EXOS Select 50 Showcase: Running Back Game Changers

Running backs are versatile athletes that can change the outcome of a game and control their team’s fate with a big play. Today’s running back are swiss army knives who catch passes like wideouts, block like fullbacks and can be the focal point of an offense. The EXOS Select 50 Showcase invited several running backs who are game changers and we will spotlight their camp performances.   Da’Shawn Chairs (RB) Running Back MVP C/O 2024 5’8 170 Elkins High School (Arkansas) Twitter: @479_Chairs Chairs gets in and out of cuts with no wasted steps, he has loose flexible hips, has great vision and runs under control with speed and power. During the 1v1 blocking drills vs linebackers, Da’Shawn displayed a powerful punch, kept a wide base which allowed him to shoot his hands quickly and his superb footwork and quick lateral movement kept him from losing reps. Chairs is lethal in the passing game, displaying sticky hands, he tracks the ball into his hands securely, runs the route tree like a veteran and has the versatility to line up at the slot receiver position. Chairs showed off his speed and quickness by posting a laser timed 4.5 40 yard time during the combine testing. After film study of Chairs 2021 season, Da’Shawn showed the ability to be a number one offensive option. Chairs’s thick lower half and compact powerful frame allows him to run with power between the tackles, he knows how to get skinny in the hole, he can cut on a dime and Chairs possesses the speed to be a threat from any distance. The sophomore rushed for 1,502 yards with 28 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for two touchdowns. Da’Shawn’s all around game led to being selected the EXOS Select 50 Showcase MVP. Chairs’s profile will continue to rise as the 2022 season approaches. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11263971/61be03e73df51b0b88757c6f’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11263971/61be03e73df51b0b88757c6f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>   Caleb Blocker (RB) C/O 2024 5’9 180 Katy Tompkins High School Twitter: @CalebBlocker Blocker is a smooth runner, shift gears quickly without a stutter in his step, has oily hips with great flexibility and makes deliberate cuts allowing him to change direction quickly. Blocker is shifty in open space and made defenders miss during the 1v1 drills. Caleb has a stocky, solid build, a thick strong lower torso and definitely spends time in the weight room. During the pass protection drills vs the linebackers, Caleb proved he’s not just a Blocker in name by using sound technique, staying square with the rusher, not overcommitting letting the defender come to him, he understands how to use leverage by staying low and his powerful punch at the point of engagement allowed him win rep after rep. Blocker is a lethal weapon in the passing game out of the backfield and during 1v1s and pass catching drills he showed off his skills by running precise routes, displays soft strong hands with ability to climb the ladder and high point the football in traffic. Caleb has been on a steady climb for the last two years, as I was introduced to him on the 7v7 circuit where he is matchup nightmare from any formation by using ultra quick moves and speed to his advantage. The sophomore had a breakout season for Katy Tompkins in 2021 rolling thru defenses running with a physical presence, he has a low center of gravity, has great balance which allows him to brush off arm tackles and he has the elite burst to score touchdowns from anywhere on the field. Blocker’s recruitment is picking up steam this spring with interest from Ole Miss and Delta State. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15046877/61ab9d3bbd6a1d077c01828f’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15046877/61ab9d3bbd6a1d077c01828f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>   Victor Chionuma (RB/Slot) C/O 2024 5’10 173 Prosper Rock Hill High School Victor has an explosive first step, sinks hips well in and out of his cuts and switches gears quickly. Chionuma has the versatility to line up in the backfield as well as at the slot receiver position. Victor has exceptional hands and routinely catches the football at it’s highest point. Victor explodes off the line, uses his power to create separation from defenders attempting press him off the line, his route running aides him in getting away from defenders cleanly and he has the athleticism to torque his body in position to make contested catches. Chionuma was a returning MVP to the EXOS Select 50 Showcase and his game is trending upward. Victor is a high stepper with a shifty running style, keeps a low profile in the hole, but explodes in the open field and gets north and south quickly. Look for Chionuma to to be a mainstay in the Rock Hill offense in 2022. https://twitter.com/VictorChionuma1/status/1523420475501981696?s=20&t=y-fvlQIZScPR5BXiW51aGw     Tony Alexander III (RB) C/O 2023 5’8 170 Tyler High School Alexander is twitchy, has phonebooth quickness and has the ability to change directions sharply to elude defenders. Tony is elusive, uses his leverage well to escape the defense and his salty spin move makes him difficult to stop in the open field. Alexander has the ability to line up at slot receiver as well as be a reliable target in the passing game from the running back position. Tony’s smooth release off the line with his sharp route running make him a difficult cover. Alexander is a hands catcher who tracks the ball in flight like a veteran. Alexander made his mark in the pass protection drills vs a competitive linebacker group where his showed off his ability to pass block, move well laterally to stay in front of the oncoming rusher, used a strong punch to stun defenders on contact and improved his technique with each rep. Look for the Tyler Lion running back to get his touches as he will be a viable threat to any defense that his team faces.   Colton Gray (RB) C/O 2024 5’7 155 Trenton High School Gray is a shifty back who makes sharp cuts, keeps a good base and keep his shoulders square heading into traffic and has the ability to defenders miss in the open field. During the footwork drills of the EXOS Select 50 Showcase, Colton stood out by displaying good balance, the ability to change direction fluidly and the speed to accelerate quickly. Gray held his own during the pass protection period vs an active group of linebackers by using his quickness laterally to stay in front of rushers, he showed his tenacity by continuing to stay engaged and not lose ground and used a good punch to initiate contact. Where Gray is most dangerous is in the open field and out of the backfield as a pass catcher. Colton sinks his hips well, his excellent hip bend allows him to get in and out of his breaks smoothly and he understands how to get open despite the coverage. As Gray continues to mature, he has the skill set that can develop into a dangerous weapon for the Trenton High offense.   Andrew Petter (RB) C/O 2024 5’9 195 Georgetown High School Twitter: @AndrewPetter_24 Petter had an impressive showing at the EXOS Select 50 Showcase. Andrew is stout, his piston like legs churn up turf when he cuts, but he glides smoothly as a runner, he has nimble feet and the long strider knows how to turn up the field and get vertical. Petter isn’t afraid to stick his nose in a defenders chest and during the pass protection 1v1s he was physical at the point of attack, handling the opposition firmly. Andrew is skilled as a pass catcher, runs crisps routes, he has body snatcher hands, has the athleticism to high point the ball in traffic and his soft strong hands engulf the football when he receives a pass. Andrew has the speed to make house calls and that was on display when clocked a 4.58 40 yard dash during the combine portion of the camp. After watching Petter’s sophomore season film, he runs with great balance, has superb vision, carries the ball with excellent forward lean, his powerful bowling ball style gives him the ability to break arm tackles and Andrew totes the rock like his hair is on fire. Petter had 540 yards rushing and split out as wideout to haul in 11 touchdown passes with 622 yards receiving. Andrew is a game breaker who powers thru defenders in the open field and broke tackles to turn the routine catch into six points consistently. Camps and combines always have hidden gems that haven’t received a huge amount of exposure and Petter was that player at the EXOS Select 50 Showcase. Andrew is trending in the right direction and his ability to be a multiple positional player will aid him as he continues to develop. https://twitter.com/RecruitsCenTex/status/1491920999293632520?s=20&t=vCXRbOmZPJUE7os0qQvPFg   Kanye Brown (RB) C/O 2023 5’10 155 Wichita Southeast (Kansas) Twitter: @kanyebrown175 Brown is a burner with next level speed, is an elusive runner, runs with high knee action and his burst within a few steps enables him separate from defenders. Kanye has the frame to add bulk and retain his sprinter speed. During film critique of Brown’s 2021 season, Kanye has excellent vision, makes cuts and continues to accelerate and once he gets a step on the defense it’s lights out. At the EXOS Select 50 Showcase Brown clocked a laser time 4.57 in the 40, displaying his dual sport prowess as an elite track sprinter. Brown’s ceiling is high and as he continues to make his mark look for him to blaze a trail to the next level.   https://twitter.com/kanyebrown175/status/1523655365212389376?s=20&t=zLZPFE78DIkF15xG9EHtTQ <a href="http://iframe%20src=’https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13012706/61aa2da5b3c80002dc0979f9’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13012706/61aa2da5b3c80002dc0979f9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>        