Derrion Bartholomew
Derrion Bartholomew
About Derrion
Expert Analysis
Hunter Tierney | Prep Redzone Scout
Derrion Bartholomew
Derrion
Bartholomew
5'11" | 220 lbs | RB
Centennial | 2027
State
AZ
is one of those backs who just refuses to go down. He runs with impressive balance, constantly bouncing off defenders and keeping his legs churning until the whistle. At 5’11” and 200 pounds, he’s built for the grind and especially for those goal line carries where toughness matters most. In 2024 he put up 388 rushing yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, but really made his name in the playoffs when he exploded for 191 yards on 29 carries against Casteel, during Cenetennial’s Cinderella run to the 6A state title. That performance showed exactly why the coaching staff trusts him in the biggest moments. Heading into 2025 as a junior, expect him to handle more of the early-down workload and plenty of four-minute carries when they’re protecting leads. Centennial’s identity is built on physical football and play-action, and Bartholomew fits that perfectly. If he can bring that postseason form into a full season, the Coyotes will once again be a nightmare to close out games against — boring in the best way possible, and brutally effective.
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Read EvaluationJordan Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Strong downhill runner with a powerful 5’11” 210 lb. frame. Great ability to break initial contact at the first level with good balance, strength, and leverage. Gets up the field quickly utilizing his short-area burst to accelerate through the LOS and work to space. Doesn’t hesitate to attack running lanes with decisiveness and speed. Makes quick lateral cuts around defenders at the second level and in space and shows good ball security upon contact. Size and skillset allow him to pick up tough yardage between the tackles or use his speed to turn the corner to the outside. The second ranked RB in the updated 2027 PRZ state rankings and #19 overall.
2 Offers: Arizona State, Colorado State
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Read EvaluationJordan Reyes | Prep Redzone Scout
Bartholomew is a physical downhill runner with a well-built compact frame at 5’11” 210 lbs. He’s quick to get north/south and press the LOS using his short area burst to attack running lanes, makes one quick lateral cut and gets square. Runs hard and is tough to tackle at both first contact and at the second level given his balance and strength at the POA. Maintains good leg drive, pad level, and forward momentum to break tackles and extend gains. Shows natural ball carrier instincts and vision to find space and use his breakaway speed to finish in the endzone. Picked up two early offers from Colorado State and Arizona State but expect D1 offers to continue to roll in as he is able to showcase his skillset.
2 Offers: Colorado State, Arizona State
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
Big, thick, throwback type of Middle Linebacker. Also plays Running Back in short yardage situations on offense. A-Gap thumper. Could almost pass for an athletic interior Defensive Tackle with his build right now.
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
Your traditional big, thick Mike Linebacker that plugs up the A-Gaps and lives to make tackles at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. Bartholomew is one of those bigger, quick kids that play Linebacker and Running Back at this level but will likely end up just playing Linebacker as he progresses. Much better fit.
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
-One of the first kids I noticed out of the dessert during the week down at AYF Nationals because of how thick of a build he possesses at this age. Standing an estimated 5-foot-11 and 230-pounds right now
-I really liked the physical nature he played the Linebacker position with. Read and reacted quickly and came downhill with thunder to stop running plays. Needs to work on pass drops a bit but that comes with more reps and a more advanced game at the high school level
-At this point I don’t see him developing enough speed to be a difference-making Running Back as he progresses through his career, but he was able to pick up tough yards to keep the sticks moving. Could be a viable number 2 option if paired with a speed or scat back
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