Groundbreaking RBs from North NJ

Onto my favorite position in football, the running back position. While A lot of RBs in north NJ have already been discovered and are playing for some of the top private schools in the state, there is much more talent to be uncovered. After reviewing every class for the running back position, here are six of the top RBs from northern New Jersey that deserve our attention.    If you're looking for a running back that is the full package, look no further than [player_tooltip player_id='1021055' first='Emmanuel' last='De La Hoz']. Emmanuel made big play after big play in 2023, on his way to rushing for 1211 yards and 9 touchdowns. Emmanuel has that explosiveness in him that turns a 5 yard run into a 60 yarder. He has a uncanny ability to break through the first line of defense and make his way into the open field with speed. Busting through the defensive line, Emmanuel has demonstrated a rare balance of strength and quickness up the middle.   Emmanuel keeps his legs churning as defenders rip for his jersey has he passes by. Breaking through arm tackles with ease, Emmanuel also utilizes that quickness that I mentioned earlier to bounce the run to the sideline and find open space. Emmanuel may not have the fastest top end speed, but from everything I've seen, he makes up for it with his playmaking capabilities.        [player_tooltip player_id='379045' first='Isa' last='Thomas'] has that sneaky speed you need to look out for. Exploding out of the backfield, Isa gets down the field quickly and puts himself in a position to go one-on-one with a defender in the open field. Isa's quick step allows him to pivot and change directions with speed, forcing defenders to whiff on tackles. Though Isa is on the lighter side, he has shown that he has strength in his legs to continue marching forward down the field.   What may be most impressive is Isa's balance and ability to stay upright as defenders zero in on him. Isa can absorb the force of the tackle and redistribute it, rarely going down from a hit from up high. Rushing for 361 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023, Isa has a lot to build on next season.        Right off of the bat, I think [player_tooltip player_id='1068948' first='Kalvin' last='Thomas'] is underrated in his ranking. It only takes a few seconds from his highlight tape to see how electric Kalvin can be. A gritty back, Kalvin's run style is very different from the typical back. There is a little chaos in his running style, making it a challenge for defenses to figure out which direction Kalvin is heading and what he will do next. He is very explosive the moment the ball touches is hands, being able to make split second decisions in very little time. Kalvin's vision allows him to see the flow of the defense in his periphery, giving him the ability to adjustment on the fly and change directions to find the best path forward.   Kalvin is one of those running backs that will fight for every yard. Often bringing the hit to the defender, Kalvin can punish a tackler if they come in too high. He is one of those backs you will see carrying defenders as he chugs on down field.      A player I got the chance to see perform at the NYNJ Combine, Sylas proved on the field that he is a reliable, "do it all" running back coming out of Boonton. Another player that I think deserves way more recognition, Sylas has consistently put up big stats over his career. Amassing a staggering 1362 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in 2023, Sylas dominated as the main source of yardage for the Bombers.   Sylas is dangerous in his versatility as a runner. He can lower his shoulder and fight for yardage in the trenches, but also can break into the open field with speed and outrun the competition. Boonton does a great job moving Sylas around in the backfield to give him the best opportunity to flourish. Whether he lines up as a fullback or comes across in motion from the wing, Sylas is put into position to utilize his skills to his fullest. Though Sylas is a shorter back, that doesn't stop him from mowing defenders over. Sylas is a strong runner that is built up in his upper body, allowing him to deliver punishing hits to defenders. This is an every down back that schools should get more familiar with. Look Sylas' direction if you want a back that can handle a large workload.        One of the most successful backs from a year ago in north Jersey, [player_tooltip player_id='1043545' first='Tyler' last='Cumming'] is entering 2024 with the hopes of bringing his program a state title. There are few players in the state that are essential to a team's success, but that's just what Tyler is. Rushing for 1467 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall, Tyler displayed dominance on the ground as few defenders could stop him once he got cooking. Tyler is aggressive in his running style, often carrying defenders and breaking through tackles as if there was nothing in his path. Tyler is another one of those backs that doesn't get rattled after first contact. You'll often find defenders bouncing off of him as he remains on his feet.   Tyler is not only a challenge to bring to the ground, but has shown that he can react in an instant and cut away from a defender waiting for him in the backfield. With that type of quickness on his feet Tyler can avoid danger and find an open lane to navigate through. Tyler can make that one cut, burst into the open field, and be ready to take on the next defended in his way. Look for not only a big performance out of Tyler in 2024, but a big year out of Mount Olive as well.      One of the top backs returning for their junior season in 2024, [player_tooltip player_id='1042022' first='Dylan' last='Roemmele'] is the final RB that you are really need to get familiar with before the season starts. Playing for Pequannock, Dylan did it all as he amassed over 1000 offensive yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023. Dylan is in a position to really thrive within Pequannock's offense this season. Similar to the situation [player_tooltip player_id='991826' first='Sylas' last='White'] is in, Dylan will be a back that gets a ton of opportunities in 2024 with the offense predominately lining up out of the Wing-T.   One of the most important characteristics of of Dylan's game is his ability hit the ground running and to not dance around in the backfield. Dylan understands the offensive play flow and trusts in his linemen to open up a path for him to take off down field. Dylan really has a quick pickup out of the backfield too. A flash running by the first line of defense, Dylan can be in the secondary before the defense even realizes it. On top of his speed, Dylan has shown he can run downhill and break through tackles when running up the gut. There is a lot to look forward to up in Pequannock.

Onto my favorite position in football, the running back position. While A lot of RBs in north NJ have already been discovered and are playing for some of the top private schools in the state, there is much more talent to be uncovered. After reviewing every class for the running back position, here are six of the top RBs from northern New Jersey that deserve our attention.