Trait Ranking Series – Running Backs II
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In part 2 of the running back section of the Trait Ranking Series, we take a look at the savviest and most instinctive backs in the state, as well the biggest threats in the passing game. Athleticism Between the Tackles…
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Continue ReadingIn part 2 of the running back section of the Trait Ranking Series, we take a look at the savviest and most instinctive backs in the state, as well the biggest threats in the passing game.
Athleticism | Between the Tackles | Instincts | Passing Game |
Long Speed | Breaking tackles | Vision | Hands |
Acceleration | Contact Balance | Patience | Route Running |
Quickness | Leg Drive | Anticipation | Pass Blocking |
Burst | Finishing | Creativity |
Best Instincts
John Randle II John Randle II 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Wichita Heights | 2023 State KS – Wichita Heights High School, 6’0 180
Randle has such an easy running style, and he moves with supreme confidence, making it look like he’s moving slower than he really is. He can do this in large part because his eyes are a seemingly always a step ahead of the defense, with innate anticipation, that allows him to set up defenders and identify running lanes before they fully develop. He also has excellent ability to create, with once again an innate spatial awareness and feel for secondary running lanes. The word innate becomes somewhat of a motif when watching John Randle II John Randle II 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Wichita Heights | 2023 State KS run the football, as it comes so easily and naturally to him.
L.J Phillips – Wichita Northwest High School, 5’9 190
Phillips shows savvy beyond his years when carrying the football, showing excellent patience and anticipation to allow lanes to develop, particularly on outside zone plays, where there are no wasted steps in his approach, allowing him to put his foot in the ground and turn upfield with impeccable timing. He does a very good job stringing pursuers along on stretch plays, with subtle changes of pace, making it difficult for defenders to get a gauge on his position and trigger cleanly. Kudos to the coaching staff at Northwest, as Phillips is following in the footsteps of NFL bound Breece Hall as another smart and fundamentally polished runner produced by the school.
Grant Stubblefield Grant Stubblefield 6'1" | 185 lbs | RB Blue Valley Northwest | 2023 State KS – Blue Valley Northwest, 6’1 185
Taking advantage of a long, smooth stride, Stubblefield expertly sets up defenders by leveraging angles and subtle changes of direction in higher gears, which he also does very well when he breaks into the secondary, allowing him to reverse the field and extend runs. This also helps him in his approach to the LOS on outside zone runs, where he gains ground quickly, allowing him to anticipate the development of his blocks. He is also adept at making subtle moves in his approach on inside run plays, creating openings and allowing his blockers to gain favorable angles by bating defenders into false steps before turning upfield.
Best in the Passing Game
Dylan Edwards Dylan Edwards 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Derby | 2023 State KS – Derby High School, 5’9 165
Edwards is one of those relatively rare running back prospects that could switch to receiver full time and be just as dangerous. While there most likely isn’t a corner in the state that can stay with him on a 9 route, he is more than a vertical threat, as he’s very good at varying his speeds when running routes, with the ability to throttle down and stop on a dime. He also does a good job tracking the ball and showed on a couple of occasions he can make tough catches in traffic. Prayers up for defensive coordinators facing Derby this season.
Malik O’Atis Malik O’Atis 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Shawnee Mission NW | 2023 State KS – Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, 5’10 165
O’Atis finds himself at the top of these rankings primarily because of his hands. He is a natural, easy catcher of the football, plucking it out of the air mid-stride without it getting anywhere near his chest before he tucks it and runs. In addition, he is quite adept at the art of route disguise, with ideally compact body language, and good suddenness to the way he gets in and out of his stem, making him a very tough cover from the slot.
Jesse Greenly Jesse Greenly 5'11" | 220 lbs | RB Atchison | 2023 State KS – Atchison High School, 5’11 207
Greenly is more than just a power back, as he has natural hands, and does a good job adjusting to the ball and plucking it out of the air in stride on screen plays. He has, however, earned himself a spot here due to his physicality as a blocker, with a cinderblock frame and low that center of gravity that make very difficult for incoming blitzers to take on.