Top 10 Class of 2023 Running Backs in Orange County (Part 2)
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If you missed who was ranked 6-10 plus honorable mentions, click here to find out. 5. Owen Smith, El Modena Smith is shifty like some of the other running backs lower on this list but he is a little bigger.…
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5. Owen Smith, El Modena
Smith is shifty like some of the other running backs lower on this list but he is a little bigger. He is a solid athlete who can turn dead plays into positive yardage. Sometimes he is too eager to bounce runs to the outside, but against some teams, he has the speed to break those outside runs into long touchdowns. He is a good receiving back who will make you pay if you cover him man-to-man with an inside linebacker. El Modena finds lots of ways to get him the ball and can easily catch a defense in a mismatch or over-pursuing.
Postgame interview with Owen Smith of El Modena. 108 rushing yards and a sack as the Vanguards sneak past El Dorado. @ocvarsity @ELMOPrincipal @elmoROWDY @ElmoHSAthletics @elmodenafb pic.twitter.com/Sm8ST6NnTd
— Manny Alvarez (@MAlvarez02) October 2, 2021
4. Blake Allen, San Clemente
Allen is a 6-foot, 190-pound running back who has solid speed and runs downhill. San Clemente likes to establish the run early in games and Allen has the ability to run between the tackles and pick up yards after contact. San Clemente also loves to use him on wheel routes and swings when he is covered by an inside linebacker in man coverage which usually creates big plays. I saw him playing for the OC Elite passing tournament team earlier this year and he has solid hands and runs good routes. Allen also plays defense and is a rugby player which explains his ability to drive his feet through contact.
Blake Allen running hard for San Clemente, losing his helmet and still going on this 16 yard run. @Tritonfootball @_blake_allen23
Corona Del Mar leads 7-0, 3:20 2Q. pic.twitter.com/ObusGRQYYF
— South OC Sports (@SouthOCsports) September 11, 2021
3. Jake Foye Jake Foye 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Santa Margarita Catholic | 2023 State CA , Santa Margarita
Foye is a thick dude at 190 pounds and under 6 feet tall. He runs downhill and often takes advantage of cutback lanes, particular on zone runs. The weak side defensive end is unblocked and flies up the field to the quarterback which leaves a lane for the back to cut and make a big play. He is a good yards after contact guy who is very strong. His strength helps him as a blocker and while he isn’t a speedster, he is still pretty fast and can break big runs.
Hit 340 on bench today. Send all of the blitzing LB’s you want, they won’t be touching @jaxon2potter💪 @SMCHS_Football @CoachRouz @CoachKMac_ @embo85 @Coach_TimHolt @TheMatt_V @coachjimvert pic.twitter.com/OEjN6Xrj8b
— Jake Foye (@jake_foye42) March 5, 2022
2. Evan Sanders, Corona del Mar
Sanders is another short and muscular guy at 5-foot-7 and 195 pounds but is a little faster than Foye. He could be the focal point of the offense next season even though the Sea Kings always have a dominant passing attack with David Rasor David Rasor 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Corona Del Mar | 2023 State CA . CdM likes getting Sanders the ball in the screen game and on swings when there is a defensive mismatch. He runs hard with his knees high and can punish tacklers. He’s one of my favorite backs to watch and if he stays healthy, could be one of the top all-purpose yardage guys in the county.
CDM head coach @cdmoshea says that junior RB @evan_sanders22 has been playing like the Evan Sanders we all know and love over the past few weeks.
We'll see how far Sanders can carry the @CDMFOOTBALL offense when they take on Warren HS this Friday. pic.twitter.com/2qDAT4r9EN
— Sunset Rewind (@Sunset_Rewind) November 4, 2021
1. Nygel Osborne Nygel Osborne 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Millikan | 2023 State CA , Los Alamitos
Osborne is really fun to watch because he reads defenses so well and has burst when he gets through the second level. He was named MVP of the running backs at the Under Armour Next All American Camp last month and was beating nearly everyone in the 1on1 passing period. He is a patient runner and can go from stationary to top speed very quickly. Los Alamitos used him as a lone back in 10 personnel, a wing in a three-man backfield and in the slot in an empty set. He’s such a versatile player and the best college prospect on this list. Osborne has offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Kansas and San Diego State.
Nygel Osborne [@NygelOsborne] led the way on the ground for @LosAlFootball last week vs. Edison. 118 yards on 10 carries for the junior RB.
The Griffins(6-1/2-0) play at Fountain Valley (1-6/0-2) this Thursday at 7 PM. pic.twitter.com/XZgHHPdJRM
— Sunset Rewind (@Sunset_Rewind) October 13, 2021