Postseason Review: Running Backs Vol. 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The postseason review will take a look at each position group and players that excelled to help push their team. Players included from the 2024 class that are uncommitted and returning juniors and sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nathan Baker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Uniontown Lake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Nathan Baker's elusive ball carrying skills were as important to his team as his versatility to play multiple positions on offense and defense. It was no surprise Baker was named Division II All-Ohio after combining for 2,344 all purpose yards with 1,688 yards on the ground with the skillset to back it up. His shifty abilities come from his quick hips and even quicker feet. He maintains a low center when running which allows him to perform quick cuts. His advanced footwork is on display regularly with a compact stride to allow for explosive plays with traffic in front of him. As much of a threat as he is out of the backfield, he equals his big play abilities when lining up as a wide receiver. Baker possesses as good of hands that you will see out of a running back that defenses have to key on his position on the field each play. His quick change of direction abilities are off the charts which gives him the ability to score on any play. Baker racked up the accolades this season and for good reason. He holds an offer to Westminster so far, but is a player that deserves more college insterst.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11754101/655587dd0660fe08747d542cu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/11754101/655587dd0660fe08747d542cu003c/au003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Luke Reed","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Benedictine","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Luke Reed is a speedy back with an effortless stride that can quickly put away a defense when running between the tackles. Reed's elite reaction time makes any opening along the offensive line a home run threat. He attacks the second level with his speed to overwhelm linebackers before they are set. He makes any flat-footed defender pay with his decisive speed to commit in one direction and challenge defenders to stop him. Shows good abilities to take tough angles in open space to optimize yardage on his runs. Able to absorb contact to his lower body with good balance. Has a good first cut with a strong plant foot and burst to get back up to speed towards open space. A tough target to bring down, Reed doesn't shy away from contact, especially at top speed. Will instigate contact as a last resort to deliver a blow that can get him extra yardage. Dangerous around the goal line because of his effort and will to score. Reed currently holds three offers to John Carroll, Ohio Dominican and Otterbein, but still has interest from bigger schools including Miami of Ohio. Reed has a high ceiling of potential at the next level and an exciting player to watch for.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14952311/65499c5dc11b3c0528ad976du0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/14952311/65499c5dc11b3c0528ad976du003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1115105' first='John' last='Salaman']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lorain","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1115105' first='John' last='Salaman'] is a big back with the speed and power to make him second team All-Ohio in Division I. Salaman shows rare speed for his frame with top end speed that can overwhelm a defense. His one-cut style of play is most effective between the tackles. His hard running style makes it difficult for one tackler to bring him down. Shows no hesitation when he finds an opening to reach the second level quickly. Once in open space, he can win a footrace against equally fast defensive backs with pure determination. A durable back that can handle a high volume of carriers on a regular basis. Doesn't waste movements, will work upfield before relying on cuts or different moves to elude defenders. Uses open space well with a good sense of pressure on him, works towards difficult angles to maximize runs. Salaman picked up a few key offers before the season started including Notre Dame College, Ohio Dominican and Otterbein, but is a player that could help a number of bigger programs with his size and skillset.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15962691/6564f68fa681b113647f2c2cu0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/15962691/6564f68fa681b113647f2c2cu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1147200' first='Kevin' last='Jordan']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Elyria","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Few players had the success in limited field time as [player_tooltip player_id='1147200' first='Kevin' last='Jordan']. He earned All-Ohio honorable mention by rushing for more than 1,100 yards in just seven games on varsity in his junior season. Jordan will be one of the top returning gems to Northeast Ohio as a natural running back with a flow to his game that is hard to match. Has light feet when running which helps him to make smooth turns to ditch defenders while maintaining speed. A three-down back that runs a dangerous wildcat, Jordan shows good patience behind his offensive line and instinct to use his burst through gaps in the defense. Once in open space, he is a slippery runner that breaks through weak tackles with little signs of slowing down. Plays his best between the hash marks, but can slip to the perimeter when being pressured. Flexible back that will position his body to reach for the tough yardage. Jordan picked up his first offer to Westminster College during the season, but expect his offers to be on the rise as he gets more and more exposure at camps. He will be one of the players in Northeast Ohio to keep an eye on for offensive awards next season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17329076/653530c896760609240c09f7u0022u003ehttps://www.hudl.com/video/3/17329076/653530c896760609240c09f7u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65749636be018"} /-->