Part. I: Explosive Ball Carriers

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">Carlos Baez, Livingston HS 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baez is no doubt one of the top ball carriers across the section and has been flying under the radar throughout his high school career. He is very explosive at the backfield with a good initial burst and natural forward lean while showing good vision near the line of scrimmage with cut-back ability and can make defenders miss in the hole. Once in the open field, he shows quick lateral movement abilities and forces defenders to take bad angles as he has sneaky third level speed and is a fluid runner. Also able to naturally catch the ball out of the backfield from various different angles, he is a very balanced back that can make a big impact at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">Brody Krupp, Woodcreek HS 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more intriguing 2025 prospects from across Norcal, Krupp is in line for a huge 2022 season for Woodcreek. He is a downhill and vertical back that likes to gain the top yards inside and displays terrific contact balance and shows good leg drive through contact while able to run through arm and ankle tackles. A low to the ground runner, he runs behind his pads and shows quick feet and short area quickness through the hole while tough to catch in the open field as he can hit another gear. Explosive and runs with power and physicality, Krupp will be a top back from across the region to watch and know this Fall, regardless of class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">[player_tooltip player_id='261751' first='Curron' last='Borders'], Antelope HS 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Borders is one of the most under-recruited prospects out of all of Northern California and has put together a string of very successful seasons over the last few years. He is one of the toughest ball carriers to tackle across the region and is a downhill thumper with a natural lean and very strong lower body that runs with power and violence at the POA. He is a fluid runner that likes to hit the hole quickly and shows good initial acceleration while bouncing off tackles and keeping leg drive through contact. Fast and twitchy enough to suddenly change direction and bounce it outside, his smooth running style and physical play make him one of the best available backs across Norcal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"700"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">[player_tooltip player_id='384820' first='Jack' last='Carner'], Pioneer HS 2023 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carner had one of the best 2021 campaigns of any running back across Norcal and is line for a huge Fall season. He is a very versatile player out of the backfield that can naturally catch the ball, run tough in-between the tackles or bounce it outside when needed and gain the edge. Holding one offer from Portland State, he is tough to tackle in one on one situations as he can make defenders miss in tight windows while having sneaky third level speed and cutback abilities in the open field. Going through the season, other D-II and FCS+ schools should continue to show interest and possibly offer the talented back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->