Who are the Most Underrated 2024 Running Backs in Missouri?
Running back is a position that college coaches want to make sure recruits pass the “eye” test in. When prospects don’t have the desired height, size, or forty time it can be easy to start falling through the recruiting cracks.…
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Continue ReadingRunning back is a position that college coaches want to make sure recruits pass the “eye” test in. When prospects don’t have the desired height, size, or forty time it can be easy to start falling through the recruiting cracks. However, as the experts say, “the film don’t lie”. Below, I examine several prospects whose film will override any questions about their lack of traditional measurements.
Mason French Mason French 5’10” | RB Helias | 2024 State MO is a talented two-sport athlete out of Helias Catholic in Jefferson City. Mason received his first offer from Midamerica Nazarene this week and visited Quincy University last month. He was also invited to Bluffton University’s junior day and summer camps at Lindenwood and Central Missouri. Expect Mason’s Midamerica offer not to be the only one he receives.
Mason’s patience, vision, and burst shows accelerating through the widest lane in outside zone schemes. Good balance and strength shows spinning out of contact in a crowded run box. Mason displays good leverage, athleticism and quick feet escaping from linebackers in small spaces, highlighting his next level elusiveness.
Jaden Morrison
Jaden Morrison
Jaden Morrison is a college sized running back out of Timberland High School. Jaden has visited Western Illinois, Illinois State, and Missouri Southern State this spring. He was also invited to junior days at Upper Iowa and Central Missouri, so I would suspect one school within the region to be the first to offer Jaden a scholarship.
Jaden shows good patience and lateral quickness when the point of attack is disrupted, and he is forced to change course behind the line of scrimmage. Jaden shows good vision attack the line of scrimmage on inside zone run schemes, while good instincts take over in a crowded second level and find positive escape routes to the sideline. Jaden impresses coaches with third down potential by making acrobatic catches in space and displaying an experienced route tree out of the backfield.
Kayden Minner
Kayden Minner
Kayden Minner is fresh off of a state basketball championship victory for New Madrid County Central. Kayden visited McKendree’s junior day last month. Look for the shifty, versatile halfback to pick up more regional attention before summer gets here.
Kayden’s vision and quickness highlights his next level elusiveness finding the sideline through the smallest of windows in a crowded run box. Patience and good decision-making shows using leverage and allowing blocks to develop in power run schemes. Lateral explosiveness and the elusiveness he displays winning one on one highlights Kayden’s third down value at the next level.
Fred Sheppard
Fred Sheppard
Fred Sheppard’s injuries held him to five games last season, but recruiters will still be able to see Fred’s talent seconds after turning on the tape. Fred has visited the University of Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, Missouri Western, and Washburn just this spring. With over nine camp invites to separate schools, look for Fred to receive his first offer sooner rather than later.
Good vision and patience shows setting up blocks and using leverage effectively in power run schemes. As a pass protector, Fred shows a good anchor and upper body strength in his latch that highlights third down value at the next level. Fred’s good combination of size, attitude, and buildup speed shows accelerating downhill out of a pistol formation while looking to initiate contact at the second level. Quick feet, strength, and good balance give Fred a chance to be a versatile part of teams’ twenty personnel packages at the next level.
Jaydan Gipson
Jaydan Gipson
Jaydan Gipson is an explosive runner for Lee’s Summit High School. Jaydan recently attended Avila University’s spring game. I am surprised to not see the talented runner get more local attention and would expect to see more schools in the region recruit Jaydan before fall gets here.
Jaydan’s top gear shows splitting defensive backs at the second level, while next level athleticism shows shaking defenders with limited space to work with. Jaydan’s acceleration shows escaping laterally behind a crowded line of scrimmage. Toughness, good balance, and strong leg drive show in Jaydan’s finish that earns extra yardage while bigger defensive linemen attempt to bring him down.
Quincy Torry
Quincy Torry
Quincy Torry is an offensive playmaker and track & field record holder for Lee’s Summit West High School. Quincy has visited Drake and Central Missouri this spring, while attending game day visits at Kansas and Emporia State last fall. Look for one of these local schools within the region to be Quincy’s first offer, while other schools hurry to follow up with the talented running back.
Quincy’s vision and next level burst show patiently waiting to explode through the smallest of holes as a wildcat quarterback. Quincy shows good balance and strength running through arm tackles in the open field. Quick feet and athleticism cause defenders to miss in space, but Quincy’s power and toughness allow him to bulldoze defenders if he chooses to do so. Consistent hands, contested catch ability, and adjustment ability at the catchpoint highlight Quincy’s versatility as a playmaker at the next level.