2024 South Central RB standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again, we diverge into the MN South Central division to take a look at the biggest RB names in the division to watch this season. I'm excited about this group, as the South Central has some of the best RB prospects in the state, and there are also a couple names that should be on the watchlist moving forward as potential breakout candidates. Here are 6 of the top RBs in the MN South Central division this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["234777"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db82577"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='234777' first='Elijah' last='Johnson'] is coming off a spectacular junior season, in which he ran for 1487 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground en route to earning All-District honors. With a 4.56 40 yard dash time, Johnson is exceptionally fast when he breaks into the open. Johnson is one of the most elusive RBs in the state, being a very slippery player to tackle, and he's been extremely sharp with his cuts. While he often attacks lanes around the defense, Johnson isn't afraid of playing through contact, bouncing off of defenders and he throws a mean stiff-arm. Johnson has received D2 offers from Bemidji State and Winona State, and he's also received a D1 offer from St. Thomas. Fairmont's offense will continue revolving around Johnson as they look to push for a state championship win in 2024 after coming just short last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["234867"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db825d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='234867' first='Jacari' last='Swinea'] is one of the most interesting athlete prospects that I've seen, with reports listing him as a QB, WR, DB, and return specialist, though he seemed to do a lot more last season on the ground. Swinea was often involved in the HB toss, or lined-up in wildcat formation running power-runs. Either way, Swinea was difficult to tackle, and showed great elusiveness and balance as he broke several long runs last season. His frame also made him the perfect option for the HB screen game, as runs route out of the backfield like a WR and can break into the open very easily. Swinea has recently committed to Sioux Falls, where he will take his multi-purpose talents to bolster the Cougars' roster. Swinea should once against stand out in 2024 for Worthington as the team's swiss-army knife.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207713"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db82667"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1207713' first='Mason' last='Adamek'] earned all-district honors in 2024 after rushing for 1105 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground last season. Adamek is a nimble runner, and is a shifty player who cuts and bounces around defenders with ease. Adamek shows great vision when seeing which lanes to attack at the line. Adamek is especially dangerous running the outside sweep and is solid as a screen option. Adamek has received D3 offers from Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Wisconsin-River Falls. Adamek will remain as a massive problem for defenses playing Jordan for one more season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mason Eickhoff","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Marshall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db8270e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason Eickhoff had significant growth last season in the lead back role for the Tigers last season. Eickhoff clocked an impressive 4.5 40 yard dash time, which helped him break out several long runs last season. Eickhoff proves equally effective running laterally and running straight through the trenches, and shows great vision in the backfield. Eickhoff also has been used as a kick returner, showing solid potential as a multi-purpose player. Eickhoff might be the most underrated name among this group to watch this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1582495' first='Clay' last='Malchow']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Jackson County Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db827b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1582495' first='Clay' last='Malchow'] has been an excellent player to watch on both sides of the ball. Malchow ran for 308 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry last season, while adding 37 tackles and 2 INTs playing at Safety. On the ground, Malchow has been a straightforward smashmouth RB who runs hard and will drag defenders with him as he pushes for extra yards. Malchow plays with a low center of gravity and lowers the shoulder to weather contact. Malchow is also a reliable option in the passing game, and he shouldn't be ignored by the secondary, as he could get open downfield for a long reception. Malchow has received offers from both Dordt and Northwestern College. Malchow will once again be a reliable double threat for the Huskies as they look to contend for the state title in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"George Doherty","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Le Sueur-Henderson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b8b0db8283b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">George Doherty is on the watchlist as one of the biggest breakout candidates to watch in the division this year. While he doesn't have much film, Doherty's size and frame at his age is stunning, and he was a standout last season on both sides of the ball last season playing at RB and MLB for the Giants. Doherty is also a captain for the wrestling team, having posted a 49-13 record. I can't wait to see how Doherty utilizes his size and power on the field in 2024, and he should be earning a high ranking on the prospect leaderboard by the end of his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->