Rising Running Backs to know for the upcoming season

In this edition, we unveil Running Backs who'll make a name for themselves in the upcoming season. Some will be making an impact as a complete package and others will be earning an opportunity for more playing time, get to know them now!    Hamilton is an absolute force and a fun player to watch on film and in person at field level. Simply put, he is a weapon and is deployed as one. Hamilton is a pure athlete and is used as a chess piece. He'll line up in the backfield, in the slot, out wide, be motioned in or out, be a returner, and even take direct snaps. Hamilton runs as if he's shot out of a cannon and wastes little time getting to the second level where he showcases excellent vision and elusiveness. He has great lateral quickness and is a shifty runner. Hamilton showcases juice and wiggle as a runner and is a space creator, if he gets daylight it's a foot race to the endzone. Hamilton is a home run threat with excellent speed but he isn't just a one-trick pony, he shows physicality in his game, will lower his pads to run over a defender, and will work hard for the tough yards. As a receiver, he has excellent soft hands and does not fight the ball, he will easily catch outside of his frame and run actual routes in the slot. He'll work screens and swing passes just as well as an out and posts, he shows creativity after the catch. Hamilton shows excellent body control on sideline grabs and is a versatile piece for West High. He's a mismatch in the receiving game, he's too quick and shifty for linebacker and too physical for slot corners. His overall game reminds me of a Jahmyr Gibbs type of player. He is a player that is being under-recruited and overlooked. He is an exceptional talent and should be looked at by Power-Four programs and at worst, be recruited regionally. I expect the offers to come in.     Taylor has exceptional size and can add 10-15 lbs without limiting his agility and speed by the time his High School days are over. He is a physical one-cut, downhill runner with excellent vision and will lower his pads and run over a defender. Once Taylor gets to the second level, he showcases excellent lateral agility and is a home run threat. With his size and speed, Taylor excels in between the tackles where his physicality and toughness come in and cornerbacks coming up will have to make a business decision. He also has the elusiveness and wiggle in unison with his speed to get to the edge, where he is a runaway freight train. Taylor shows good enough hands in the receiving game and his hands don't fight the ball, he is quick to get upfield and pick up chunk yards. With a full season under his belt, there's no reason why he shouldn't be one of the elite backs in the state and someone to garner attention with offers in the recruiting circles.     Tahi is an elusive, athletic player who showcases excellent agility and speed. He easily gets to the edge and is dangerous in space. Tahi is a one-cut runner who showcases good lateral quickness, and excellent vision, once past the first level he weaves his way through traffic and has good jump cuts. He is a runner who works between the tackles and shows good contact balance. There is little wasted motion to his style, he looks to get upfield quickly. Tahi brings another dimension with his receiving work, soft hands with the ability to catch outside his frame. What I appreciate most about his game is an underlooked aspect at this stage across all of High School football, his pass protection. Tahi is excellent in this area, he'll take on an incoming Linebacker who outweighs him and will stonewall him, and he'll step up and knock an oncoming rusher off his pathway. He bides additional time for his Quarterback and he'll come up to chip and help out his fellow lineman. Overall, Tahi is one of the most complete backs in the state and a player that will be recruited regionally, and wouldn't be surprised to see him get Power-Four offers.     Ofisa has exceptional size and can tack on additional weight without limiting his abilities. He is a physical, tough, down-hill runner who showcases great power and contact balance. He is a between-the-tackles runner with the juice to make defenders miss but is a bull in a China shop with the ball in his hands. Ofisa is a force to bring down and he fights for every yard and will make defenders earn their tackles statistics. As powerful as he is, he displays soft hands in the receiving game and adds an extra element to an offense. With this physicality and lateral agility, he would make an exceptional EDGE rusher if he focused on that as his sole position. Ofisa is an exciting prospect who should be regionally recruited.     Harris is an angry runner who blends running between the tackles and getting to the edge for space. He showcases good power and will fight for additional yards, the first tackler on the scene will often not be able to bring him down. He'll drag some defenders and shows good contact balance and the ability to bounce off a would-be tackler to pick up additional yards. Harris is a straight-line runner with good vision and will make defenders miss in space. He has a good utilization of power and agility which makes him an excellent runner and someone who works to move the chains but can bounce a run outside and take it to the house.    Those were some exciting runners to know for the upcoming season. Next time, we'll cover some exciting receivers.

In this edition, we unveil Running Backs who'll make a name for themselves in the upcoming season. Some will be making an impact as a complete package and others will be earning an opportunity for more playing time, get to know them now!