PRZNE 2023 Rankings Update | RB Breakdown

2023 Senior rankings have been updated with 500+ players making the list. Here I break down some of the top uncommitted running backs in the Cornhusker state. The 2023 crop of backs is a deep and very talented group, yet it is being somewhat overlooked on the recruiting trail. Here are six RBs that you need to add to your radar ASAP!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='227026' first='Cole' last='Ballard'] | Elkhorn South | 6'0" 190 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12930516/Cole-Ballard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/cole_ballard5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Cole is one of the top risers as he jumps from #27 to just inside the top 15 at #14. The Elkhorn South RB had an all-time season that saw him rush for 1,489 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, 275 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns with an average of 9.4 yards a carry and 135.4 rushing yards per game. Along the way, Ballard shattered several school records and was a huge part of Elkhorn South's offensive surge this season. When you cut on the tape, you see a back that can do it all and has a very special set of skills. He has tremendous vision that allows him to assess the field and find running lanes. Cole has nice burst when he hits his hole and can accelerate in a flash. Another underrated thing about Cole's game is his pass-catching ability, especially when you can get the ball out to him in space and let him work his magic. Cole has offers from Bemidji State, Augustana, and D1-FCS St. Thomas and recently picked up PWOs from Oregon and Nebraska. Ballard has consistently proven that he is a D1 prospect, and it looks like colleges are starting to take notice.    [player_tooltip player_id='217059' first='Carlos' last='Collazo'] | Aurora | 5'9" 200 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11920487/Carlos-Collazo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/c0llaz0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Aurora's RB [player_tooltip player_id='217059' first='Carlos' last='Collazo'] picked up this season where he left off last year, running the ball hard and scoring touchdowns. Collazo's rushing production has propelled Aurora into being the Class C1 favorite in many people's eyes. Motivated by two consecutive state runner-up finishes, Collazo has rushed for 1,709 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns and has added 140 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns (8 game stats only). Collazo has a shorter but thick frame that helps him bounce off of defenders and has the shiftiness to leave defenders on skates. I <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6SwbXF2hU&t=1485s" target="_blank">interviewed</a> him earlier this season, and he described his running style as "angry, physical, patient, and with good vision." When I cut on the tape, I 100% agree, especially when talking about his vision and ability to see the entire field. He can lead a defense one way before making a quick cut and flipping the field for a footrace to the endzone. Unfortunately, like several 2023 RBs, Collazo is still flying under the radar in recruiting, with an offer from Hastings College and interest from local schools like Drake and Nebraska. Massive steal here!    [player_tooltip player_id='227094' first='Jake' last='Garcia'] | Gross Catholic | 6'0" 200 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13113065/Jake-Garcia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jakegarcia34" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Another RB that is looking to lead their team to a state championship, [player_tooltip player_id='227094' first='Jake' last='Garcia'], has been one of the driving forces behind Gross Catholic's 11-0 run and semi-final appearance. Running behind one of the best offensive lines in Class B, Jake has run amok on defenses with powerful, angry runs and has amassed 1,595 yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 111 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in 10 games played. Jake sees the field very well and anticipates where his lanes will open. He can build up a lot of momentum behind his bigger build, allowing him to break tackles and break away for extra yards. Jake also showed promise as a pass-catching back, with a few of his catches going for nice gains. Garcia holds an offer from Hastings College but could draw more looks if he finds himself under the lights of Memorial stadium.    [player_tooltip player_id='225758' first='Devyn' last='Jones'] | Papillion-La Vista South | 5'11" 215 lbs lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12831418/Devyn-Jones" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Djones_402" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Papio South's [player_tooltip player_id='225758' first='Devyn' last='Jones'] is a player that also delivered on expectations this season. Jones has gotten statistically better and better every season and continued that trend this year with 1,046 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 58 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. Devyn's running style has a unique mix of power and speed. He is a bigger back that isn't afraid to lower his pads and take on a loaded box. Jones' strong upper and lower body helps him keep his legs pumping and waving off arm tackles. His speed and acceleration really kick in when he's made it past the second and third levels of the defense and has an open field in front of him. You won't necessarily see Devyn juking and shifting, but he does have a great cutback/dead-leg and burst that has helped him break off long runs. Devyn is another under-recruited NE back but has still drawn attention from schools like Northern State, Iowa Western, Kansas, Augustana, Wayne State, Dakota State, and Hastings College, and holds an offer from Chadron State. Someone needs to jump on this guy quickly!    [player_tooltip player_id='239974' first='Karter' last='Kerkman'] | Norfolk Catholic | 6'0" 190 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12914072/Karter-Kerkman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KarterKerkman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Norfolk Catholic has been a juggernaut this season as they have run through their schedule. Spearheading that dominant run is running back [player_tooltip player_id='239974' first='Karter' last='Kerkman'], who is one of the more underrated stars in the 2023 RB class. Kerkman is a very physical back that seems to invite contact and can dish it out in the form of a mean stiff arm. Karter's running is very interesting to watch because he's very patient when he runs and can weave in and out of traffic to find his lanes. He is absolutely deadly when he can turn the corner and has deceptive breakaway speed when he hits his top gear. Kerkman is still flying under the radar, but if he helps lead the Norfolk Catholic Knights to a state championship, expect to see his stock SOAR!    [player_tooltip player_id='227072' first='Cal' last='Newell'] | Lincoln Southwest | 6'1" 200 lbs   <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13360933/Cal-Newell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/cal_newell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>   Talk about having a breakout year! Lincoln Southwest senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='227072' first='Cal' last='Newell'] looked to be in prime position to have a big season going into year 4, and he more than delivered by improving his numbers in every category. As a junior, Newell rushed for 658 yards and 6 touchdowns, obliterating those numbers with 1,568 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns this season. Cal rushed for 100+ yards in 10 of 11 games and scored 2 or more touchdowns in 9 of 11 appearances. On tape, Newell is an explosive back that hits his holes like a freight train. He does most of his damage while running downhill, using his big, powerful frame to eat away at defenses. He's very tough to bring down, and even when he does get taken down, he always seems to fall forward. Cal doesn't just rely on his power as he has great speed as well and can hit a home run on any given carry. On top of being a great player, Newell is an excellent student with a 4.3 GPA and 30 ACT, which has drawn attention from Ivy League teams. He's still waiting on his first offer, but whoever snags him will get a high-level playmaker.    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>   Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.

2023 Senior rankings have been updated with 500+ players making the list. Here I break down some of the top uncommitted running backs in the Cornhusker state. The 2023 crop of backs is a deep and very talented group, yet it is being somewhat overlooked on the recruiting trail. Here are six RBs that you need to add to your radar ASAP!