Eleven 2025 Running Backs You Will Soon Know
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It’s Wednesday, and today we’re looking at some very talented sophomore running backs from around New Jersey. These guys are a bit unheralded right now, but I believe they’ll be on coaches’ radars very soon. They were extremely productive at…
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Continue ReadingIt’s Wednesday, and today we’re looking at some very talented sophomore running backs from around New Jersey. These guys are a bit unheralded right now, but I believe they’ll be on coaches’ radars very soon. They were extremely productive at the varsity level, with multiple one-thousand-yard rushers featured in his article. The best is still yet to come with these guys and I will most certainly be following their young careers from afar. With that being said, here’s who you need to know!
Kenny Smith, 5’9″ 165, Hammonton
- Impressive balance through heavy contact.
- Wheels are constantly churning.
- Runs downhill with good forward body lean.
Tylik Hill Tylik Hill 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Pope John | 2025 State NJ , 5’9″ 175, Pope John XXIII
- Over 1,200 all-purpose yards this fall.
- Shows a solid combination of speed and wiggle.
- Can accelerate at the drop of a hat.
- A Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type runner who can go from elusive to physical at any moment.
Jeremiah Cook, 5’8″ 180, Belleville
- Extremely creative when things break down behind the line.
- A burly lower-half causes tacklers to bounce off him.
- Displayed outstanding balance.
- Finished the season with eleven total touchdowns.
Kevin Andrews, 5’8″ 160, Brick Memorial
- Jump cuts look effortless with easy acceleration out of them.
- A fluid runner inside the box or outside in space.
- Has a nasty spin move in his repertoire.
Mekhi Simmons Mekhi Simmons 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Bishop Eustace | 2025 State NJ , 5’10” 165, Bishop Eustace Prep
- A patient runner with excellent vision.
- Highly productive on off-tackle runs.
- Easily decelerates to hit open cutback lanes.
Terrell Mitchell Terrell Mitchell 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Somerville | 2025 State NJ , 5’8″ 180, Somerville
- Uses his size to his advantage to get lost behind the line of scrimmage.
- A game-breaking returner who can take one 90 yards to the house at any moment.
- Such a natural route runner who can make plays out of the backfield or working from the slot.
- Has the speed, change of direction, balance, and vision of a division one ball player.
Jalen Cline Jalen Cline 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB St. Peter's Prep | 2025 NJ , 5’8″ 170, St. Peters Prep
- Once he gets a full head of steam, good luck catching him.
- Effortlessly makes second and third-level defenders miss in 1 on 1 tackle situations.
- Runs behind his shoulder pads with an anger to him.
Colin Palumbo, 5’8″ 155, Matawan Regional
- Has a physical running style, something not common for a back his size.
- Does his best work inside the tackles.
- Vision and burst work in unison.
- Has a knack for finding the endzone, as he finished 2022 with 16 total touchdowns.
Mark Boyd Mark Boyd 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Union City | 2025 State NJ , 5’9″ 160, Union City
- Hips are loose for painless change of direction.
- An explosive runner that will make you pay if you don’t bring him down on the first tackle attempt.
- Averaged over 9 yards a carry in 2022.
- His running style is so natural and free.
Nyekir Eato, 5’10” 170, Edison
- Makes arm tacklers look silly.
- Is an aggressive runner that picks up most of his yards after first contact.
- A tough, gritty back that is willing to put his body on the line.
Roddy Morinho Roddy Morinho 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Lyndhurst | 2025 NJ , 6′ 175, Lyndhurst
- A north and south runner that allows his blocks to pave the way for him.
- Consistently finishes runs falling forward.
- Is a proven safety value out of the backfield in the passing game.