Kentucky Top Performers of the 2022 Season: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that all the defensive positions have been posted, it is time to look at some of the notable top-performing offensive players that we saw this past season. The average team scoring margin in Kentucky increased compared to the 2021 season. This is partially due to the increase in offensive talent that was found across our state. With these next few posts, I will present some of the top-talented offensive players from this past season. Today, I will be listing the top-performing running backs in the state of Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493868"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysisu003c/strongu003e: u003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022u003eReese Musicu003c/spanu003e finished the season as the leading rusher in the state A class running 133 carries for 1,616 rushing yards u0026amp; 20 rushing touchdowns in 9 games played. The 2023 Betsy Lane running back has a strong build that helps him fight off a lot of incoming tackles. Throughout the season, Music was able to break off nearly 4-5 tackles from separate players off 1 single carry. Along with that, Reese's footwork is extremely quick u0026amp; shifty which allows him to create terrific cuts that do not give the defender any time to predict the move. Lastly, Reese's field vision is amazing for a running back since his reflex u0026amp; decision-making are so quick, it helps him find open running gaps on the field with little to no problem. I expect Reese to have some great performance in this year's playoffs, and that starts this week as his Betsy Lane football team (5-5) plays Paris High School (7-3).rnrnu003cstrongu003eEnd of Seasonu003c/strongu003e: Reese finished the season strong as he recorded 1,935 rushing yards u0026amp; 23 rushing touchdowns in 11 games played. He led the entire state in average yards per carry with an astonishing 10.9 yards. As I previously mentioned, Reese is one of the most dominant running backs after initial contact. The senior can break off many tackles to gain extra yardage which is extremely valuable for any team to keep the flow of an offense going. Along with that, Reece can accelerate quickly back to full speed after contact as the contact does not fully slow him down. Reese should be considered in the minds of college coaches looking for a strong running back that can get you yards no matter the situation. But for the time being, he has not publicly announced any offers/interests from schools.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Js4gKu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["499069"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Daniel is someone that got on my radar late into the season. The Bell County junior finished the 2022 season leading the entire state in total rushing yards recording 2,228 with 29 rushing touchdowns (10.7 yards per carry). What makes Daniel so successful as a dual threat running back is his vision u0026amp; IQ on the field. When picked as the primary ball carrier, Daniel is perfect at exploiting all the opposing defense's weaknesses and making huge plays with it. For example, Thomas is amazing at finding the weak spot in the defense where he can find a running lane and take off, as he possesses crazy speed. What also makes Thomas so special is his ability to receive the ball as well since he led the team in total receiving yards and touchdowns. As of now, Daniel does not hold any collegiate offers but after his spectacular season, he certainly has what it takes to be successful in playing football at the next level.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/DanielThomas_4u0022u003eTwitter:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["502745"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Arguably one of the fastest running backs in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='502745' first='Demauriah' last='Brown'] finished the season with 1,971 rushing yards u0026amp; 28 rushing touchdowns in 12 games played (10.5 yards per carry). Demauriah beats his opponents with his lightning speed, and his acceleration is without a doubt one of the quickest in the state. Brown can break out to his top speed in a matter of a few seconds, and nobody is going to catch up to him. Along with that, his lateral quickness is top-notch which helps him juke out opposing tackles with ease. He is also amazing on special teams as he scored a few touchdowns as the team's leading returner. There are many people that say, u0022speed killsu0022, and that is how you perfectly describe Brown's game. As of the end of the season, Demauriah has received interest from Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, and a few local schools. I expect him to receive more in the future as his game continues to develop with 2 years left of high school ball for the young man.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JquGQu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["385943"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003ePast Analysis:u003c/strongu003e The junior had a record-breaking 2021 season as not only did he break a school record for rushing yards but led the entire state of Kentucky for rushing yards as well. Blakes's acceleration once getting into the open field is incredible to watch, which leads to plenty of extra rushing yards after the snap. Along with that, Blake can break out of a bunch of tackles to gather at least a couple more yards for carrying. Especially in the redzone, Blake's desire to get that ball into the endzone can be seen with his unwillingness to be tackled down short of the endzone. This kid has a bright future ahead of him and would not be surprised if he continues to lead the state in rushing again this fall.rnrnu003cstrongu003eEnd of Season: u003c/strongu003eBlake finished the 2022 season strong as he did the year before recording 2,031 rushing yards and a state-leading 35 rushing touchdowns in 14 games played (9.1 yards per carry). What makes Blake so good at running the football is his versatility on the field. Besides his strong build u0026amp; athleticism, Blake is great at reading running gaps and can exploit the defense in any way he can to gain extra yards for his offense. Even when the defense is set up to stop the run, Blake manages to find a way to make a great run by adapting to the positioning of the defense. With his sharp cuts and excellent lateral movements, it is rather difficult for most defenders to stay on him for the tackle. After the season, Blake holds a couple of collegiate offers and I expect him to be deciding on where he wants to play soon.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2JwVggu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["373042"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone'] finished his impressive 2022 sophomore season running for 2,191 rushing yards u0026amp; 26 rushing touchdowns in 13 games played for Louisville Central High School (8.1 yards per carry). Cortez's lateral movements u0026amp; jukes cannot be stopped as he gets around defenders so easily with his quick u0026amp; shifty movements. The 2025 grad is notable for escaping out of plays most people would think would end up in a tackle for loss by taking leverage off the tackles with his strength and accelerating out onto an open running gap. It is safe to say this kid is a stud, and he made many defenders look useless when he is running the football. Stone can also receive the ball and gain crucial yards after the reception with his superior running skills. As of now, Cortez holds a few Power 5 D1 offers and other D1 school interests and with 2 years left of high school eligibility, I expect him to further develop and gain even more D1 offers.rnrnu003ca href=u0022http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jyxxwu0022u003eTape:u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ab7d5a79cbb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Honorable Mentions</span></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='485039' first='Ethan' last='Jarvis'] | 6-0, 178lbs. Class of 2023 | Prestonburg High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12913807/Ethan-Jarvis">Hudl:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='381931' first='Brady' last='Hensley'] | 6-0, 202lbs. Class of 2024 | Madison Central High School, KY | <a href="">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='289365' first='Ryan' last='Rayno'] | 6-3, 190lbs. Class of 2023 | Logan County High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12496042/Ryan-Rayno/highlights">Hudl:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='324205' first='Jacob' last='Jones'] | 6-2, 200lbs. Class of 2023 | West Jessamine High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12991503/630bcb4ff31d1604384c6225">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='522929' first='Quintel' last='Thomas'] | 5-11, 190lbs. Class of 2023 | Eastern High School, KY | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12323820/6326028d4797f40820a18df2">Tape:</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->