Seven IL RBs with Developmental Upside in the Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class in Illinois continues to show strong depth at the running back position. While much of the early attention goes to the top-end talent, there is a solid group of middle-tier backs who are flashing traits that project well long term. These seven prospects bring a blend of vision, toughness, and athletic development that make them worth tracking closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1052579' first='Ky'ren' last='Edmon'] | Bradley-Bourbonnais</strong><br>Edmon is a compact, decisive runner who plays with excellent tempo. He presses the hole well, shows good balance through contact, and consistently finishes forward. His instincts and competitiveness allow him to maximize his touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ammar Banire | Oswego</strong><br>Banire runs with patience and physicality. He allows blocks to develop, keeps his pads low, and shows the ability to grind out tough yards between the tackles. His steady approach makes him a dependable option in sustained drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Demarion Richardson | Manual (Peoria)</strong><br>Richardson brings a strong blend of power and movement skills. He runs with good body control, absorbs contact well, and shows enough agility to adjust when lanes close. His toughness consistently shows up on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Francisco Acevedo Jr. | Central-Burlington</strong><br>Acevedo adds a speed element to this group. He accelerates quickly, shows good spatial awareness, and can threaten defenses on the perimeter. His quick-twitch ability creates chunk-play potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565289' first='Tyler' last='VanderLaan'] | Neuqua Valley</strong><br>VanderLaan is a smooth, efficient runner with good vision and balance. He stays under control, reads leverage well, and consistently gets what the play gives him. His consistency and football IQ stand out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1689369' first='Joey' last='Joseph'] | Dunlap</strong><br>Joseph runs with a low center of gravity and excellent contact balance. He shows burst through the hole, competes hard at the second level, and finishes runs with authority. His physical style fits well in downhill run schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Richards | Dixon</strong><br>Richards is a shifty, elusive back who thrives in space. He changes direction well, shows good acceleration, and has the ability to create when plays break down. His creativity adds another dynamic to an offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->