Top Returning Running Backs Primed to Run it Back in 2023
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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…
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Continue ReadingIn 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.
Today we take a look at a handful of the Super Football Conference’s top returning running backs.
Verona, home of the Hillbillies, have a strong tradition; however, this 5’11” 175lb receiver ain’t your typical country bumpkin. Zach Garmont Zach Garmont 5’11” | 175 lbs | WR Verona | 2024 NJ , 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.
Much 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.
Although they play completely different positions, there is a common theme between Garmont and teammate Shane Costigan Shane Costigan 5’10” | 205 lbs | OL Verona | 2024 NJ . They are both fundamentally sound and play the game the right way. This is a tribute both their coach-ability and coaching they receive.
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, Brian Gruber Brian Gruber 6’0″ | 180 lbs | RB Sussex Tech | 2025 NJ 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.
Gruber 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.
Sussex Tech is a team looking to ascend in 2023. With Gruber returning for another two campaigns, the Fighting Mustang’s ascension is imminent.
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 Jovan Tyrell Jovan Tyrell 6’1″ | 185 lbs | DB Passaic County Tech | 2024 State NJ , Jordan Alston Jordan Alston 5’6″ | 170 lbs | LB Passaic Tech | 2024 NJ , and Trashon Dye Trashon Dye 6’0″ | 195 lbs | RB Passaic | 2024 State NJ , today we take a look at what the 5’7″ 145lb RB Cashmere Jones Cashmere Jones 5’7″ | 145 lbs | ATH Passaic Tech | 2024 State NJ 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.
Jones 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.
To be 5’7″ 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.
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. Chris Kelm Chris Kelm 5’10” | 175 lbs | RB River Dell | 2025 NJ . 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.
Because 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.