4 Running Backs In The 2025 Class Who Can Bring Value To A Room

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='662338' first='Tayt' last='Jackson'] - Cloverdale - RB - 5'10" 175lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a fun ride for Jackson on the field throughout his career. He's never truly had 1 set position and moves around all over the field. He's their QB and while technically not an RB, as dynamic as he is being the dual-threat QB he is, there's been some chatter about moving him to tailback at the next level. He's got fantastic vision and elite speed to hit the big play. Time and time again, he can find a small crease, slip right through, and hit a big play. He's got a strong middle body and will fight his way to the ground as well. On top of that, he has soft hands and can come out of the backfield or be lined up wide. He then had his best year defensively on the backend. He's quick so he's got great range and can wrap up in the open field. 1131 all-purpose yards with 7 rushing TDs, 3 receiving TDs, and 24 solo tackles on defense while forcing 2 fumbles. Football is about guys who show up, make plays, and come from nowhere. Jackson has all of those traits and elite versatility that should allow him to find a place on the field somewhere moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter:<strong> @TaytJackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1196527' first='Cameron' last='Boone'] - Tri - RB - 5'8" 190lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boone is a compact back who carries his weight well. He's got better top-end speed than defenses seem to anticipate and allows him to get the edge more than they'd like. He's got decent vision and doesn't have much-wasted movement. He likes to get North and South and find a hole to run through. He's going to run through arm tackles and DBs who hesitate in the open field. It seems like he works in the weight room quite a bit just because of how balanced he is on contact and his ability to absorb the blows. I don't worry about him handling a big workload and neither does his coaching staff. Give him the ball, let him wear down the defense, and gash them when they least expect it. With 1133 rushing yards and 15 TDs and just under 7 YPC, it's clear why they got Boone so involved. Boone is talented, knows his game, and plays to his strengths which is exactly what you need to be doing when given your opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Boone42_Cam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1196530' first='Thomas' last='Burda'] - Vaparaiso - RB - 5'9" 210lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burda runs with the swagger that you just have to love because he gets more energy as the game gets going. He heats up and as the game goes on, he's more willing to lower the shoulders and deliver the boom behind his 210lbs frame. He's not afraid to initiate contact and can burst through at the same time. He keeps his legs churning when he makes contact downfield as well. He's very simple in his movements and doesn't try to get cute or bounce the ball outside when there's nothing there. He'll take what he can, move the ball forward, and live to fight another down when he has to. Sometimes, that's the best play you can make as an RB. He's able to step up in pass protection and pick up the blitz as well. While he could use some work with the mechanics of it, being willing to stick your nose in there is half the battle. Burda is coming off of 2 similar seasons where he's put up a total of 1726 rushing yards and 15 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Burda_Thomas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553037' first='Diego' last='Hernandez'] - Rensselaer Central - RB - 5'8" 170lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each year of his high school career to this point, Hernandez has improved. Last season he went nuclear and had one of the best seasons out of anyone in the state. Being a small football school, it's gone mostly unnoticed until now. What he's able to do with the ball in his hands is impressive and you can see why they get him involved in multiple facets. His shifty and quick reactions in the hole allow him to find an escape hatch and get out the backdoor sometimes, even when it seems closed from the outside. He's just slippery and guys have a hard time getting their hands on him when he's in the open field. The other issue the defenses face is he's versatile and can come out of the backfield. He had a fairly impressive TD grab over the middle of the field against Griffith Senior from the slot position. 1688 rushing yards and 24 TDs with 176 receiving yards and 3 TDs through the air is what he accomplished last season, but he's talented and could do even more as a Senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@DiegoHe04645450</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->