Rising Stars: 2025 Running Backs
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Nolan James NJ #25 RB #1 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 185 POS RB CLASS 2025 View Profile Nolan James Instagram Twitter State: New Jersey School: DePaul Catholic Very few sophomores have the ability to dominate at such a young age, but…
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Continue ReadingVery few sophomores have the ability to dominate at such a young age, but that’s exactly what Nolan James Nolan James 5’11” | 185 lbs | RB DePaul Catholic | 2025 State NJ . did in 2022. Accumulating 1655 all purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns, Nolan has made his presence known very early in his career. As a downhill runner, he has a great combination of size and even better agility. Nolan is very elusive and has the ability to stop on a dime with ease.
Nolan is a true every down back. He’s able to play multiple roles within the offense, lining up in the backfield and slot to run in motion. Don Bosco does a great job disguising him in the pass game, setting him up for success wherever he is on the field. Nolan has the ability to play a very big role in the pass game.
Mekhi Simmons Mekhi Simmons 5’11” | 180 lbs | RB Bishop Eustace | 2025 State NJ is a shifty back. He has a way of finding a path through the defenders when it looks like someone should have wrapped him up at the line of scrimmage. He’s got the speed to break it to the next level very easily, and once he’s there you’ll have a hard time catching him.
His 2022 play highlights not only his speed but his grit on the gridiron. He’s the type of back that will fight for those extra yards each and every play. And it shows, since he began his high school career Mekhi has already ran for over 2500 yards. He is a true workhorse for his offense.
Highlights
A do it all running back, Jaimin Parkinson Jaimin Parkinson 5’11” | 175 lbs | RB Pinelands Regional | 2025 State NJ had a tremendous sophomore season. When looking for a running back for the next level, they can’t be one dimensional. The good thing about Jaimin is he is far from it. He can bounce the play to the outside with ease, and lower his shoulder when needed. This combination of elusiveness and toughness makes it easy for him to shed tacklers. Jaimin will only get better from here. It will be hard for any defense to contain Jaimin these next two years.
Tylik Hill Tylik Hill 5’9″ | 180 lbs | RB Pope John | 2025 State NJ needs some more looks, because he is making a strong case for the best running back coming out of New Jersey in 2025. Rushing for 1010 yards and 8 touchdowns, he helped Pope John dominate on the ground this past fall.
Tylik reminds me of the old school Reggie Bush highlights from his time at USC. Tylik has incredibly quick feet, and is able to juke and move laterally like few others coming out of the state. Outside of his elusiveness, he has after burner speed and runs the ball with authority. I’m looking forward to seeing him shine and gain more attention over the rest of his high school career.
Chase Enlow Chase Enlow 5’9″ | 195 lbs | RB The Hun School | 2026 State NJ has a perfect name for football, since the majority of the defenders will find themselves chasing him as he rips it right past them. If there is one underrated running back on this list, it’s Chase. Over the next season I expect to see him climb up on all of the rankings.
As a sophomore, Chase ran for 704 yards and a staggering 13 touchdowns. Carving through defenders and running with a purpose, Chase uses his amazing vision to make calculated decisions when running the ball. Not only is he a great runner, but his skills continue into the pass game. His offensive coordinator was able to find ways to put the ball in Chase’s hands in the open field, and let him do the rest. 2023 will be a big year for Chase and his future.