2023 Overlooked Running Backs

There are plenty of great running backs who will be seniors this fall. With that being the case, several talented backs are overlooked. Today and tomorrow, we look at some of those prospects. [player_tooltip player_id="185516" first="Cheyenne" last="Allen"], 6’1, 170 pounds, North Judson-San Pierre [player_tooltip player_id="185516" first="Cheyenne" last="Allen"] is a versatile prospect who can be a solid running back, while filling the superback role amicably. Allen can line up off the line and motion pre-snap or come across to take a handoff after the ball is snapped. Allen is an outstanding receiver. He can be a good option running seam routes. Allen is a sure-handed pass-catcher, and he is difficult to tackle. He can also play safety. Last year, he posted 36 tackles with one tackle-for-loss, one sack, one interception and one pass defense. Allen is an outstanding special teams contributor. He is a dangerous return man, piling up 572 kickoff return yards and 126 punt return yards, last year. Allen can cover kickoffs and punts, hurrying down the field to make the play. He has accrued placekicking and punting experience, as well. [player_tooltip player_id="185251" first="Christian" last="McDonald"], 5’11, 170 pounds, Owen Valley [player_tooltip player_id="185251" first="Christian" last="McDonald"] is a quick running back who is capable of creating a chunk play. McDonald can put his foot in the ground and change direction quickly- keeping opponents guessing. McDonald reads blocks well and makes his cuts in a way that puts his blockers in good positions. McDonald can make defenders miss in the open field and bounce outside. A season ago, McDonald carried 184 times. He accounted for 1,535 rushing yards with 28 rushing touchdowns. McDonald added 113 receiving yards, in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="300209" first="Elijah" last="Tiawhan"], 6’2, 205 pounds, Crown Point [player_tooltip player_id="300209" first="Elijah" last="Tiawhan"] catapults the Crown Point offense. Tiawhan has great vision. He can find the gaps and cut-back lanes, then he explodes through the opening to come up with chunk yardage. Tiawhan can change direction quickly, and he can bounce to another gap and then attack. When he gets into the open field, Tiawhan accelerates and leaves defenders lagging behind. When they do catch up to him, Tiawhan bounces off tackles and uses the stiff arm effectively. He does a nice job of running behind his pads and picking up yards after contact. [player_tooltip player_id="185521" first="Camajay" last="Terrell"], 5’8, 165 pounds, Gary West Side [player_tooltip player_id="185521" first="Camajay" last="Terrell"] is a shifty runner who is difficult for defenders to stay with. Terrell does a good job of changing direction quickly and not tipping off where he is going to go. Terrell is an elusive runner. He is always capable of making would-be tacklers look foolish in the open field. Last year, Terrell carried the load for West Side with 169 carries. He accumulated an astounding 1,628 yards on the ground. Terrell posted an impressive yards per carry average of nearly 10 yards per run. He found the endzone on 19 of his carries. [player_tooltip player_id="300955" first="Robert" last="Koskie"], 5’10, 190 pounds, Garrett [player_tooltip player_id="300955" first="Robert" last="Koskie"] can embrace the physical nature of the game and leave his mark on the defense. Koskie is a great downhill runner. He runs with intensity behind his pads and frequently falls forward to pick up additional yardage. Koskie is a durable runner. Last season, he carried the ball 209 times. He ran for 907 yards, during his junior campaign. Koskie added seven touchdown runs to his resume from a season ago.