2024 Rankings Preview: Top-Tier RBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect these five RBs to be in the top 8 at least. I'm hard at work creating spreadsheets and full evaluations for the entire 2024 class, and I'm nearly finished with my RB grades. These five Running Backs are currently all in my current top 5, and all will surely be in the top 8 once the rankings publish. There will be some mix-ups in the rankings, and I'm happy to be previewing them here! <strong>So in no particular order</strong>, here are five of the top-tier 2024 RBs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='554672' first='Parker' last='Holman'] | Zeeland West | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16946339/Parker-Holman/about">Hudl</a> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker is probably the hardest player to rank this time around. He's a smaller back from Zeeland West, running the Wing-T offense. Although he looks small, his lifting numbers on hudl are quite good and better than some of the more "eye test" backs. Parker is a cannon out of the backfield and has an 11.08 100M time (Athletic.Net). Just off his film alone, he's a top-15 RB in the state. Seeing him in person, he's top 8 at least. I was shocked by how athletic Parker is, and how laterally quick he can be. He really knows how to get low, not waste any movement, and make guys miss. In addition, Parker runs some of the best routes I've ever seen from a Running Back, and it was shocking because of his High School Scheme. He'd be a beast in the short-mid passing game in college, and If I were a college OC, I'd play him in a CMC-type role. Parker is one of my guys, and I feel no matter where I end up ranking him, it's going to be a higher evaluation than most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='253269' first='Billy' last='Roberson II'] | Lake Orion | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15104131/Billy-Roberson-II/about">Hudl</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finally seeing Billy in person and re-watching much of his film, I'm extremely confident that he's a top-tier back. 7.6 Yards Per Carry playing in the OAA Red is insane, as are the rest of his stats. Billy is a classic bell cow back, but he's also shown the ability to pass catch when I saw him a few weeks ago. His film showcases good speed (11.57 100M time) and a great ability to fight through contact and break tackles. Billy is very well-built, and again, his stats are incredible considering he plays in one of the toughest leagues in Michigan. I'm very high on Billy and his ranking will show. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='249806' first='Nakai' last='Amachree'] | Haslett | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14485786/Nakai-Amachree/about">Hudl</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nakai blew up this past season, and it's easy to see why. He's a superstar on offense, defense, and special teams. Defensively, he's a ball hawk DB who can fly around and make plays. Special teams, he's a returning nightmare as he's a shifty + patient runner. Offensively, he's of course a great running back with a lot of tools at his disposal. It's no wonder so many D1 programs are looking at him so closely. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='533709' first='Kellen' last='Russell-Dixon'] | GR Catholic Central | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14434569/Kellen-RussellDixon/about">Hudl</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellen is an absolute beast on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he posted 1633 yards on 9.6 YPC + 17 TDs. Sure, CC has a great O-Line. Sure, CC wins just about every game, but that's not because they're punching below their weight class. The OK-Gold is a solid league, and has some extremely successful programs in it. Against good competition, Kellen shows up. It's also worth mentioning he had a whopping 74 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense. Having watched Kellen in person, he's as well-rounded a back as they come. He's very athletic, strong, and smart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='667472' first='Brock' last='Townsend'] | Caledonia | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14514281/Brock-Townsend/about">Hudl</a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brock is a guy with a ton of college attention and offers, but I rarely heard his name in the big media last season. Playing in the OK-Red (another one of the most talented leagues in MI), Brock neared 1500 yards, and scored 20 rushing touchdowns. In addition, I believe Brock can be a Division 1 safety. As a safety, he totaled 5 interceptions and 36 tackles in 14 games. As an all-around athlete, Brock is one of the best in MI. He's a consensus top back anywhere you look and a Division 1 lock when it comes to recruiting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->