Northwest Indiana RBs To Pay Close Attention To This Fall

<p>We're heading to Northwest Indiana today to check out 5 upcoming RBs. While there are certainly bigger names in the area we can hit again, we're looking for backs in today's piece that could come out and really put their stamps on the field.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='810167' first='Anthony' last='Ponce'] - Calumet New Tech - 5'9" 165lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Ponce is coming off of an absolutely terrific season where he took his game to a new level. Since he stepped on the field for Varsity, he's been a big play waiting to happen. His sophomore season saw him put up 7 TDs and average over 7 yards per carry. He's incredibly quick, has very fast feet, and the eyes to match. He's able to find cutback lanes as they're being created, he's able to get small, and he's able to play big when he needs to. There's not been anything he's failed to handle yet and takes things in stride on the field. More often than not, he's going to have no problem getting to the edge of the defense and then ripping off a huge run. Speed is his best friend and he kills defenses with his ability to stretch the field. For someone with the ability to stretch the defense, he's also able to run in between the tackles and tire out a defense. He's pushing 250 career carries and bounces right back up after every snap. This past season, he put up 904 rushing yards, 11 TDs, and had 5 games where he went over 100-yards. Ponce is consistent. Ponce is explosive. Ponce is consistently explosive. Ponce is set to come into his Senior year with all eyes on him, and the potential to leave a legacy behind.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DaRealAntPonce</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='810168' first='Carter' last='Knoy'] - Harrison - 5'8" 150lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Knoy is a perfect example of a guy who doesn't play his size, but in a good way. He plays so much bigger, stronger, and leaves it all out on the line like very few can. He's a hard-nose runner who can drag the pile for yards upon yards. He's also incredibly shifty in short-area spaces and has good burst in those areas. He's steadily improved year by year for Harrison, and last year, really had his first significant action unleashing his upside. He's got fairly good vision and with his speed, he's able to cut across the grain and find open running room. In the Red zone, he's able to be the same effective player as he is in-between the 20's. He's got soft hands and is an incredibly versatile athlete who can be moved around the field. Harrison moved him around last year as such, and I only anticipate his role growing heading into his Senior campaign. Last season, Knoy had a fairly respectable 603 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs, and added 24-284-4 in the receiving game. An overall season where he put up just under 1000 scrimmage yards and 8 total TDs was just what he needed. Big things could be in store for Knoy this fall if he's able to replicate that level of play.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@KnoyCarter</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='810170' first='Brian' last='Osman'] - Mishawaka Marian - 5'4" 150lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Osman came out this fall and took handle of a job that he doesn't seem to have any plans on giving back. He's a big play machine who really gave the running game some life last year in spurts where it really needed some help. He's a very shifty back who is good at creating yardage. He's able to make just about anyone miss in a phone booth and leave them with 2 buckled ankles. While he's able to make people miss, he's not going to break a ton of tackles. He's way too slippery for first level defenders. When he gets any open space, he's as hard to bring down as anyone in the state. His shorter stature allows him to hide behind the line until he shoots through the hole on the backside. With his speed, he's not particularly the guy you want shooting through your defensive gaps. In his sophomore year, he touched the ball just under 150 times. It was clear that they wanted to not only get his feet wet, but they needed him heavily involved. He held up, came through, and delivered. A sophomore year that saw him put up 524 rushing yards and 4 TDs leaves you pretty anxious to see what's next, and that should come this fall.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@BrianOsman24</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='559782' first='Ethan' last='Bryce'] - Mishawaka - 5'11" 190lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Bryce is a really dynamic play-maker for Mishawaka who really started to hit his stride in the second half of the season. Don't get me wrong, he played well all year, but later in the year his receiving role began to grow and he ended the year with games of back to back receiving TDs. This was all along with his rushing role continuing to grow, which is exactly what you want to see. Bryce started his season off with his first carry of the year being a 60-yard TD run. He broke a few tackles, found the lane to the outside, and hit the gas. Long strides as he was strutting downfield, and it left you wanting to see him touch the ball again. While this is an RB piece, it would be a slight to not mention his ability to be moved out wide and get behind the defense. An RB with the ability to be a deep threat is quite a chess piece for offenses to have. He's not a refined WR by any means, but he's more than capable and could be a guy you work with to develop more routes. Bryce is versatile and someone I'm curious to see how much more they give this fall, because I think he can handle it.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@EBryce21</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='810162' first='Drew' last='Elliot'] - Goshen - 6'1" 185lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Elliot is actually a phenomenal 2-way player for Goshen who has just as bright of a future on offense as he does defense. With the ball in his hands, he's as shifty and creative as anyone you'll watch. He's lengthy, bend well, and has change of direction that guys his size shouldn't, and normally, don't have. That combination alone makes him lethal, and then add that he's an angry runner who isn't easy to bring down, and you've got quite the problem for teams. Defensively, he's incredibly tough and instinctive. He's able to breakdown plays as they develop and has the explosive ability to come downhill and deliver a big hit. Last year, Elliot put up 400-yards and a pair of TDs on offense. Defensively, he put up 35 solo tackles, an interception, and recovered a fumble. I feel like the door is open for Elliot to go either way he wants, and this fall, I anticipate Goshen relying on him pretty heavily. He's proven to be a difference maker on both sides of the ball, and it's only a matter of time until the word gets out about Elliot.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Elliot_Drew</strong></p>

We're heading to Northwest Indiana today to check out 5 upcoming RBs. While there are certainly bigger names in the area we can hit again, we're looking for backs in today's piece that could come out and really put their stamps on the field.