Film Review – 2027 Running Backs to Keep an Eye on

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to this week's Film Room Review, where we take a deeper look at some standout players from across Oklahoma. This session is all about going beyond the surface—diving into the details you only catch when you really study the film. We're talking about technique, fundamentals, decision-making, and how players respond in key moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As coaches, this is where you separate flash from substance. Anyone can make a highlight play, but what shows up consistently snap after snap is what really matters. Footwork, leverage, ball skills, eye discipline, effort—those are the traits we're focusing on in this breakdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The players featured this week put together strong performances and showed qualities that translate. Whether it's consistency, toughness, or the ability to execute under pressure, each of these athletes gave us something worth studying and evaluating moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1174139' first='Jattairrius' last='Neal'] - Broken Bow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Bow running back [player_tooltip player_id='1174139' first='Jattairrius' last='Neal'] put together an outstanding junior season, totaling 2,093 all-purpose yards while establishing himself as one of the most productive backs in the state. Neal is a physical, downhill runner who combines vision, balance, and toughness to consistently move the chains and create explosive plays.&nbsp; He displays good vision, allowing his blocks to develop before decisively attacking running lanes. Once Neal identifies a crease, he gets downhill in a hurry, showing the burst to reach the second level quickly. He runs with outstanding balance and is rarely brought down by the first defender, consistently fighting through contact for extra yardage.&nbsp; What stands out most is his physical running style. Neal thrives between the tackles, finishing runs with authority and wearing down opposing defenses as the game progresses. His combination of patience, power, and explosiveness makes him a complete running back, and we're excited to see what he accomplishes during his senior season as he looks to build on an impressive junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680641' first='Chris' last='Tschudy'] - Mount St. Mary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Saint Mary running back [player_tooltip player_id='1680641' first='Chris' last='Tschudy'] put together a productive season on both sides of the ball while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Tschudy is a physical runner who thrives between the tackles, consistently running with toughness and determination to pick up hard-earned yards. He displays good vision, allowing him to identify running lanes before attacking them with authority. His footwork stands out, as he uses quick cuts and subtle movements to make defenders miss without sacrificing momentum. Tschudy also has a solid frame that allows him to absorb contact while continuing to fall forward for extra yardage. This was my first opportunity to watch Tschudy on film, and I came away impressed with his overall game at running back. His combination of vision, physical running style, footwork, and consistency makes him a dependable offensive weapon and a player capable of making an impact every time he touches the football for Mount Saint Mary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1694449' first='JoJo' last='Gray'] - Sulphur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sulphur running back [player_tooltip player_id='1694449' first='JoJo' last='Gray'] is coming off a good junior season in which he averaged an impressive 8.5 yards per carry while rushing for more than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Gray is an explosive playmaker who has the ability to change the game every time he touches the football.&nbsp; One of his biggest strengths is his elusiveness. He has plenty of wiggle in the open field and makes sharp cuts without sacrificing speed, allowing him to leave defenders behind. His jump cut is especially impressive, helping him avoid traffic while maintaining his momentum. Gray also displays good vision, quickly identifying running lanes and attacking them with decisiveness.&nbsp; Every touch has the potential to become a highlight-reel play because of his burst, balance, and ability to make defenders miss in space. His combination of vision, explosiveness, and big-play ability makes him one of the more exciting running backs to watch. It will be fun to see what Gray accomplishes during his senior season as he looks to build off his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1836640' first='Braxten' last='Antuna'] - Elgin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elgin running back [player_tooltip player_id='1836640' first='Braxten' last='Antuna'] is a player who looks poised for a breakout senior season. If you missed the article the other day about the Elgin Owls, you can click this link <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/elgin-owls-ok-2026-team-preview/">here </a>to read it. After watching a little of his film, it's easy to see why there's excitement surrounding his potential. Antuna displays good vision, allowing him to quickly identify running lanes, and he wastes little time attacking the hole. He has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field while also showing the toughness to run effectively between the tackles. Antuna projects as an all-purpose back thanks to his reliable hands and versatility as a receiver out of the backfield. Whether he's carrying the football in traffic or catching it in space, he has a knack for making positive plays every time the ball is in his hands. Braxten is a well-rounded offensive weapon with the skill set to impact the game in multiple ways. We look forward to seeing him put it all together during his senior season and showcase his abilities as a key contributor for the Elgin Owls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1838045' first='Farris' last='Sutteer'] - Anadarko</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anadarko running back [player_tooltip player_id='1838045' first='Farris' last='Sutteer'] is a player who certainly caught our attention when I initially watched his film while coaching at the Native All State Game in El Reno. After a productive junior season on both sides of the ball, he has already earned an invitation to the Blue-Grey All-American Game in Dallas on January 11, a testament to the impact he made on the field. As a runner, Sutteer has a physical, downhill style that stands out on film. He keeps his feet driving through contact, rarely goes down on first contact, and consistently fights for extra yardage. He runs behind his pads, embraces contact, and finishes runs with authority. His footwork allows him to navigate through traffic, while his vision helps him identify running lanes and make decisive cuts. Overall, I really like Sutteer's running style. He plays with toughness, balance, and determination, giving his team a dependable back who can wear down defenses throughout the game. He's a prospect we'll continue to monitor as he enters his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->