SLMFCA Showcase: 2023 running backs
The St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association held its Spring Showcase on May 16 at De Smet High School in St. Louis. The showcase featured approximately 100 prospects from the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes and included testing in…
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Continue ReadingThe St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association held its Spring Showcase on May 16 at De Smet High School in St. Louis.
The showcase featured approximately 100 prospects from the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes and included testing in the 40-yard dash (electronic) and pro-agility drill before moving on to positional and one-on-one drills.
Here is a quick look at some of the 2023 running backs who stood out:
Elijah Fry Elijah Fry 5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH Ritenour | 2023 State MO , Ritenour
Listed as a running back-linebacker for the Showcase, Fry has been an impact player on both sides of the ball for the Huskies the past two seasons and is also a wrestler. He may be one of the top 2023 prospects in Missouri who has yet to receive an offer, but he’s certainly deserving of one.
He measured in at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds and turned in some decent times, running the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds and recording a pro-agility time of 4.94 seconds. Fry is a strong kid with good size at either running back or linebacker.
Last fall, as a junior, Fry led Ritenour in rushing (611 yards), total yards (680), touchdowns (five) and tackles (114). He also added four sacks, which ranked second on the Huskies.
Bryce Giesler Bryce Giesler 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Valle Catholic | 2023 State MO , Valle Catholic
Measuring in at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Giesler made the two-hour round trip from Ste. Genevieve to De Smet High School and showed why he was one of the most productive running backs in the state last fall as a junior.
Giesler helped Valle Catholic to a 10-1 record last season as he rushed for 1,716 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per carry, and 26 touchdowns. He also added eight receptions for 246 receiving yards, averaging 30 yards per reception, and three more touchdowns.
Giesler’s testing numbers at the Showcase — he recorded a pro-agility time of 4.8 and a 40 of 5.1 seconds — aren’t indicative of the speed and athleticism he shows on his junior film. He’s a gamer and a winner who is already attracting attention (and offers) from colleges.
Kofi MbRoh Kofi MbRoh 5'5" | 185 lbs | RB St. Charles | 2023 MO , St. Charles
Measuring in at 5-5 and 187 pounds, MbRoh recorded a pro-agility time of 4.8 and a 40-yard dash time of 4.92 seconds.
He is coming off a junior season where he rushed for 257 yards, which ranked second among the Pirates, and recorded a team-high 14 receptions. Don’t be surprised if he has a breakout season as a senior this fall.
Terran Mitchell Terran Mitchell 5'7" | 150 lbs | ATH Affton | 2023 MO , Affton
Measuring in at 5-6 and 150 pounds, Mitchell was listed as an athlete at the Showcase, but he offers versatility as a fast and quick running back or slot receiver at the next level.
Mitchell ran the second fastest 40 among 2023 prospects at the Showcase at 4.57 seconds. His pro-agility time of 4.35 seconds was also among the best marks in his class.
Last fall, as a junior, Mitchell led the Cougars in receiving (45 catches for 565 yards and four touchdowns), total yards (611) and touchdowns (seven), was second in tackles (71) and excelled as a kick returner (26.88 yard average). He scored three touchdowns on returns.
Jaxin Patterson Jaxin Patterson 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Hillsboro | 2023 State MO , Hillsboro
Built like a tank, Patterson measured in at 5-10 and weighed 196 pounds. It was easy to see why he’s been a problem for the Hawks’ opponents the past three seasons.
Patterson recorded a pro-agility time of 4.37 seconds and a 40-yard dash time of 5.19, but his game is based on his strength and his quickness. (And we have seen self-reported 40 times in the 4.7 range for him, as well.)
As a junior, last season, he racked up 1,449 rushing yards, averaged 7.9 yards per carry, and scored 18 total touchdowns. In 2020, as a sophomore, he rushed for 1,247 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry, and scored 16 total touchdowns. As a freshman, in 2019, he rushed for 1,364 yards, averaging 5 yards per, and 14 touchdowns.
Patterson is a weight room beast and continues to get better and better.
SLMFCA Showcase Coverage
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Offensive/Defensive linemen