Trait Ranking Series – Running Backs Part I

The trait ranking series pushes on as we transition to the 2023 running backs, who are the second deepest group in the PRZ rankings with 30 ranked players. This is indeed a very deep group, which includes two nationally ranked prospects, that will give defenses fits next fall. In part I, we’ll be looking at the top three pure athletes, as well as the top three power backs. Stay tuned for part II coming up next week, when we’ll be looking at the backs with the best instincts, and the best contributors in the passing game. <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;"><strong>Athleticism </strong></td> <td style="width: 25%;"><strong>Between the Tackles</strong></td> <td style="width: 25%;"><strong>Instincts </strong></td> <td style="width: 25%;"><strong>Passing Game</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Long Speed</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Breaking tackles</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Vision</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Hands</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Acceleration</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Contact Balance</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Patience</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Route Running</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Quickness</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Leg Drive</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Anticipation</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Pass Blocking</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25%;">Burst</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Finishing</td> <td style="width: 25%;">Creativity</td> <td style="width: 25%;"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <strong><em>Best Athletes </em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87649" first="Dylan" last="Edwards"] – Derby High School, 5’9 165</strong> There are a handful of 2023 backs that could have topped this portion of the rankings most years, but [player_tooltip player_id="87649" first="Dylan" last="Edwards"] possesses traits that are legitimately elite. Edwards’ acceleration is effortless and sudden once he puts his foot in the ground, and his long speed is absolutely devastating, making him a threat to score on every touch. There is no safe angle for defenders once Edwards gets into the open field, where he pulls away in a blink, and he also has some very good wiggle to shake tacklers around the LOS. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35641" first="John" last="Randle II"] – Wichita Heights High School, 6’0 180</strong> A 4 star recruit with a plethora of power five offers, Randle is one of the best pure runners in the country. Randle is the proverbial slasher style back, and he has vexed opposing tacklers with effortless and sudden speed variance, which allows him to stop on a dime and change direction in a blink. With a smooth, long stride, Randle can accelerate out of his cuts and create separation, making him a legitimate big play threat, and once he gets a head of steam he can pull away from a defense in a hurry. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124032" first="Eric" last="Butler"] – Olathe Northwest High School, 6’1 210</strong> Before we even talk the film, it is worth noting that Butler’s size and frame make him look like a ringer when you see him on the field with other high school kids, and he faced the highest level of competition the state has to offer. Butler is one of the more underrated prospects in the state due to what he can do at his size, as he has some impressive lateral twitch to his game and is very light on his feet. In addition, Butler shows a very good short area burst he can hit out of nowhere and is a legitimate breakaway threat once he gets into his stride. &nbsp; <strong><em>Best Between the Tackles</em></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87702" first="Jesse" last="Greenly"] – Atchison High School, 5’11 207</strong> If a coach could build a power back in a lab, he would look like [player_tooltip player_id="87702" first="Jesse" last="Greenly"] (pictured). The Atchison back boasts a frighteningly developed lower body for a high school junior and has an ideally low center of gravity. He runs the football in a foul mood and relishes opportunities to punish defenders. What sets him apart, however, is his contact balance, as he simply chews up tackles for fun without breaking stride. Moreover, he has very nimble feet for a bigger back, and the ability to make subtle cuts in traffic, which is a major problem for defenders because he is difficult to tackle even when they do get a clean shot at him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="124032" first="Eric" last="Butler"] – Olathe Northwest High School, 6’1 210</strong> Making his second appearance, Butler is, as would be expected, a devastating runner between the tackles. With scary strength and balance, Butler runs upright and rips through tackles like a juggernaut, with relentless leg drive, growing stronger as he gains momentum. As physically intimidating a runner as we have in the state, he seeks out defenders and lowers his shoulder, and at times looked like a man playing against boys trying to tackle him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="131237" first="Sean" last="Carroll"] – St Thomas Aquinas High School – 5’11 210</strong> Another running back that looked like he’s never skipped a leg day in the weight room, Carroll runs with rage and tenacity. One of the first things to jump out when flipping the film on is the ease with which Carroll can drop his pads, creating an ideal center of gravity, which coupled with sneaky nimble feet, allows him to consistently gain leverage on the defenders unfortunate enough to step into his path. Carroll also possesses very good contact balance, and can bounce off (and through) tackles without breaking stride. &nbsp;