Hauling The Ball: Running Backs from the 8-Man Divisions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Call me “Old-Fashioned” but the running back position is still my favorite on the football field. Growing up with the likes of Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, Eric Dickerson, and Roger Craig, I'm always on the lookout for guys who can haul the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This edition of Kansas Eight-Man Gems focuses on running backs in the class of 2023 who had big seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian Dean, 6'1”, 180, The Independent School (Wichita)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a back with great breakaway speed. Dean rushed for  1,349 yards and 29 touchdowns during his senior season. He could return kicks and he could play slot back for a college program. He can create match-up problems catching the ball out of the backfield as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trenton Zenger, 6'1”, 210, Washington Co.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This young man is a football player. He is a bulldozer on legs and with Ford Mustang speed. Zenger rushed for 617 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2022 season. If a program runs out of the I-formation then Zenger could be an All-Conference fullback in that scheme. He could also play linebacker, tight end, or the Waterboy in an Adam Sandler biopic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connor Schurr, 5'7”, 140, Osborne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching film on Schurr, I immediately thought of Dave Meggett. Schurr rushed for 641 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season. Much like the former New York Giant, Schurr at 5'7”&nbsp; moves like a water bug and can get lost behind offensive linemen. He has good speed and can break tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jake Hutchinson, 6'0”, 190, Oswego</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oswego's Hutchinson is hard to bring down. He has strong legs and keeps them churning. Hutchinson rushed for 1,112 yards and 23 touchdowns for the Indians. He could play linebacker, fullback, or tight end as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='87652' first='Tayden' last='Tindle'], 5'9”, 160, Sedan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sedan's [player_tooltip player_id='87652' first='Tayden' last='Tindle'] takes care of the football and hits the hole quickly. Tindle rushed for 366 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022. He is strong and has good lateral movement.  He has a nose for the end zone and could contribute early on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->