Behind the Rankings: 2023 Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">With the 2023 high school football season getting closer and closer to kickoff, our initial rankings for the class of 2023 have been officially published for the state of Kentucky. Over the next couple weeks, I will go into detail on how the rankings at each position came to be. After kicking things off with the quarterbacks, I will now turn my attention to some explosive play makers out of the backfield. This position group was very difficult for me to rank as the state is filled with talented ball carriers in the senior class. With that being said, here are my top running backs in the state of Kentucky for the class of 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">1. [player_tooltip player_id='385945' first='Kaden' last='Moorman']| 5'11", 205 lbs.| Franklin County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/2/17187/61c4c5a0dfd81809ccd6d385">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">If you follow high school football in the state of Kentucky at all, [player_tooltip player_id='385945' first='Kaden' last='Moorman'] is a name that you should already be very familiar with. Not only is he the best running back in this class but he is one of the top overall players in the state. Moorman had an outstanding junior season, rushing for 1,447 yards and 27 touchdowns. He has everything a coach could want as far as a complete running back. Moorman has the speed to run away from a defense but also has the power to run over defenders. I also love his ability to use his vision to find the running lanes. Once he finds the lane, he has a nice jump cut to get into the lane then continues downhill with a sense of urgency. He is also a very dangerous kickoff and punt returner on special teams. Moorman is committed to stay in his home state and play for Kentucky, and should be very much in the Mr. Football conversation this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">2. [player_tooltip player_id='145762' first='TJ' last='Horton']| 5'10", 175 lbs.| Frederick Douglass High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11798771/61b0e2626e8bc5083cc59e5e">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id='145762' first='TJ' last='Horton'] is a player that jumped out at me right away during my initial evaluations of the 2023 recruiting class. He is a player that you simply want to get the ball in his hands and let him do the rest. Whether it is in between the tackles or out in the open field, Horton does a great job of using his elusiveness to make defenders miss. He can stop on a dime and make cuts with very little effort which makes him very tough to break down and tackle for opposing defenders. On top of that, he has the strength to run straight through defenders as well. Once he hits the open field, he has a true second gear in him and can simply run away from a defense. He also is a reliable pass catcher and kickoff/punt returner. Horton is committed to Ball State and should find a key role there as soon as he gets on campus, but first he will be eyeing the opportunity to make a final run at Kroger Field for the 5A State Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">3. [player_tooltip player_id='331690' first='Daniel' last='Swinney']| 5'11", 220 lbs.| Louisville Male High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14369447/6146631223474c0bf81f0cfb">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id='331690' first='Daniel' last='Swinney'] is another running back that has been high on my radar since I started evaluating this class. He is coming off an incredible junior season in which he rushed for 1,654 yards and 29 touchdowns. Swinney is a big, physical running back that has the ability to run over defenders without breaking stride. He keeps his feet churning through contact and it frequently takes a whole team of defenders to finally bring him down. While he is a strong, physical runner, Swinney also has the speed to get to the outside and run right by opposing defenders. He also has an impressive jump cut in the open field to make defenders miss and is a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield. Swinney currently holds just one offer from Eastern Kentucky but I believe more will come soon as he is a Power 5 level talent in my eyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">4. [player_tooltip player_id='385943' first='Blake' last='Birchfield']| 6'0", 180 lbs.| Pikeville High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8464781/619e701abed6e5117815ecde">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">This list wouldn't be complete without last year's leading rusher in the entire state of Kentucky, [player_tooltip player_id='385943' first='Blake' last='Birchfield']. Birchfield had an unbelievable junior season, rushing for 2,512 yards and 25 touchdowns. He shows tremendous patience as a ball carrier, letting his blocks set up and running lanes open up. Once he finds the running lane, he comes downhill hard and uses his physicality to run through any defender in his path. He also has the speed to run away from a defense once he hits the second level, along with some impressive moves in the open field to make defenders miss. Birchfield currently holds three Division III offers from Centre, Hanover, and Denison but I believe more coaches should have him on their radar as I believe he can definitely be an impact player at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"17px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:17px">5. [player_tooltip player_id='385933' first='Kenyata' last='Carbon']| 6'0", 180 lbs.| Owensboro High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10181061/6272c94b32dc7405084cde83">Junior Year Film</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">[player_tooltip player_id='385933' first='Kenyata' last='Carbon'] is a player that has just recently burst onto my radar off the past couple months. Carbon is very dangerous with the ball in his hands in the open field. Once he hits the second level, he is one of the shiftier ball carriers that I've watched in this class. His highlight reel is filled with making defenders miss. He also has true breakaway speed that makes it tough for defenders to even get a chance to try to tackle him. Carbon is also a very impressive pass catcher out of the backfield, showing the ability to run a variety of routes from the running back position. He also plays defense at safety and had some impressive reps on film but he shines the brightest with the ball in his hands on offense. Kenyata doesn't currently have any reported offers but is a player that should grab the attention of college coaches as I believe he has the talent to play at the next level and be a true difference maker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <h2 style="font-size:15px">Best of the Rest (Players included in Top 150):</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id='385938' first='Harris' last='Phelps']</strong>| 5'11", 180 lbs.| Paintsville High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9812209/619444137bd3670b9c57ef50">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id='287572' first='TJ' last='Greenwell']</strong>| 5'10", 190 lbs.| Bardstown High School|<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12918843/619ab1ddff0cdc09788cd260"> Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>8. [player_tooltip player_id='387785' first='Quinton' last='Hollis']</strong>| 5'8", 180 lbs.| Warren East High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11432459/6129a7f490ef810a78de73f2">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id='331688' first='Kye' last='Boyd']</strong>| 5'10", 200 lbs.| North Hardin High School|<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9891911/62450a49d21c97056842123e"> Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id='145769' first='Jayden' last='Newsome']</strong>| 5'6", 155 lbs.| Shelby Valley High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13062881/615f2d92688e5a098c91d9e6">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>11. [player_tooltip player_id='385935' first='Preston' last='Stacy']</strong>| 6'1", 205 lbs.| Woodford County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11444765/61bb8b5be97b0805c04fad15">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>12. [player_tooltip player_id='331689' first='Malachi' last='Wheeler']</strong>| 6'0", 185 lbs.| Boyd County High School| <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LnmRjCA2O0">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>13. [player_tooltip player_id='386200' first='Mason' last='Gauthier']</strong>| 5'8", 155 lbs.| Bullitt East High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12680916/619505a1dfe298092c81dd0f">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>14. [player_tooltip player_id='385939' first='Josh' last='Moody']</strong>| 5'9", 180 lbs.| Bourbon County High School| </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>15. [player_tooltip player_id='385941' first='Bryson' last='Parm']</strong>| 5'9", 205 lbs.| Daviess County High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12906539/619d83afb01a6c03c0cc318d">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>16. [player_tooltip player_id='385936' first='Jakeece' last='Patterson']</strong>| 5'9", 200 lbs.| Great Crossing High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13022272/62067e454df5930a3039b4c1">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>17. Antojuan Weathers Jr.</strong>| 5'10", 180 lbs.| Louisville Male High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12840748/61ccbbf50dca2c0580c9ddc9">Junior Year Film</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px"><strong>18. [player_tooltip player_id='385946' first='Tanner' last='Wright']</strong>| 5'10", 190 lbs.| Southwestern High School| <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11272191/618d51bbbed697095c79ca89">Junior Year Film</a><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->