2025 Film Room: Southern Illinois Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue to move along with our breakdown of prospects in the 2025 class.&nbsp; Next up we dive into the running back film from prospects across the state!&nbsp; Here is <strong>Film Room: 2025 Southern Illinois Running Backs</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201724' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr (Belleville Althoff – 6'0” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want an absolute superstar running back?&nbsp; How about Hill who racked up 1788 yards (13.6 YPC) and 25 touchdowns on the ground.&nbsp; Also had 163 receiving yards and a TD in the pass game.&nbsp; Plays some safety as well defensively where he impacts with his athleticism including a couple pick six scores.&nbsp; The back is effective lining up out of the slot where he can make plays on quick routes. Impactful in the return game as well with a couple of scores on kickoffs.&nbsp; Strong and athletic back that has all the tools you look for.&nbsp; Such easy acceleration with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Love his patience as a runner.&nbsp; Let's blocks set up and then explodes through the hole. Sudden cuts and feel for finding the weakness in the run defense.&nbsp; Can change direction on a dime.&nbsp; Elite home run threat with 50 yard TDs coming on the regular.&nbsp; It is almost like a video game at times watching Hill play.&nbsp; Has vision, power, shake, and long speed.&nbsp; Breaks tackles. Always moving forward on contact to get those extra few yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='278888' first='TaRyan' last='Martin'] (East St. Louis 5'8” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'9" running back from East St. Louis is one of the best in the state.&nbsp; Compact back with good strength and home run speed.&nbsp; One cut and go. Takes great angles. Burst through the hole and avoids tacklers in space. Runs with power.&nbsp; Spins off tackles for long gains. Shifty in tight spaces and has a tendency to make guys miss. Power 5 prospect!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179193' first='Larevious' last='Woods'] (East St. Louis 5'9” 195)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another star running back for the Flyers that had 1,123 all purpose yards including 23 TD on the season.&nbsp; Quick cuts and makes guys miss in the hole. Explodes through line of scrimmage. Loves to bounce it out to the perimeter where he can use his speed. Can break tackles. Effective in screen game and competes in pass pro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331483' first='Chase' last='Reynolds'] (Collinsville – 5'11” 181)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reynolds has excellent vision and patience.&nbsp; Make sense as he is a point guard on the hardwood.&nbsp; Gets behind his blocks and shows creativity downfield on his runs.&nbsp; Nice size and strength along with being a good all-around athlete.&nbsp; At times will line up as a wildcat QB and is also a solid receiving threat especially out of the slot.&nbsp; Good hands and smooth route runner.&nbsp; Gadget guy that you can line up at a number of different spots!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292296' first='DeMarzion' last='Graham'] (Carbondale – 6'0” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham looks like one of the better backs from southern Illinois.&nbsp; Fluid runner that has solid speed.&nbsp; Bounces off defenders on the interior and likes to get to the perimeter. Good pass catcher and has explosive speed in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135479' first='Kaden' last='Rakers'] (Breese Central – 5'11” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rakers racked up 1,132 all purpose yards along with 13 touchdowns as a junior for Breese Central.&nbsp; Strong and physical back that is secure with the ball.&nbsp; Definition of a guy that is going to follow the play getting behind the big dudes in front of him and letting them lead the way getting what he can.&nbsp; After they clear the initial path he can make a guy miss or lay the hammer down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greyson Brewer (Southwestern – 6'1” 182)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brewer is a back with good size and strength.&nbsp; A lot of their designed runs are to get him out on the perimeter.&nbsp; Runs really hard and has a knack for beating the defender to the edge.&nbsp; Powerful finisher that will lay the hammer and keep his legs churning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->