Section V: Senior Running Back Standouts

There is not an area in New York with the density of college-level running backs that you will find outside of Rochester, NY   Section V Football has produced a lot of successful college running backs.   There are guys currently having a TON of success at EVERY LEVEL of CFB.   Nathan Carter - Michigan State/UConn (P4/G5)   Freddie Brock - Georgia State/Maine (G5/FCS)   Rushawn Baker - Elon/Bucknell (FCS)   Caron Robinson - Edinboro/Buffalo (D2/G5)   Matt Brantley - Utica (D3)   This group of backs is some of the top available RBs in the 2025 class—some of whom are still in the playoffs as Sectionals are currently underway.    Robinson has been one of the top running back prospects in New York for three full seasons now. His playoff performances alone have been extraordinary, and he consistently shows the ability to elevate his game against top opponents. If not for a high ankle sprain this year, Robinson likely would have pushed the 5,000 career-yard mark with a deep playoff run.   Robinson is a very elusive runner. He has some of the best jump cuts of any 2025 running back in the Northeast. The short-area burst and quickness are present throughout his film. He has great instincts, especially when it comes to avoiding tacklers. He uses the stiff arm well and does a good job of limiting large changes of direction down the field to keep momentum in speed—aka, he doesn't do too much.   He has some versatility as he plays Safety as well and excels at the position, but I think his best value at the next level comes as a back who can win on early downs between the tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield.     Freeman is another two-way player who can play SAF, RB, or WR or potentially grow into an LB/Rover position at the next level. Freeman's game is all about explosive movements and what looks on tape like some good long speed in space. His Running Back production was enough to make him a necessary inclusion on this list, but I certainly think you can make a case that his best position is at Safety, where he shows some good defensive instincts and open-field tackling on tape.     Sneed Jr. is probably the best pass catcher out of the backfield on this list. The East Rochester RB has been a big-time multi-year contributor and has several really impressive long runs this year. He is used heavily in the screen game, and his game is largely successful because of what he can do in space—elusive in space and the ability to change direction and find open space consistently. There are some WR alignments in his tape and I think that versatility translates because of his athleticism.     Mullins has been one of the top performers for a James Monroe team that is filled with playmakers on the offensive side of the ball - a 250+ 4TD performance in Rd 1 of sectionals was one of his better performances this year - Mullins is a slippery runner who breaks tackles at a high rate. He is a quality receiving back as well and can have an impact in the return game with his quickness. He does a lot of things well, but what makes it all work is his vision; he follows blocks extremely well, is patient as a runner, and makes really good cuts to play off OL leverage.     Smith does not have any film out from this season - but last season was Section V's leading rusher, and this year, in 5 games had 1000+ yards on the ground alone. Smith plays at a lower level in Class D but is exceptional in his production at that level. He has solid RB measurables, and his film this year would probably be very similar to the 10 minutes of tape he put out from his junior year where he simply was the best athlete on the field at all times.     Green is a smaller back who is elusive and quick and was the leading RB rusher for East for a second year in a row - the offense took a heavy shift towards a run-first committee like backfield this season, so Green was used a lot on outside runs and put in motion from the slot to get him the ball in space - he is quicky with some twitch to his game and does a good job of consistently running with a good motor.     Yeomas is one of the only true power backs on this list - he is a direct downhill runner that uses his size and physical running style to win extra yards. He has a strong, stiff arm - which comes from a well-built upper body and runs through arm tackles with the strength in his lower half. He is not a short area quickness back, but just because he is big and runs directly doesn't mean he is slow. There are a few clips on tape where he really gets moving in space.     The second Irondequoit back on this list - Wynn, has been effective as an upperclassman for Irondequoit with a back-to-back years as a 600+ yard rusher. Wynn has a compact build at 190lbs - he is a direct one-cut style runner who shows good burst and some solid long speed - he has some punt returns, and jet sweeps that show his athleticism but also looks like an effective goalline back.     Nesmith does not have an updated film from this season, but he is a really quality producer for McQuaid. Last year, Nesmith showed he was a back who had the elusiveness and runs with a good motor. He is a physical runner who is more likely to put his shoulder through you 1v1 than try to avoid contact and just like a few other backs on this list, he showed several reps catching the ball out of the backfield as a Jr - no updated film and McQuaid does not post stats but I will circle back on this as I see McQuaid play this weekend in Sectionals.     Comella, out of Canandaigua, has a 5-game highlight out this season, and while I don't have numbers on him, the film is really solid. He is a long-strider with a one-cut upfield style of play and is effective out of the backfield as a pass catcher - his best trait is easily his patience with the ball - he doesn't outrun his blockers, and in some of the Wing-T Gun type stuff on his film, he really lets blocks develop well.     Frank, who was a key player in a really successful Fairport rushing attack, is another two-way guy who also made a ton of plays from the safety position. Frank shows good instincts on both sides of the ball. While DB may end up being in his best position at the next level due to his ability to tackle in the open field and his closing speed, he is a very slippery runner who navigates traffic between the tackles well.     I don't have numbers on Duncan IV, but he has a few individual game clips out this season - and combine that with his stuff from last season. There are some intriguing flashes here. At 6'2 200 he easily is the biggest back on this list - he is a physical runner who shows some open-field athleticism. He is an effective blocker as well as Haverling runs a lot of 2-back sets where Duncan IV can end up blocking.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bonus Mentions - The Committed Guys</h2>    Battle has been committed to Mercyhurst since summer but has continued to pick up some D2 offers since his commitment - one of the most efficient athletes at the position, Battle is a true three-down back. Call it change of tempo, his change of direction + patience make him so difficult to tackle. Battle is as good as any back in the area and his production and film is what pushed him far up the rankings.     He is worth mentioning because of his success this year and because he is not technically a football commit - Parks, a Dartmouth Lacrosse Commit, has been the best-producing RB in Section V this season. His Junior tape was solid RB tape - this year, Parks has been on another level - he is one of the better overall athletes in Rochester, as evidenced by his Lacrosse acumen, but has been huge in the success of a currently undefeated Brighton team.

There is not an area in New York with the density of college-level running backs that you will find outside of Rochester, NY