2025 Film Room: South Suburbs 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 South Suburbs Running Backs</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331455' first='Myles' last='Mitchell'] (Richards – 5'10” 195)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell has great speed exploding down the field.  Quick and sudden burst through the hole and has excellent downfield vision setting up where he is going.  Runs out of the wildcat at times and is a good pass catcher on dump offs or screens.  Also showed some potential as a kickoff return man.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819695' first='Zion' last='Gist'] (Lincoln Way East – 6'1” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liked what we saw on tape quite a bit from this 6'1" back from Lincoln Way East.&nbsp; Good size and fluidity. Quick cut and go guy that finds the crease and then gets up field. Glider that gets past defenders with ease in the open field.&nbsp; Likes to bounce runs to the outside. Soft hands and has potential to be a nice pass catcher at the next level.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1117894' first='John' last='McAuliffe'] (Marist – 6'0” 190)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAuliffe has a ton of juice.&nbsp; Love how well he finishes his runs off.&nbsp; Straight power running over and through guys.&nbsp; Solid speed and kicks it into another gear breaking away downfield.&nbsp; Tracks the ball well as a pass catcher and can line up on the outside running deep routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1292307' first='Keegan' last='Farnaus'] (Joliet Catholic – 5'8” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really fun film to watch here.&nbsp; He has some juice as a fluid runner that has home run ability.&nbsp; A ton of long runs and accelerates through the line of scrimmage.&nbsp; Has solid patience setting up his blocks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299524' first='Chase' last='Rivera'] (Peotone – 5'11” 195)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Works out of a three headed backfield.&nbsp; The 5'11" back showed some burst getting to the perimeter for a couple of home runs plays along with breaking one up the middle following his blockers.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='331595' first='Tyler' last='Tulk'] (Lincoln Way Central – 5'10” 190)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tulk is a back that works out of the triple option.&nbsp; Solid on sweeps to the opposite side.&nbsp; Breaks tackles and keeps fighting for extra yards.&nbsp; Also showed some route running potential.&nbsp; Scat back that can maybe play some in the slot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815910' first='Ryan' last='Wulff'] (Yorkville – 5'9” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yorkville running back is a smaller back that runs really hard.&nbsp; Keeps legs churning and follows his blocks.&nbsp; Solid vision and is secure with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120462' first='Jayden' last='Banks'] (Homewood Flossmoor – 5'8” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks is an offensive weapon.&nbsp; Only 5'8" he can line up at running back, slot, or be a gadget guy.&nbsp; Probably best as a scat back. Solid vision and good speed when running the ball hiding behind his blockers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Larry Stringham (Joliet Catholic – 5'11” 210)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stringham is a well built back at 210 pounds that is more of a full back type or H-Back probably at the next level. Can see him being a bruising ball carrier in short line situations. Nose for the endzone. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield on designed throws like screens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129631' first='Preston' last='Coleman'] (Joliet Catholic – 5'9”)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another back in the Joliet Catholic three running back attack.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that can kick it to the outside.&nbsp; Best when he gets in space.&nbsp; Kick return ability gives him some more versatility for the school that gets him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Rodriguez (Peotone – 5'9” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez racked up 1141 yards and 21 TDs rushing this past season out of Peotone's triple option attack. While maybe not the fastest back he takes good angles and has a feel for finding open grass.&nbsp; Solid pass catcher.&nbsp; Also contributed some on special teams as a kick returner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->