He is what I would call a slasher, some would use the term north/south runner.  Caden doesn’t waste a lot of effort in the side to side game, he has a good understanding of the blocking in front of him and when he puts his foot in the ground he can go.  <strong>Best thing on film-</strong> at about the 25 second mark of the highlight he is running down the left sideline and the defender has a good angle to force him out or tackle him.  Understanding this Caden leans back inside like he is going to cut back which freezes the defenders feet and then accelerates to the endzone on a play he should have been tackled. &nbsp; Malachi Belmares- (South St. Paul High School) 5’10 205 Lbs. C/o 2023. @Malachi23476281 Malachi lists himself as a RB but he really has the ability and the build to be a combination back.  Combination backs are guys who can play both fullback and tailback and having that type of skill set can add a very nice layer of complexity to an offense and give defensive coordinators struggles when they are trying to determine personnel of the offense.  He is physical, has good contact balance and understands how to use his weapons (His off hand while he is carrying the ball).  <strong>Best thing on film-</strong> at the 2:47 mark he is playing fullback on a outside zone rep, he does a great job of striking the defender with his hands and uncoiling his hips to the point where his opponent’s feet actually come off the ground.  He runs his feet and does a great job creating space for the tailback behind him. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="208274" first="Grayson" last="Spronk"]- (Prior Lake High School) 6’1 195 Lbs. C/o 2023. @GraysonSpronk Grayson is a very physical football player and because football is about being physical that is what I enjoy the most when watching his tape.  He rarely goes down when the first man gets to him and he is always continuing to pump his legs and run his feet.  This is another kid who I think is sturdy enough to possibly project as a combination back at the next level.  He shows enough catching the ball and in the blocking game as well to be a multi-tool player.  <strong>Best thing on film- </strong>I love the rep at 2:41 although it probably isn’t his best run because the film is being taken from the tight shot you get a great perspective on how good his feet are as he makes a sudden jump cut leaving the defender with nothing to tackle but his churning legs. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="19005" first="Love" last="Adebayo"]- (St. Thomas Academy) 5’8 192 Lbs. C/o 2023. @LoveAdebayo1 At 5’8 Love plays with a low center of gravity and is extremely hard to tackle.  He has good feet and is one of the shiftier backs I have seen on film this cycle.  What I enjoy most about his game is the sheer will he plays with.  It is as if he doesn’t believe anyone can tackle him and he attacks defenders with a relentless physical nature.  He is going to be a stud at the next level as he continues to mature.  <strong>Best thing on film-</strong> there is a lot to like, however, go to the 1:15 mark and you will see all you need to see about how determined and physical of a runner he is as he breaks 8 tackles before it takes 3 players to finally wrestle him down. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="112070" first="Levi" last="Teetzel"]- (Hutchinson High School).5’11 200 Lbs. C/o 2023. @TeetzelLevi Levi is an outstanding two way player with skill-set that makes him available for many different positions.  In Hutch’s offense he does a great job displaying vision and very good feet particularly in their gap run schemes.  Again, I really like the tight views where you can see him work side to side and set up blockers before he gets out in the open.  When he does find a seam he rarely seems to be caught which makes for a lot of long runs on tape.  <strong>Best thing on film-</strong> Endzone shot, counter rep at the 1:11 mark, Levi takes the hand off and follows the second puller.  He patiently waits for the blocker to be in place and then helps sync the block by making a quick inside stutter before going outside and off to the races.  The rep shows patience, as well as a deeper understanding of where the next man he needs to beat is and how to set him up!