Prep Redzone NJ’s 2023 Rusher of the Year Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now that champions have been crowned and Prep Redzone New Jersey's Stock Up Showcase is complete, it is now time to turn our attention to individual superlatives and recognitions. With many outstanding rushers who led their teams to outstanding seasons, here are the best of the best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note that this list is <strong>not</strong> exclusive to running backs. This award is meant to distinguish the most explosive rusher, regardless of position, in the state this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Agree with me? Disagree with me? Tell me why I want to hear from you. Leave a comment on my <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1735841928221016217">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Leading Rushers – By the Numbers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/table-import {"name":"acf/table-import","data":{"import_file":1116872,"_import_file":"field_637be8ff37223"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a85df"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rusher Play - Scout's Evaluation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["220060"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Unfortunately I could not find Dye's senior highlight tape online so the following evaluation is based on his junior film.rnrnAlthough the first clip of him is on defense, you can see Dye's explosiveness and his leg drive delivers a sudden jolt backwards to the ball carrier. As a rusher, Dye appears patient when he runs affording any pullers to get through the hole ahead of him or for a lane to open up. Once daylight appears, Dye accelerates to the hole. In situations like this there is a slight change in speed that you are able to observe. He is a bigger back with great balance who keeps his legs working. This renders weak or arm tackles ineffective against him. Dye runs his track well, avoiding bouncing to the outside prematurely. In fact, much of his highlights - even the big gainers - show him breaking through the tackle box. When in the open field Dye will utilize the stiff arm or high-step over defenders who try to tackle him low. Profiling as more of a power back who demonstrates more power than wiggle, Dye has shown a propensity to lower his shoulder and barrel over defenders coming in high. This makes me think Dye profiles better as a 1-cut runner rather than one who will cut back against the grain - although he has. I would like to see Dye protect the ball with both hands as he gets through the first two levels of the defense, as well as lower his pad level in the same situation.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8922"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15046130/638e1d36f56100098070cae4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8969"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1032202"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It appears to me that Jones might be the fastest player in each game he played. The majority of his highlights are of him ripping off long runs for scores, plus a few clips of him hawking down ball carriers of from the other team. Jones has great balance as a runner, avoiding defenders who look to lay a big shot on him. Jones absorbs those shocks by spinning off of them to limit their impact or planting his hand on the ground to maintain his balance and keep running. Jones is an inside-out runner who has a clear change of speed as he approaches the third level of the defense. His goal is to get to the sideline when he springs loose. He is a patient runner for the most part, however, if a defense plugs the intended running hole he will improvise to gain yards. With his speed, he is a threat to make something big out of nothing. In terms of evasiveness he has only started to show glimpses of shiftiness, but he will hurdle and side-skate defenders who close in on him low. He also uses the stiff arm to create separation. Viewing a game film to see how Jones handles all his runs between the big gainers is something I would like to see; as well as Jones remembering to switch the ball to his outside hand more consistently when he does spring loose.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a89cf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15235783/656577ecc11a2707cc1ca5cc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a89ef"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1037053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"runs too high; knows to get his legs up high to avoid would-be tacklers; has one speed; evasive for a back his side, runs how alstott would when eh reaches the back levesls of a defense; patient for holes to develop, if pullers move slow he finds the first grass and goes; needs to tuck ball high/tight and squeeze its points; will absorb a blow and keep his feet going and go; shows ability to make one-cut and go at times;rnrnScully had an outstanding team for Colts Neck. The first thing I noticed about his game was that he knows how to get his legs up high to avoid would-be tacklers. The way he runs kind of reminds me of how Mike Alstott would run when he would reach the back-end of a defense. Scully is patient as he waits for holes to develop; however, if his pullers are moving too slow he will bite at the first bit of grass he sees and head upfield. Scully has shown that he can absorb a blow and keep heading up field at times too. I would like to see Scully lower his pad level when running and focus on squeezing the points of the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8a4b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15164368/6556c047688fb60a10d11748' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8a6b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["967106"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"will use jump cut;  needs to lower pad level; ; has vision to find open space when he gets to second level; jumpcut against the grain; agile enough to go side to side when running belly;rnrnAs the tailback in a Wing-T offense Ordille gets plenty of opportunities to carry the rock. What makes hi a unique defender is how he pulls the string on his speed, by slightly slowing doing to set defenders up for a move to gain additional yardage. His go-to move appears to be the jump-cut, a move we have seen him execute across the grain. Ordille reaches top speed almost immediately out the shoot, which allows him to garner up power when he runs. We see this when tacklers go up high on him, as Ordille carries them for extra yardage typically through the first two defenders to arrive. As those defenders close in on him, it appears that Ordille secures the ball before they arrive to avoid putting the ball on the turf. Lastly, Ordille has the vision to find the best path to the end zone once he gets into the open field. The biggest things for Ordille to improve upon as he head to college is running with a lower pad level and improving his top-end speed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8ad6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15650302/6569e4a7d469310830f378a7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8afc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["174107"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"shifty hips for a player of his size; dmust protect ball better, carries it low; most of his rushes are read-option/rpo, few scrambles shifts hips well and dips shoulder/spins off to get free;rnrnDietz is a bit of a tough prospect to evaluate solely as a rusher because it will not tell the full story of his abilities, as he actually quarterbacks his team. Never the less I shall try to limit this evaluation to him only as a ball carrier.rnrnFormost, Dietz seems to consistently make the correct reads in both run-option and RPO action. He is disciplined as a runner to, religiously following his track. One of the first clips on his film Dietz u003cemu003eliterallyu003c/emu003e ran in a straight line up the middle of the field on midline option for a score. He is more athletic than most edge players too, as he makes them miss when that defender is the only one who can make that play. In the open field Dietz can work his hips to evade would-be tacklers. Similarly, Dietz demonstrates that he possesses balance and understands leverage - by dipping his shoulders - as evidenced by his ability to escape from piles. Much to my surprise the vast majority of Dietz's rushing yardage comes from designed runs; whereas very little yardage come via scramble. Dietz carries the ball a bit too low for my liking and I would prefer to see him hold it high and tight.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8b68"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15182242/6562ac9d42060a0968a63497' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8b89"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["379679"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Last but certainly not least is, arguably, New Jersey's most explosive back during the 2023 season - [player_tooltip player_id='379679' first='Rashawn' last='Marshall']. After checking the film to make sure it was not playing at 2x speed, I finally realized that what I was watching was simply Marshall's elite speed. This speed causes his jukes, shifts, jump-cuts, spin moves, and stutter steps to be sudden, violent, and break ankles. For as elusive and shifty he is, he has shown that he is willing to lower his shoulder for must-have extra yardage. This combination of on-demand power running, elite speed, and the agility of Spiderman makes Marshall a threat from any spot on the field. Relatedly, when Marshall possesses the field you must u003cemu003edefend u003c/emu003ethe entire field as he will cut back and reverse field at any moment. This is, in my opinion, a rare demonstration of when athleticism meets vision. A contributor as a blocker too, when asked to do so he is vicious and tries to embarrass his assignment. There are a few things I want to see Marshall continue to focus on, however. First is ball protection. At the next level where athleticism will be more evenly matched across teams, he ought to tuck the ball. His running style now - prioritizing making people miss - has him carry the ball loosely. Similarly, he must remember to switch the ball to his outside hand when rushing. If he continues to be a threat in the return game it will serve Marshall to field the ball with his hands low, rather than catching it above his head.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8be8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"https://share.qwikcut.com/64fe6d8e8521e80a7acda8e1/Rashawn%20Marshall-%20End%20of%20Season%20highlights","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657d0200a8c05"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scout's Pick</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After considering statistics and watching film, my vote for the 2023 Rusher of the Year goes to [player_tooltip player_id='379679' first='Rashawn' last='Marshall']. How do our followers and fans feel? Do you agree? Let your voice be heard by commenting on my <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanScoutsNJ/status/1735841928221016217">Twitter</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->