2026 Rankings Update: Impact Watch List (RB’s)
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Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code PaulG30 at checkout! Maddox Merrill CA #WL RB #WL HEIGHT 5'10" WEIGHT 175 POS RB CLASS 2026 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Maddox Merrill Class 2026 Position RB Height 5'10" HS…
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Merrill was only able to play in about half of the 2023 season due to injury, but should have a huge bounce back season in 2024 for one of the better teams across the central valley in Clovis. He is a very explosive and fast back that is a natural pass catcher out of the backfield, and can also lineup in the slot and stretch the field vertically. Out of the backfield, he does tons of damage catching the ball and has a good open field burst with a third level gear and can make defenders miss in the open field with ease. He is a hard runner that sees the field well in tight spaces and is tough to bring down in one on one situations due to contact balance and wiggle. He is a true burner on the outside as well taking fly sweeps/tosses and can easily gain the edge and is always one of the fastest guys on the field, in a region with no shortage of speed. Look for Merrill to burst onto the scene this Fall.
Highlights
Davis is one of the more explosive runners in the region, and has elite open field speed and is a quick twitched runner that can also catch the ball out of the backfield and is a natural athlete out of the backfield. Through the first level, he can make defenders miss in traffic with good short area quickness/lateral agility while showing he can find small windows before bursting through. He is a natural zone runner that feels flow and can cutback against the grain, while also packing a punch for his size when gaining tough yards and driving through contact. During his second season campaign, he had over 700+ yards of total offense for Chaminade and scored 9 TD’s. He also was a elite returner as well and should crack into our rankings in the next update.
Edwards is a tough and compact runner with forward lean, can run through contact and excels at getting yards inside the tackles with a North and South running style. He has a nice initial burst through the first level, can make defenders miss in the hole and displays efficient vision in tight windows with cutback abilities in the open field. Edwards also is solid in pass protection and packs a punch against bigger defenders, while also a smooth pass catcher out of the backfield as well while getting upfield quickly. As he enters into the Varsity ranks for Serra, he should help that loaded backfield and be a name to note this fall.
Defrain is a big upright runner, but is a true downhill north and south back that likes to get vertical in a hurry and follows his blocks well through the first two levels. He is a very good sized kid with a powerful lower half, and can easily break arm/ankle tackles in space, running with good pad level and always keeping his legs driving through contact. Although lacking that elite third level speed at this point in his career, he makes up for it with his physical running style and straight forward path, chunking defenses with ease. As he continues to grow and develop, he could play a variety if different positions at the next level and should have a breakout season at the Varsity level in 2024.