Top Returning Running Backs Primed to Run it Back in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a talent-heavy conference such as the Super Football Conference, us high school football fans are fortunate enough to witness top talent before they hit stardom. During their high school years, many of these studs often are found playing running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we take a look at a handful of the Super Football Conference's top returning running backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811595"],"_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":"Union City is loaded with o-linemen like [player_tooltip player_id='172493' first='Anthony' last='Crawford'], [player_tooltip player_id='734110' first='Brandon' last='Paulino'], and [player_tooltip player_id='146672' first='JaSire' last='Peterson'] that mesh well as a cohesive unit. One beneficiary of their play upfront was [player_tooltip player_id='341839' first='Mark' last='Boyd']; however, if [player_tooltip player_id='341839' first='Mark' last='Boyd'] was the Soaring Eagles' lightning, then that must make teammate [player_tooltip player_id='811595' first='Tyler' last='Koffa'] their thunder. At 6 foot 180lbs, Koffa rushed 110 times for 935 yards while scoring 6 TDs. On defense he made 42 tackles, 3 Ints, and scored twice.rnrnKoffa has great vision with the ball in his hands. We see this accented when he is returning kicks from the middle wall on KOR. Shifty hips might be Koffa's signature, as this makes for him to seamlessly change direction without losing speed. He is well coached and disciplined, making sure to run inside his blocks. Koffa likes to leverage his stiff arm to maintain separation from defenders and has tremendous balance, spinning off of and squirming away from would-be tacklers. For as strong of a back that he is, he is equally as talented on defense. Koffa would benefit from a rigorous offseason filled with wind sprints and resistance training to uptick his foot speed just a notch.rnrnKoffa is a talented player who would likely be a featured back in a single-back offense. Lucky for Union City, he is paired with an equally as dynamic counterpart. Together they pack a one-two punch that will wear defenses down and wreak havoc all season long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db888a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14673383/6375819164df160a0cd9b0b2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db88db"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/T_koffa_","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/T_koffa_ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811596"],"_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":"Verona, home of the Hillbillies, have a strong tradition; however, this 5'11u0022 175lb receiver ain't your typical country bumpkin. [player_tooltip player_id='811596' first='Zach' last='Garmont'], who also plays lacrosse, grossed 1032 all-purpose yards with 8 scores. Of that total 788 yards were through the air. He also made 51 tackles on defense (1 TFL), 10 PBUs, and 1 Int.rnrnMuch to a defense's dismay, Garmont has the ability to find a second gear and outrun them. When running routes, he has shown that he can stack route concepts, build upon them, and sell them for fakes. To me what makes Garmont standout as a receiver is twofold: first, he catches exclusively with his strong hands. Doing so allows him to create an actual catch radius for himself. Secondly, Garmont does a tremendous job going up above defenders for catches - particularly on under thrown passes. A subtle skill Garmont has too is that he will leverage his body to shield defender's path to the ball. He brings a bit of physicality too when blocking for teammates and on defense. The only thing I would enjoy more about his film is if he included a robust sample of the route tree.rnrnAlthough they play completely different positions, there is a common theme between Garmont and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='775002' first='Shane' last='Costigan']. They are both fundamentally sound and play the game the right way. This is a tribute both their coach-ability and coaching they receive.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db8939"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15897802/637f97f7c11a570598afbcbb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db8959"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/zachgarmont","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zachgarmont </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811607"],"_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":"Sussex Tech may not be known as a hotbed for talent, but there is one Fighting Mustang who looks to prove this to be a misconception. At 6 foot 180lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='811607' first='Brian' last='Gruber'] did a little bit of everything for Tech last year. Primarily a tailback, he slashed 141/1059/11 on the ground, went 11/29 for 93 yards through the air, and caught 2 passes for 19 yards and 1 score. Defensively he was credited with 16 tackles and 3 PBUs while also blocking 1 punt and 1 FG a piece.rnrnGruber is a traditional one-cut runner, meaning he will find a crease, plant his foot, and get vertical. As a disciplined back, he sticks to his track and hits the hole where it is designed. Gruber truly is a throwback, hard-nosed straight line runner who is willing to fight for every single tough yard. It would benefit Gruber to include clips of him making defenders miss in space. This will do wonders for his college prospects as a RB.rnrnSussex Tech is a team looking to ascend in 2023. With Gruber returning for another two campaigns, the Fighting Mustang's ascension is imminent.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db89a3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16180177/634ee32c688e3210848d1b3d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db89c0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/briangruber18","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/briangruber18 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540706"],"_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":"One of the things that sets Passaic County Tech apart from other teams is that their roster is loaded with athletic talent that are overly-viable options at a number of spots on the field. Having already covered Bulldogs such as [player_tooltip player_id='380394' first='Jovan' last='Tyrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='755441' first='Jordan' last='Alston'], and [player_tooltip player_id='220060' first='Trashon' last='Dye'], today we take a look at what the 5'7u0022 145lb RB [player_tooltip player_id='540706' first='Cashmere' last='Jones'] offers. Last season he slashed 80/496/5 on the ground, 15/171/1 through the air, was credited with 111 tackles (2 for a loss), 1 FR, 2 Int on defense, 1 blocked kick, and 1 return TD.rnrnJones knows how to spring loose and boogie. He routinely gets himself into the open field with his shiftiness and wiggle. Jones does this by making would-be tacklers look silly in the spin-cycle, shedding them as they try to bring him to the ground. Jones can stop-and-go, cut back, and hit any hole he likes without losing as so much as a step. He, too, also follows his blockers and executes the play it where it is designed to hit. There have also been instances of Jones flashing versatility when lining up either split out or in the slot too. It would not hurt Jones to add a few pounds of muscle through this offseason. Doing so will allow him to run through arm tackles and possibly make him more explosive too.rnrnTo be 5'7u0022 145lb and produce like he does, Jones has some dawg in him. It will be interesting to see how he adds to his game this fall.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db8a05"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14687317/63936b7ca0184c0948cc7f56' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db8a23"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CashmereJones8","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CashmereJones8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["811608"],"_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":"Right in the heart of Bergen County rests a town called River Dell. One Golden Eagle on their team flew above the rest, earning post season superlatives off of the merits of his 2022 season. [player_tooltip player_id='811608' first='Chris' last='Kelm']. Last fall Kelm was credited with 57 carries for 432 yards and 2 rushing TDs, while he caught 20 passes for 284 yards and scored once. Defensively he picked off 2 passes and forced 2 fumbles.rnrnBecause there is no film available on Kelm we are only left to wonder how he gets the job done. Similarly, I suspect his statistics are under represented. This said, Kelm is a prospect we are eager to get eyes on this coming season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64529f2db8a69"} /-->