1 RB In Each Class With The Potential To Breakout This Fall

<p>We're taking a look at a few RBs with the potential to really break onto the scene in a big way this fall. They've all shown a ton of potential and may just be scratching the surface of their upside.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='758951' first='Eric' last='Balcom'] - Hamilton Heights - 5'10" 190lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Balcom is a good athlete who has the chance to become a 3-down back with a physical running style that most young backs don't have. Incredibly quick feet, explosive through the hole, and the ability to run through arm tackles has me intrigued. He is a 2-way player who is arguably just as explosive at the LB spot as well. Similarly to his offensive abilities, he sees the field well and then can cover sideline to sideline with ease. He doesn't have a ton of reps, but what reps he does get, he's always looked good. A confident athlete with the ability to run down any ball carrier or outrun any defender makes life a bit easier for some coaches. He's rotated in on both offense and defense to this point, but should be primed to step in and take a much bigger role this fall. All of his flashes to this point combined with the potential season incoming have Balcom on this list for good reason. If he's able to come out and perform like he's capable of, he's going to climb boards everywhere.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Balcom_Eric</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='732742' first='Desare' last='Thomas'] - Cathedral - 6'0" 190lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Thomas is an incredibly explosive athlete who I feel is just an easy bet to break out sooner rather than later. Some guys are shot out of a cannon when they get a hand-off while weaving through traffic making it look easy, and Thomas is one of those guys. Good agility and the ability to stop on a dime has made some highlight reel worthy cuts already. He's not just explosive, but he's been able to shed tackles and keep his balance while making contact. He's not a huge back, but as the weight room development comes, it'll help him break more tackles. To do so already, while having that speed he does, is a very good sign. He's had some reps on Varsity and held up just fine. I feel it's pretty obvious that Thomas is going to have a Varsity role soon, which is why they wanted to get him some reps last season. He's too explosive to keep off the field for any longer which is why he's such a good bet on a guy to blow up this fall. When it's all said and done for the 2025 class, Thomas could climb his way to being the #1 back if he performs to his potential.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DesareThomas</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='758953' first='Slade' last='Fell'] - Northview - 6'2" 175lbs - 2026</h2>   <p>Fell is a bigger powerful back who is going to come out and be a Varsity level back for Northview starting this fall. This past season, he was their JV guy who carried the load, then dressed some Varsity later in the season because they needed him on the field. While he did deal with an injury mid-season, it was just a broken hand from a fluke injury that prevented him from getting his first Varsity start. As a freshman, he looked so good so quickly he was being moved up the ranks by the week. He's an explosive 1 cut back who likes to stick his foot in the ground and get North. Time and time again, he cruises around the corner while gliding down the sideline with his incredibly long strides. He's a rather big back who can lower his pads and play behind them. He's not just speed, he's able to be a physical runner which is quite the dilemma for defenses. A 6'2" back who can blow by your defense and lower his shoulder at the same time, isn't something most young DBs can handle. For his age, he's developing just fine in the weight room as well, as long as he sticks with it. 175lbs at 6'2" as a freshman is a good starting point for a young back. While Fell is a fantastic RB, he's also a sound DB. He's able to keep everyone he comes across in phase with his length and speed. He's not handsy, because he doesn't need to be, and then has the ability to turn and snatch a pick out of the air. Fell was someone who looked really good as a DB at the Prep Redzone Showcase a few months back, but I wasn't able to showcase him at the time. A steady worker, heavily dedicated to improving his craft, and his raw athletic ability should have schools lining up soon. Offense or defense, I think Fell is a guy to get comfortable with moving forward as a name you hear often.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@SladeFell</strong></p>

We're taking a look at a few RBs with the potential to really break onto the scene in a big way this fall. They've all shown a ton of potential and may just be scratching the surface of their upside.