Ottawa-Kent Conferences: Top Running Backs

The Grand Rapids area features several record-setting backs and a handful of others who are set to make a name for themselves this season. Below I break down, in my opinion, the areas five best backs and what sets them apart from the rest of the pack. <h5>Carson Vanderhoff, Caledonia 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9975093/5dfb86a8664b920e3c5c9539" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Earned First Team All-State and First Team All-OK Red honors. Set Caledonia’s rushing record with 1,729 yards and 19 touchdowns on 230 carries. Had monster games of 384 yards against West Ottawa and 331 yards against Northview. Carson is a shifty back who explodes through holes with aggression. He has the ability to lower his shoulder and run through defenders as well as the quickness to cut on a dime and gain an extra chunk of yards. One thing that stands out about Carson is the patience he shows when a hole isn’t initially there. He has the presence of mind to wait for a lane to open up instead of forcing the issue. Expect Carson to be the focal point of Caledonia’s offense again this season. <em>Offers: Carthrage College, Kalamazoo College, Alma College, Aurora University, Otterbein University, Hope College</em> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29764" first="Drapher" last="Cribbs"], East Kentwood 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9937412/5da336d196812d0deca4fd82" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> It’s tough to find a back in the area that runs harder than Drapher. He seems to embrace contact and uses great pad level to break through arm tackles. If the stat was readily available, he might lead the OK Red in yards after contact. One thing that stands out about Drapher is that he’s an excellent blocker in the open field and seemingly relishes in clearing space for his teammates. Drapher has taken an assortment of unofficial visits in the past year, which include but are not limited to the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Iowa, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Expect Drapher’s recruitment to continue to gain momentum as the 2020 season begins. <em>Offers: Central Michigan University</em> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29754" first="Cam" last="Terry"], Grandville 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9881198/5dbe4da4f31ced0d40d34f8e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Cam helped Grandville to a great season, finishing 7-3 on the year. Grandville’s offense revolved primarily on its litany of backs, led by none other than Cam. Cam has shown exceptional top-end speed which allows him to break away from defenders in the open field. In between the tackles, Cam is shifty and can find the slightest hole to punch through to get to the next level. In Grandville’s winged-t formation, Cam serves as a reliable lead blocker who uses his strength to clear out space for his counterparts. Expect his list of suitors to continue to grow as he enters his senior season. <em>Offers: Ohio Northern University, Mount St. Joseph University, Bethel College, North Park University, University of Pikeville, Aurora University, Alma College, Otterbein University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Marietta College, Olivet College, Hope College, Trine University, Judson University, Davenport University, Concordia University-Ann Arbor</em> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29776" first="Malekhi" last="Obande"], Unity Christian 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8283223/5ddae58eb023750d90ba9332" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> Malekhi helped lead Hudsonville Unity Christian to an 8-3 season and a trip to the Division 4 State Semifinal game before losing to eventual champion, Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Malekhi is a quick-twitch back who is a threat to score anytime he gets outside and into the second level. He has great burst out of the backfield and isn’t afraid to initiate contact, even seeking it out at times. Malekhi has shown great change of direction, which often leads to additional chunks of yardage for Unity. He’s displayed a deadly spin-move and is a legitimate home-run threat when he gets into the open field. His awareness and field vision allows him to be a great asset on defense for Unity as well. Expect Malekhi to continue to turn heads and lead the Crusaders to another winning season in 2020. <em>Offers: Dordt University</em> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29760" first="Marcel" last="Love"], Grandville 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9881199/5dbe27bbf55fca0f10ba5f01" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p dir="auto">Marcel is another talented back from Grandville who uses elite quickness and speed to make big plays for the Bulldogs. The lightning to [player_tooltip player_id="29754" first="Cam" last="Terry"]’s thunder, Marcel is Grandville’s best pass-catching weapon out of the backfield. You can see why Grandville loves to use him in this role as he is a threat to make a big play whenever he gets the ball in space.</p> <p dir="auto">Marcel isn’t the biggest of backs, but he uses this to his advantage as he often slips out of tackles and explodes into the next level. Marcel is also a playmaker in the return game, adding another element to his game.</p> <div dir="auto"></div> <em>Offers: Trine University, Mount St. Joseph University, Carthage College, Kalamazoo College, Aurora University, Otterbein College, St. Norbert College, Hope College</em>