SMSB Wayne State Camp: Running Back Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend, Sound Mind Sound Body and Wayne State University hosted one of the biggest recruiting events in the country. In terms of running backs, 150+ dudes showed up and showed out. In session 2 alone, there are 61 Running Backs on my roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Needless to say, it was impossible for me to get a look at all of these running backs, let alone a GOOD look. So, these are all going to be quick impressions of a few players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1514654"],"_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-683e30d817cfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My top guy when it came to drill work, and factually the best Class of 2028 RB when it came to all-around testing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched Fogo back in January of 2024. Here's what I had to say about him at that time.<br>__________________________<br>"Fogo is one of those guys that aces the eye test. And to find out he's in the class of 2028? Wow. He's an incredibly muscular and dense running back who already looks like an upperclassman who's had years in the weight room. Once he stepped on the field for drills, I admit his athleticism was a bit underwhelming. He needs to work on speed, change of direction, and making moves in the open field. 1-on-1 against linebackers, he looked like he was trying to do too much. Sometimes, a simple 1-move juke is the best and quickest move. I'm very interested in seeing his development in the coming years wether that's in the US or Canada!"<br>__________________________<br>Most of the time, I see major areas of improvement in young prospects. I did with Fogo, and wow, he really patched up those weaknesses. From a promising incoming Freshman who struggles athletically to an incoming sophomore with Power 4-level athletic ability. <br>Still, I was not able to watch Fogo in 1on1s (lines were SO long). Now at Phillips Exeter Academy, Fogo should be able to shine. I'm really curious to see how he's utilized there. <br>Oh, I forgot to mention, Fogo has a 4.3 GPA, verified by one of his coaches. By all accounts, Fogo is an incredibly athletic, strong, and SMART running back. Fogo legitimately could be one of the most underrated RBs in the Class of 2028! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1615746"],"_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-683e30d817d58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the past several months, I have heard of Avondale's promising young RB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eye test? Passes. For a 2028 prospect, Bryan is absolutely ahead of the curve. During drills, I was satisfied with his performance. He didn't blow me away in any aspect, but also didn't disappoint. This is backed up by his testing numbers, which were good when compared to the Class of 2028, but below average compared with upperclassmen college prospects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On tape, Bryan seems like a classic between-the-tackles 3-down running back. In my opinion, the biggest areas that will impact Bryan's eventual college recruitment are speed and contact balance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["977482"],"_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-683e30d817da1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't mean to be redundant, but the above evaluation of Bryan is also very accurate of Ju. In fact, I watched both players side-by-side and thought they were incredibly similar. Testing backs this up, as they both have near-identical broad jump and shuttle stats, while both don't have stats for the 40 or vertical. For a 2028 prospect, Ju is above-average in muscle mass and athletic ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will say that Ju has great tape. He's a hard runner, a decisive runner, and not afraid to lower a shoulder and run through someone. Not to mention the track record of young, promising players at Cass Tech. Expect Ju to be ranked by the time the next update comes around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1684237"],"_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-683e30d817de7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A huge blind spot, as I had never written about Kamall until right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I honestly only got a short glimpse of Kamall at camp. Simply too many running backs scratching and clawing for reps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though, I'm including Kamall in this becuase of his phenomenal testing numbers. All-around, Kamall was the #1 most athletic running back. A 4.621 40-yard dash, alongside a 30.5 inch vertical. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, that 40 is the kicker. That's the 3rd-best 40 at camp, and his speed also shows up on tape. I'm not sure what kind of recruiting attention Kamall has, since he doesn't have much Twitter activity. He'll absolutely have to be ranked come next update, though I'm not sure where I'll put him just yet. </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":"Zion Matthews","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"201","_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":"Dr. Phillips (FL)","_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-683e30d817ed5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lastly, we've got another standout tester. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zion posted a 4.803 40-yard dash, 30-inch vertical, 113-inch broad jump, and an outstanding 4.361 shuttle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I regret not watching Zion at camp, but again, reps were incredibly difficult to come by. I don't see any offers on Zion's Twitter, but with those testing numbers, he's definitely got college potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18663622/672e9e7b3a19e7562d973f51">On tape</a>, I'm super impressed with Zion's contact balance. Just based on these numbers and the highlight tape, I'd rank Zion as a solid D2 prospect. Pretty surprised to see zero offers on Twitter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->