Top 2025 RBs in Western Missouri
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I am looking forward to watching some of the best playmakers in Missouri take the field as upperclassmen this fall. There are talented offensive prospects all over the state, but I have been impressed with several running backs in western…
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Continue ReadingI am looking forward to watching some of the best playmakers in Missouri take the field as upperclassmen this fall. There are talented offensive prospects all over the state, but I have been impressed with several running backs in western Missouri. These five runners are sure to be top prospects in the state before the season is over. Below, I break down the next level traits they displayed in 2022.
Jax Glendenning Jax Glendenning 5’9″ | 170 lbs | RB Lebanon | 2025 State MO is a wrestling champion whose toughness shows on the football field. Jax has been to different showcases and also attended a camp at Harding University in the past. Expect Lebanon’s versatile running back to receive more attention from schools in the region this fall.
Jax displays a good combination of burst and lateral quickness evading defenders when power runs are disrupted at the point of attack. Good balance and power shows exploding through smaller defensive backs with a stiff arm in the open field. Coaches like Jax’s combination of strength, vision, and elusiveness that allow him to create behind the line of scrimmage when Lebanon’s option runs get disrupted.
Highlights
Travon Pankey Travon Pankey 6’1″ | 190 lbs | RB Oak Park | 2025 State MO is a productive running back out of Oak Park High School. He also competes in track & field. Travon visited Kansas State last month. I would expect the talented Kansas City rusher to receive his first offer before 2024 gets here.
Travon’s next level top gear shows escaping traffic and creating huge gains down the sideline out of Oak Park’s pistol formation. Travon displays a good combination of strength, balance, and toughness earning yards up the middle when power runs are disrupted at the point of attack. Next level size, power, and burst shows evading defenders in multiple ways in the open field. Travon’s patience and good vision get displayed waiting for power runs to develop before attacking holes in the line of scrimmage.
Gabe Fields Gabe Fields 6’0″ | 190 lbs | RB St. Joseph Central | 2025 State MO is a talented runner out of St. Joseph who had over 1,200 yards last season. Gabe received his first offer from Iowa State after attending a camp in Ames last month. Count on Gabe to make a big jump in Kansas City recruiters’ rankings this fall after continuing to lead the rushing attack for Central’s offense.
Gabe’s elusiveness and good lateral quickness get displayed making multiple defenders miss with hesitation moves on the same run. Coaches like Gabe’s combination of vision and acceleration shown cutting back on outside zone runs that are disrupted before he gets to the line of scrimmage. Top speed that allows Gabe to create big gains as a kick returner or running back highlight his potential to be a versatile playmaker at the next level.
Highlights
Quade Chatmon Quade Chatmon 6’0″ | 205 lbs | RB Lee’s Summit North | 2025 State MO burst onto the scene for Lee’s Summit North in 2022. Quade received his first offer from Kent State in May. Quade has also visited Kansas, Iowa, and Mizzou this year. Look for evaluators to keep close tabs on the rising all-purpose back this fall.
Quade shows a rare combination of strength, vision, and acceleration escaping through small creases in disrupted zone runs before exploding laterally to create big gains down the sidelines. Good power and balance shows running through defensive backs at the second level. Quade’s rare combination of tools give him a chance to be one of the most coveted 2025 playmakers in Missouri before his junior season is over.
Ryver Peppers Ryver Peppers 5’10” | 175 lbs | RB Fort Osage | 2025 State MO is an all-state long jumper when he is not lighting up the football field for Fort Osage High School. Ryver received his first offer from South Dakota State last month. I would expect the Jackrabbit scholarship to be the first of many from schools in the Missouri Valley Conference. Watch out for more schools in the region to offer Ryver before his junior season has finished.
Ryver’s next level burst shows accelerating to the endzone after slowing down to escape traffic in the run box. Ryver shows a good combination of vision and lateral quickness when finding openings towards the sidelines after evading defenders at the second level. Next level size, power, and balance get displayed consistently running through a crowded line of scrimmage to create positive yardage out of nothing. Good top speed, solid hands, tracking and adjustment ability highlight Ryver’s receiver versatility in college.