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Too tough to tackle tailbacks

Too tough to tackle tailbacks
Photo: Michael Colburn https://x.com/ColburnMichael0
Bryan Ault
Bryan Ault April 4, 2025 @ 03:53 PM
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In this article:

Landon Young
Landon Young 6'0" | 220 lbs | RB | 2026
OH
Michael Colburn
Michael Colburn 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB | 2027
OH
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below we spotlight five running backs - in all four corners of the Buckeye State - who are hard to bring down for opposing defenses. Some of these running backs are under-the-radar prospects who are good but don't have the offers to show for it. Here are five names to know:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Justin Blackley Jr. ","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_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":"Hughes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-67f046dd0382b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">All conference two-year starter.  Tough between-the-tackles running back.  Size is marginal but he makes it work with a compact, muscular frame and ability to run through contact.  Strong around the goal line.</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":"Christian Mahone","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"140","_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":"Fitch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-67f046dd038f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Has a short but compact frame with good burst through hole.  Can take the ball on sweeps and has good speed to turn the corner.  Strong with getting positive yards when he's decisive, one-cut-and-go tailback.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1136187"],"_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-67f046dd0394d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Strong runner, compact frame.  Good off-tackle tailback who can make defenders miss in space.  Has above-average contact balance and a thick, well-put-together frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1434414"],"_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-67f046dd039a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tough inside tailback with good size.  Can bounce off would-be tackles and stay balanced.  Strong inside runner compared to running off tackle.  Lowers shoulder and bulldozes through defenders.</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":"Gavin Ryan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_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":"Grove City","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-67f046dd03a53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tough ballcarrier who finishes forward on contact. Also a kick returner; not a home-run threat but gets the job done. Gets positive yards on contact, finishes forward, above-average vision in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Below we spotlight five running backs - in all four corners of the Buckeye State - who are hard to bring down for opposing defenses. Some of these running backs are under-the-radar prospects who are good but don't have the offers to show for it. Here are five names to know:

Justin Blackley Jr.

Justin Blackley Jr.

HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 185
POS RB
CLASS 2026

Justin Blackley Jr.

School: Hughes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Christian Mahone

Christian Mahone

HEIGHT 5'5"
WEIGHT 140
POS RB
CLASS 2027

Christian Mahone

School: Fitch
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Michael Colburn

Michael Colburn

OH
RB
HEIGHT 5'8"
WEIGHT 180
POS RB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Michael
Colburn RB
Class
2027
Height
5'8"
Weight
180
HS
Avon
|
OH
Too tough to tackle tailbacks
Strong runner, compact frame.  Good off-tackle tailback who can make defenders miss in space.  Has above-average contact balance...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Michael Colburn

Instagram Twitter
State: Ohio
School: Avon
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Landon Young

Landon Young

OH
RB
HEIGHT 6'0"
WEIGHT 220
POS RB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Landon
Young RB
Class
2026
Height
6'0"
Weight
220
HS
West Clermont
|
OH
Too tough to tackle tailbacks
Tough inside tailback with good size.  Can bounce off would-be tackles and stay balanced.  Strong inside runner compared...
Written by Bryan Ault
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Landon Young

Twitter
State: Ohio
School: West Clermont
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Gavin Ryan

Gavin Ryan

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 180
POS RB
CLASS 2027

Gavin Ryan

School: Grove City
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
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