Beehive Buzz: Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>In this edition of the Beehive Buzz, we cover some Running Backs to know for the offseason and upcoming 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402743"],"_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-676742c6c6496"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eka is an explosive three-down back, shows excellent speed, and will easily get to the edge. He has good lateral quickness and can make the first defender miss. Eka knows when to be patient and will allow his blocks to form and has excellent vision. He isn't a finesse back, he'll lower his pads and take on defenders to gain additional yards. Eka is one of the best-receiving backs in Utah and has multiple routes in his arsenal. He easily catches outside of his frame and shows tremendous athleticism weaving through traffic and stopping on a dime. Eka is a mismatch for opposing Linebackers trying to cover him, and he is a willing pass blocker who will take on a defender that outweighs him and does well holding up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148539"],"_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-676742c6c64ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fekitoa is an excellent three-down back who is a one-cut-and-go runner with good vision and change of direction. He does a good job at getting small behind his line and will get to the second level and make defenders miss. Fekitoa is a weapon in the receiving game and will line up out wide and ask to run routes past the line of scrimmage. He has natural soft hands and does not fight the ball, his ability to be a receiver makes him a nightmare for opposing players. He stands up well in pass protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1306775"],"_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-676742c6c6534"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tapa'atoutai is an exciting two-way player. As a runner, he shows excellent lateral quickness and transitions easily upfield. He has good vision and contact balance and finds himself at the second level easily. He has the quickness to get to the edge and is not just a between-the-tackles runner. Tapa'atoutai is a tough runner to bring down, he is the type of player who will wear defenses down, and come the second half, he gets better as defenders are tired of trying to gang tackle him. As an edge rusher, he has an excellent first step and utilizes his speed on opposing blockers. He can take on and shed his first blocker to get to his destination and has active hands as an edge rusher. He uses his closing speed to get to the Quarterback and is just as capable of dropping back in coverage and covering the flat. Overall, he is a great athlete and impactful on both sides of the ball.</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='1680730' first='Weston' last='Briggs']","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_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":"Corner Canyon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Chargers","_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-676742c6c65e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Briggs has a sturdy frame and build of a power back. His style matches his frame as he is a physical runner who is tough to bring down with arm tackles. Briggs displays good contact balance and vision to get to the second and third levels. Briggs has good wiggle and can change direction well for his size. While he doesn't have the statistical usage of a receiving back, he shows soft hands and is willing to catch outside of his frame. Briggs is a three-down back and good in the pass-blocking game, which won't limit him to being a first and second-down player. His power and physicality will be his calling card, but he has enough speed to get to the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558545"],"_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-676742c6c662c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Love does an excellent job making defenders miss and has a knack for getting into open space. He is a straight-line runner who gashes defenses quickly and picks up chunk yards. Love can take on defenders and won't shy away from contact. His explosive first step and ease to getting to his top gear quickly is his calling card and that allows him to clear the first level and get leverage on the second level where he can use his vision to get to the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->