Five Productive Midwest Ball Carriers To Know
These young prospects have displayed a rare skill set to carry the demands at running back for four quarters. In the middle of the country you will find a diverse talent pool that can rival some to the best youth…
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Continue ReadingThese young prospects have displayed a rare skill set to carry the demands at running back for four quarters. In the middle of the country you will find a diverse talent pool that can rival some to the best youth football around. Check out five running backs that caught my attention in the 2028 class below.
Bolingbrook Buccaneers out of Illinois have a standout 2028 running back in Mike Washington Jr. Mike Washington Jr. RB IL His name is also familiar in the BOOM and AYF circuits. This spring he helped lead his team to a championship and he’s still terrorizing defenses this fall. Washington is a pure athlete. You can place him at any skills position and success will follow. Taking a direction snap to the house is routine and he has shown off his catching ability out of the backfield. The acceleration in and out of holes is due to his vision and balance. You can tell when a ball carrier is confident because he trusts his eyes and ability to get chunks of yardage. Every time Mike Washington Jr. Mike Washington Jr. RB IL steps on the field, he expects to make a big play.
I see you slime! 5’9 165 RB playing for Southfield in Michigan is a problem. Julian Taylor Julian Taylor 5’9″ | 165 lbs | RB MI looks the part and plays it better. Gang tackling is a must, because he won’t go down without a fight. Julian is strong and runs with bad intentions. Please don’t just get caught up on his physicality and not appreciate his speed as well. He possesses a balanced attacked when the pill is in his hands. I’ve witness a mean stutter step and go to get to the outside, then a disrespectful stiff arm to conclude his run on the outside. I love his energy and think he will only get better at the next level.
Cameron Akins stands at 5’8 and close to 150 pounds out of Kansas. This kid is a playmaking machine. Easily one of the better running backs I’ve seen as a perimeter runner. He has already accumulated over 1200 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns in 8 games. Cameron shows off his pull away track speed countless times once he’s at the second level. He also has solid receiving skills and contact balance inside the tackles. I think he can make an immediate splash next season as a returner as well.
Highlights
Tyrell Johnson Jr. Tyrell Johnson Jr. 5’10” | 150 lbs | ATH MO has suited up for some of the best teams in the Greater St. Louis Area over the years. Now at 5’10 150lbs he’s showcasing his ability with the E.STL Jr. Flyers. Tyrell is long and athletic. His stride turns over easy yardage and he plays with good pad level despite his height. The pressure step leaves tacklers frozen in place before pulling away. Depending on how his frame continues to develop, I believe this young man will have options for his primary position. Either way he needs the ball in his hands.
Another Illinois product, Searcy is a good-looking athlete that can make some big plays happen in the blink of an eye. As a running back, he’s very quick. He’s an agile kid that can make a cut and get back up to full speed in just a few steps. This year has lined up as the wing in a single-win offense, in addition a traditional half back spot. Loves to gain the edge and beat people with elusive speed and moves. However, he isn’t afraid to get physical up between the tackles if he needs to. For more proof of his ability to muscle up, he’s one of the inside (used to be wedge-breaker) guys on kick off and also plays outside linebacker.