Prep Redzone Spring Combine: RB Standouts P2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following my previous article about runningback standouts, we have the second and final part of the ball carriers that most impressed me throughout the combine. A lot of talent to love from the class of 2026 early on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247065' first='Benjamin' last='Bergan'] 6'2" 210 lbs Anoka 2027 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you want to talk about kids who look the part look no further than Anoka first-year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247065' first='Benjamin' last='Bergan']</strong>. Looking like he's a Captain America stunt double, <strong>Bergan</strong> was an absolute dog throughout the entire camp. He wasn't the fastest but he was by far the biggest and most physical. There's no doubt in my mind once he gets going that there is no way to stop him when he's running downhill. He also showed off some impressive route running later on. He's a name to know going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120514' first='Angel' last='Velasquez-Jaimes'] 5'3" 150 lbs Rochester Mayo 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Velasquez-Jaimes</strong> wasn't the biggest competitor on Saturday evening, but he was arguably the grittiest and most tenacious out of all the athletes who stepped on the field. Against some of the biggest and strongest LBs I've ever seen, he stepped up and was more than willing to collision them, even without pads on. When he was running routes, <strong>Velasquez-Jaimes</strong> was nothing if not quick. His fast feet and fluid hips allowed him to switch directions easily which allowed him to exploit mismatches with bigger linebackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402073' first='James' last='Engle'] 5'8" 175 lbs Maple Grove 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maple Grove's RB room is loaded with talent, and <strong>Engle</strong> is going to be a staple of it for years to come. He looked DYNAMIC out there running a pair of 4.62 40-yard dashes and putting on a clinic when running routes against the LBs. His ability to crank up his speed with short bursts of explosiveness proved to be a problem, especially when exploding through the line of scrimmage during drills. <strong>Engle </strong>looks to be a problem, and it appears that Maple Grove is gearing up for another dominant season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TJ Peterson 5'9" 170 lbs Prior Lake 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since I've been at Prep Redzone the Prior Lake Lakers have been blessed with dominant running backs year after year, and after Saturday, it looks like <strong>Peterson</strong> is the next to inherit that mantle. Speed is the name of his game, and once he hits open space he's gone. His fast twitch muscles are off the charts and he looks incredibly explosive in all facets of his game. 3/4 of the Laker's top ball carriers will graduate this summer, so <strong>Peterson</strong> is primed to take up a far larger role in the backfield next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1208064' first='Emmett' last='Anderson'] 5'10" 180 lbs Academy of Holy Angels 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are very few RBs who I'm as excited to see perform in 2024 as <strong>Anderson</strong>. He's a returning First Team All-District team member who looked incredible at the spring combine. Despite his strength and frame, he's surprisingly nimble and can tiptoe through small holes at the line of scrimmage, but he's also willing to use that frame to beat up on linebackers which I saw during the pass-pro one-on-ones. Holy Angels looks to be a premier team next year and I expect <strong>Anderson</strong> to be a big part of that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923832' first='Carson' last='Turner'] 5'11" 190 lbs Shakopee 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest impact transfers ahead of next season is <strong>Turner</strong> heading to run-dominant powerhouse Shakopee. <strong>Turner</strong> was on the shortlist for RB Camp MVP and I see him as a Day 1 impact player next year, depending on his eligibility. He passed the eye test and wasn't afraid to get physical with bigger linebackers throughout the day. His tape backs up <strong>Turner's</strong> performance, it's full of him running through defenders or delivering nasty stiff arms. Keep your eyes out for <strong>Turner </strong>and Shakopee in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->