2024 RBs poised to skyrocket next Fall
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As the spring season approaches, fans and scouts alike are eager to see which high school players will make a name for themselves on the field. One position that always draws attention is the running back, and there are a…
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Continue ReadingAs the spring season approaches, fans and scouts alike are eager to see which high school players will make a name for themselves on the field. One position that always draws attention is the running back, and there are a few players in particular who are poised to take the field by storm next fall. These athletes possess the speed, power, and agility to dominate the game and make a significant impact for their teams, and with a few minor improvements, these guys could be incredible.
Charlie DeBruyn Charlie DeBruyn 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB West Catholic | 2024 State MI | West Catholic | Hudl
Charlie posted 119 tackles and 15 sacks as a Linebacker this past season, and now he’ll be taking over RB1 duties after Timmy Kloska Timmy Kloska 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB Grand Rapids West Catholic | 2023 State MI . I don’t expect Kloska numbers (truly one of a kind), but with a more experienced O-Line and 2nd-year head coach, I expect a fantastic season from Charlie on both sides of the ball. His prowess as a linebacker should translate to RB. I expect Charlie to be a balanced RB who can outrun people as well as fight for those extra yards. I also wouldn’t be surprised with all-region or all-state honors! Extremely optimistic about Charlie’s potential.
Ben Johnson Ben Johnson 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Escanaba | 2024 State MI | Escanaba | Hudl
Johnson is a textbook elusive back, as he’s not the biggest, but he can sure make you miss with speed. I see a lot of potential with Ben. This past season, he earned all-conference honors while going over the 1000 all-purpose yards mark in 9 games. He’s a bit of a east-west runner with a lot of (good) runs toward the sideline, but again, most of the time his speed makes up for side-to-side running. I’m excited about Ben because I know with a few minor improvements will make a big difference. He’s already a great back and very likely the best offensive player on his squad, but with a good offseason, look out!
Cameron Broadnax Cameron Broadnax 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB River Rouge | 2024 State MI | River Rouge | Hudl
Broadnax is a back that has a lot of borderline elite traits, and with a few minor improvements, he could improve significantly. Right off the bat, I feel that with improvements of speed and balance, he could skyrocket. Cameron’s speed is great, and he’s in the weight room quite a bit, he’s lean, etc. Though there are some plays where he gets chased down, and with just a minor improvement in speed, he hits paydirt. With Cameron’s balance, there are more than a few plays where he gets tackled in the open field where I feel he could break those tackles. Practicing balance isn’t easy, but knowing when to initiate contact, offer a stiff arm, or run away from the tackler truly goes a long way. Balance, speed, and utilizing his power a bit more could skyrocket Cameron! Already a great back with many accolades, so I’m excited to see his 2023 season.
Kellen Russell-Dixon Kellen Russell-Dixon 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024 State MI | GR Catholic Central | Hudl
Lastly, we have Kellen. After a great season with Catholic Central, he went on to perform amazingly at our latest Winter Showcase. Scratch the great season part; 1892 yards, 20 TDs, 74 tackles, and 3 INTs is phenomenal. His highlights show an amazingly balanced and multi-faceted game. He can win with his speed and elusiveness, but he’s also powerful and is not afraid of contact. In fact, one of Kellen’s biggest strengths is his balance. This dude never goes down, as he can bounce off hits, stiff-arm, and generally stay on his feet. I feel that Kellen is just where he deserves to be in terms of ranking, but I almost think this ranking is his floor. CC will once again be State Champ favorites, and I expect Kellen to have an all-state season next fall.