Positional Breakdown: 2024 Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running back class in 2024 is much different than the class of 2023, which featured a clear top two with a large gap until the rest of the top backs. This season, we have a clear #1 but a ton of running backs that could compete to rise the rankings and eventually challenge our #1 back by the end of next season. There is a ton of depth at the position this season, and we have a wide variety of talent that showcases different circumstances. Some backs here just had a breakout junior season and look to build off their quality tape, while a few backs have been dominant for multiple seasons and could be breaking records as seniors. We even have two backs who had a near 50/50 split in playtime for one of the best offenses in New York. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The bottom line is that we have tons of depth for this position group that comes in the form of very different situations for these backs. The one thing they all have in common? They are some of New York's top running backs and have a tone of quality play they put on film. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The Top Running Back</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["528468"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='528468' first='Jahmir' last='Pitcher'] was one of the best playmakers in all of the state regardless of class or position. Pitcher showcased a level dominance as a runner and a receiver that no other back in New York came close too. Pitcher has elite speed where he can take any play to the endzone regardless of where he gets handed the ball. Pitcher is great vision and can find running lanes both inside the tackles and outside on the edge. His acceleration and burst through the hole is elite and once he hits that top gear defenders cannot get their hands on him. As a receiver Pitcher is unique as them came showcasing some reps lined up as a tight end, slot receiver, and a receiving back from the backfield. Pitcher has quality reps at each position where you would think that a full-time role there would make him one of the best players at that position in the entire state. The bottom line is that Pitcher can do it all, he can showcase a diverse skillset as a receiver from multiple alignments, be a strong physical runner in between the tackles, and make plays on the edge as a runner using his vision and speed to create positive yardage.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe7517bb189"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Five Prospects to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["450491"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='450491' first='Jordan' last='Osbourne'] is one of the longer leaner running backs in this class but his overall athleticism is at an elite level. Osbourne has great speed and can impact the game as both a runner and receiver. Osbourne uses his length really well in both facets of the game where as a runner he has one of the best stiff arms in New York and does a really good job of using his length and upper body to keep defenders off of him. As a pass catcher out of the backfield Osbournes length is tough for defenders to deal with and as a hands catcher he has shown that he can pluck balls out of the air. Osbourne has the athleticism but one of his most underrated traits is his power, at the goalline Osbourne is extremely successful punching in touchdowns and he routinely is delivering the hits to defensive backs and linebackers and not the one taking hits from them. Osbourne has an incredibly high ceiling and his well-rounded skill set to go along with elite athleticism and dominant stiff arm and other moves he should be a prominent figure in an Archbishop Stepinac offense that is losing 3 of its top 4 receivers from last season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["450492"],"_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":"It is not often two of the states top running backs come from the same team but Archbishop Stepinac runs a true committee backfield where Osbourne is joined by [player_tooltip player_id='450492' first='Lorenzo' last='Robinson'] as 1A and 1B options for Stepinac. Robinson is a very dominant runner who showcases elite agility and ability to make lateral cuts and beat defenders with quickness. Robinson is super shifty and not only makes defenders miss but uses that shiftiness to find the best running lanes to get up field. Robinson has some sneaky power and does showcase the ability to deliver strong blows to defenders but what he is best at is being a very slippery back who slips through arm tackles and high or low attempts to bring him down. Robinson is a really solid runner outside the tackles because of his ability to make guys miss but also use his quick foot speed to make cuts back upfield and get vertical. Robinson also has really good balance with a low center of gravity where his ability to stay upright when fighting through tackles earns him extra yards.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["434418"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='434418' first='Kenneth' last='Antoine'] had a breakout season as the workhorse back for Cardinal Hayes. Antoine has a very strong lower body and has incredible burst once he hits the second level. His power in his legs and hips make the first and second tackler usually miss and Antoine can use that power to not only break those tackles but continue to accelerate through those attempts. Antoine also has really solid balance for a back, he does a good job of keeping himself of the ground and even using that balance to gain a few extra yards when taken down. His power is elite and his balance is something you easily can see on tape but one of Antoine's most underrated traits is that he has really solid agility and quickness. Antoine can break long runs all the way but his agility and quickness are stronger traits than his long speed. Antoine often uses his power to win but he makes these really impressive simple horizontal cuts will maintaining forward momentum. His hips and lower body is not just strong but it is twitchy and Antoine uses that to make adjustments in his path as a runner. Antoine could show more production in the passing game as he only has a few career receptions but as a runner Antoine has elite tools that showcase his ceiling. Expect Cardinal Hayes to rely on Antoine even more this season as they look to make a big jump this season after being one of the younger programs in the NYCHSFL.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["450892"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='450892' first='Trevor' last='Barry']'s career to this point has been pure dominance for Iroquois, in just two seasons Barry has every 4,300 yards rushing and receiving to go along with 69 touchdowns. Barry has great size at 6'1, 205lbs and does a very good job of using that size to his advantage. Barry is strong, fast, and very quick for a player his size. Barry can win breaking tackles at the LOS but also turn what look like short gains into longer runs with his speed and quickness evading tacklers at the second level. Barry does play at a level where the competition is not particularly very good but his level of dominance is unprecedented. You can easily envision Barry's traits allowing him to have success at high levels in New York and his size profile alone gives him a good opportunity to play at the next level. Also, as a running back Barry just has that u0022itu0022 factor where any play you pick to watch could be one of the best football plays you see, his ability to make the impossible look so simple is extremely impressive.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["528266"],"_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='528266' first='Kemauri' last='Perry'] may be one of the most physically imposing running backs in this class. Perry is a very powerful runner and has long-strides which make him extremely difficult to catch. Perry runs with a great motor and his power makes it hard for just one defender to bring him down. Perry is the best runner in between the tackles in this class and his ability to accelerate through the hole make even plays where defenders make contact around the LOS solid gains of 4+ yards. Also showcases some of the best pass blocking ability from the backfield. His strength and explosiveness play into his ability to stun blitzers and edge rushers and often flatten them to the ground. Perry needs to improve his patience as a runner and his ability to be fluid in his hips and make cuts laterally but with the physical traits he already has could have one of the highest ceilings in this class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe7517bb293"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Sleepers That You Should Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527837"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='527837' first='John' last='Harding'] is fast, and the 5'9, 175lb back had over 2,000 all purpose yards for McQuaid. Harding has breakaway speed that helps him turn quick cuts through running lanes into long gains. Harding also has really solid positional versatility and has shown that he can line up at wide receiver, in the slot, or in the backfield and be very impactful as both a runner and receiver. Harding does a very good job of running direct and north and south, his quick one-cut up field nature highlights his speed and big-play ability. Harding also does a great job of being patient and using vision to find the best running lanes. His shiftiness in the backfield combined with the patience allow him to make sudden lateral movements to attack the hole then make that one-cut up the field.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521431"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='521410' first='Medhi' last='Merah'] is extremely physical as a runner, for Xavier Merah was more of their power running back and at the next level could transition to more of a fullback type role. Merah has an incredible motor as a back and never stops his legs moving. I saw Merah in the NYCHSFL AA2 Final where he was physically imposing against Mt. Saint Michael Academy and did it while banged up and limping throughout the entire game. Merah does lack some breakaway speed, hence the projection to move to a more fullback/H-back type role at the next level but with the ball in his hands he is one of the most difficult runners for opposing defenses to bring down. Xavier graduates their top two rushers from last season so Merah should go from a dominant third option to their most consistent ball carrier next season. Expect big things from the 5'10, 215lb back.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fe7517bb322"} /-->