2025 Watch List Spotlight: RBs (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Rankings were updated to 125 total players ranked in the class back in January but many more are on the Watch List. These Watch List players will eventually enter the rankings in the future and are names we will be watching closely next season. Here are some RBs not currently in the rankings who you should keep an eye on in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["907166"],"_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":"Herbert Hoover 2025 running back [player_tooltip player_id='907166' first='Rocco' last='Frye'] will look to bounce back in 2024 from a season-ending injury he suffered before this past season. Frye has had a run of bad luck in the injury department as he also suffered a tough injury later in his sophomore season. A fully healthy senior season could potentially propel him into the Top 100 of our 2025 rankings and already ranks as our #15 RB in the class even with missing the 2023 season. Frye flashed for the Huskies as a sophomore with obvious next-level potential but is a bit of an unknown right now due to his past injuries. He's a compact 5'8 195 with quality weight room development which allowed him to run like a bowling ball as a sophomore consistently bouncing off of defenders. Frye was a tough physical runner for a young running back who also flashed quality speed to get out in space. He has high upside if he can make a full recovery from his injuries and is an under-the-radar name to know in the new Class AAA.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1188914"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Parkersburg South will lose their top two rushers from this past season, and a pair of 2025 running backs will look to fill in those big shoes with Eli Bartley and [player_tooltip player_id='1188914' first='Aeneas' last='Lauderman']. Bartley is highly thought of by PRZ WV ranking inside our 2025 Top 100, but Lauderman should not be overlooked either. He saw some production in spot duty as a junior as the Patriots' 4th-leading rusher with 224 yards and a touchdown. There weren't many athletes in the state last season who would've seen many snaps with 2024 RB [player_tooltip player_id='370255' first='Gage' last='Wright'] around, but he'll be graduating this year and will leave a huge hole to fill in 2024. Bartley and Lauderman could become quite the duo for their senior seasons and work as a running back by committee. The 5'9 200 Lauderman showed in limited action that he has a nice combination of speed and power. He could be the thunder to Bartley's lightning although Lauderman can move very well himself too. He runs hard who hits the hole with purpose and is a downhill runner who's going to fall forward. South will need linebacker bodies to step up next season too, and Lauderman can assist in that department as well. Although limited production up to this point, Lauderman is an under-the-radar RB to know in the state's biggest classification in 2024.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1015071"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Poca running back [player_tooltip player_id='1015071' first='Preston' last='Bonnett'] burst onto the scene in 2023 for the Dots during his junior season leading the team in all-purpose yards with 1,600 and 9 total touchdowns. Bonnett averaged 6.7 yards per carry while rushing for 1,200 yards and 6 touchdowns. He showed his athletic versatility in the passing game as well hauling in 22 passes for 321 yards and two more scores as their #3 receiver too. He's your classic scatback with good speed and fluid hips that can make defenders miss. Although getting his first varsity action of his career, Bonnett looked like a natural showcasing good vision and apparent instincts with the ball in his hands. Bonnett made several of our weekly standouts articles last season and is primed for an even bigger season in 2024 for his senior year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1126761"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"It'll be very interesting to see how the Fairmont Senior backfield plays out in 2024 with the graduation of top-ranked 2024 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='370355' first='Dylan' last='Ours'] and the addition of East Fairmont transfer RB [player_tooltip player_id='906668' first='Dominic' last='Fantasia']. There are a few other Polar Bears who are plenty talented enough to see carries next season including 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1126761' first='Chris' last='Wilson']. Wilson, like many other running backs in their deep group, would be a starter at a lot of schools in the state, but he'll have to fight for every ounce of playing time he gets next season. He'll see plenty of action on the defensive side of the ball too at linebacker, but with his 5'8 195 size and athletic prowess he translates better as a RB to the next level. In spot duty at RB last season, Wilson showed explosiveness at the position with a great burst. He has next-level speed and can be a home run hitter when he gets his opportunities. Wilson is likely a Top 100 athlete in the 2025 class, but with a limited sample size available, he's a bit of an unknown but intriguing prospect heading into the 2024 season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1126352"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A second 2025 Hedgesville running back to know on our Watch List is [player_tooltip player_id='1126352' first='Za'ki' last='Bryant']. Like [player_tooltip player_id='870659' first='Chaz' last='Collier'], Bryant also made the move to Hedgesville from Martinsburg last season and was productive for the Eagles. Bryant is a different style of running back compared to Collier and is more of a scatback. He's undersized at 5'5 155 but can make up for it with his athleticism and speed. As a smaller back, he can make it difficult for defenders to track him at the line of scrimmage and can work his way through traffic in a way most bigger backs can't. Bryant is slippery and can burst through the line of scrimmage before defenders can react or get a hand on him. He showed a nice burst and can cut suddenly to get upfield. Size lowers his ceiling a bit, but Bryant still has some upside that should make him a priority target for small colleges next season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d51bb37ef78"} /-->