Checking in on our Highest-Ranked Junior Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're at the point in the season where prospects are beginning to release early-season highlights. A lot of prospects have Weeks 1-3 highlights, and most of our highest-ranked Junior RBs have released some tape. Today, I'll be taking a look at tape from some of our highest-ranked Junior Running Backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148693"],"_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-66eaf96a85134"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Currently the #2 ranked Running Back in our rankings, Kory has already strung together a few impressive performances. The tape below showcases his performance against DeWitt, who usually has a great run defense. Play #2 (0:17) shows why he's a Power 4 prospect. Upon receiving the handoff, Kory waits for his blocks to develop, then he explodes through the hole and burns a second-level defender on his way to a touchdown. The very next play, you see even more of that explosiveness and his ability to quickly bounce it outside and score. At 0:42, Kory showcases his impressive contact balance. Especially for a running backs who's considered uber-athletic, any amount of contact balance is extremely impressive for a high school prospect. Needless to say, Kory has proved his ranking and will remain a top-10 prospect in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18048383/66d1f577fb154815bddd33a4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eaf96a852ab"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["206418"],"_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-66eaf96a852f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm still waiting for [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry'] to earn more offers. In my eyes, he's a MAC prospect, at the very least. Trough three weeks of play, Jayden has shown that same explosiveness that I'm used to seeing. Against an incredibly good defense, Jayden was able to consistently make plays. Take the first highlight as an example- Jayden explodes through traffic, breaks several tackles, and turns what would be a 3-yard gain into an explosive 15-yard rush. You'll see it time and time again against Rockford. Jayden is one of the most explosive, fastest running backs in the state and possesses insanely good contact balance. In addition, Jayden has a few defensive highlights, where he looks as explosive as ever. Jayden is undoubtably a top-25 Junior in Michigan and I remain very bullish on his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16847249/66e510a59447c8625afe6696' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eaf96a85315"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["307683"],"_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-66eaf96a85351"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We are witnessing Tomarion's breakout season. Up until this season, I thought Tomarion had incredibly good traits but generally lacked experience as a running back. This season, he's finally showing some good vision, open-field athleticism, and power. His first running highlight (0:34) shows excellent explosiveness up the middle and a little athleticism, getting him past the second-level defender. The next highlight at 0:54 further displays his explosiveness and top speed. Tomarion still has a ways to go until I consider him a polished running back, but he's 100% showing improvement so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17833272/66e6ea7cbc4a0a59d228af83' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eaf96a85370"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148704"],"_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-66eaf96a853aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Talk about a breakout season- Donovan has been one of if not the most dominant running back in Michigan through three weeks of play. The first highlight (below) is probably the most impressive play of anyone on this list. On the pitch, Donovan cuts back inside, jukes out half the defense, breaks a tackle, and earns one of the most impressive touchdowns I've ever seen. You can see it time and time again on his tape- Donovan is an incredibly talented athlete in the open field. Give him space, and he always has an opportunity to break big. On top of that, there are instances of impressive contact balance. If someone attempts an arm tackle on Donovan, he'll more often than not run right through it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a pretty small sample size, but this is looking like a major breakout season for Donovan. I'd be shocked if Donovan doesn't earn several more offers after this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17786711/66e83ba883384dbe0f02a379' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eaf96a853c8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["905876"],"_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-66eaf96a85401"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lastly, I want to check in on Garlands. I've watched Garlands on several occasions throughout the offseason, and I have a very good understanding of the type of player he is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching his tape against Heritage, I see some noticeable improvements. First off, I know that the receiving game was a point of emphasis for Garlands. His first highlight showcases some of that improved ability as he receives the ball in the flat and takes the quick screen for a first down. At 0:15, you can see Garlands have some solid contact balance. Although he went down, I appreciate the fight. At 0:26, Garlands takes another screen for big yardage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just going off this one game, I'm pleased from what I'm seeing from Garlands. A bit more speed and contact balance would send Garland's game into the stratosphere. For now, he's 100% earned his ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17962424/66e0473a107b5557f8c722d7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66eaf96a8541f"} /-->