Running Backs To Get Eyes on This Fall
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The Top 3 RBs from the Land of Lincoln have committed to their college home. The question is… who is up next? The PRZ IL Rankings have the answers, and right here we are going to dive into each of…
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Continue ReadingThe Top 3 RBs from the Land of Lincoln have committed to their college home. The question is… who is up next? The PRZ IL Rankings have the answers, and right here we are going to dive into each of the top uncommitted 2024 RBs in IL. There is still every type of back available. Speedy, twitchy athletes out in space, pile pushers and tackle breakers, and everything in between. We start with the electric Kankakee RB.
Tony is a special athlete. His quick twitch athleticism and top end speed are elite level traits. The way he can accelerate from a dead stop to top speed is rare. It happens in the blink of an eye. His balance and body control give him the ability to use that quick twitch athleticism within his lateral movements as well to jump cut and make defenders miss. Once Phillips hits the open field he can hit a second gear that is hard to catch. Tony also possesses solid vision to find seams to slip through, or cut back lanes to daylight. The Kankakee RB is a natural playmaker who has a knack for finding ways to make the big play. He is the best RB available in IL.
Highlights
Watching through the 2022 highlights of HJ Grigsby III HJ Grigsby III 6’0″ | 180 lbs | RB Joliet Catholic Academy | 2024 State IL you quickly get a sense of how smooth of an athlete he is. It seems like he is always playing at his top speed, and that speed has proven to be a mismatch. His highlights has show him easily pulling away in the open field. The 6′ 175 lbs RB also has the physicality you want to see from an every down back. He can play low and behind his shoulder pads, run through contact, and keep his feet to break loose and pick up big yards after contact. HJ has a well rounded game, and he has several D2 offers including most of the NSIC.
Highlights
The 6’1″ 180 lbs Boylin Catholic standout RB can make his mark in every way possible for an RB. Give it to him on the ground, get him involved in the pass game, and even let him return kicks. Rasheed has elite track speed, so any time he can get the ball out in space gives him a major advantage. He can beat pursuit angles with his 10.85 100M speed. In the running game, Rasheed is a one cut runner who can explode through the line when he sees the hole and sticks his foot in the ground to cut up field. Johnson sees the field really well as well, especially behind the line of scrimmage. Rasheed looks to be in position to have a monster senior season.
If you are looking for a hard running back who can set the tone with physicality and also has the athleticism to create the big plays then you need to check out the St. Laurence RB. Aaron checks in at a well put together 6′ 200 lbs. He has a very well developed low center of gravity that allows him to easily power through tackle attempts and force tackle attempts to bounce off him. Aaron’s leg drive allows him to run through contact and then instantly flip on the speed when he breaks free. Aaron also has the speed and agility to win with his quick twitch instead of power. Ball is a well rounded back and looks like he could be a featured ball carrier at the next level.
Highlights
The 6′ 215 lbs RB out of St. Rita is the most punishing runner available in the state of Illinois. Derrick is a north-south runner who has no hesitation if he has to run right through the chest of an LB to get to where he wants to go. It almost feels like Stewart is seeking out contact and imposing his will on the defense. Derrick definitely looks like the hammer through all his highlights. The big back has a powerful lower body that also gives him reliable balance so he can gain yards after running through arm tackles. He is a force that will thrive in short yardages and setting the tone of the offense.
Highlights
Another back with a well balanced style of play is the Marist athlete Marc Coy Marc Coy 6’1″ | 205 lbs | RB Marist | 2024 State IL . The 6’1″ 205 lbs RB is a force between the tackles with his ability to move the pile, run through arm tackles, and lower his shoulder and punish the defense. He has a muscular build and it translates into power on the field. When Coy gets out in space he has long speed and a second gear to be able to pull away. Marc also plays with the vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage to put himself in the best position to make big plays. He sees his blocking develop and the flow of the defense and reacts accordingly and quickly. Marc should have a big year and prove to be a big time next level talent.