The run heavy Xavier offense was anchored by the stardom of Mehdi Merah Mehdi Merah 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB Xavier | 2024 State NY . At 5 ’11 and 206 pounds, Merah was a bruising tailback that inflicted damage on almost every defense he faced. The power back used his strength to help move the chains, but we frequently saw how he could use his speed. He pulled off some big plays and guided Xavier to a AA-1 semifinal appearance. Merah was a prototypical smash mouth Xavier player who thrived in this offense and put together an excellent senior campaign.

The bruising running back from Xavier is built to have a special season. He’ll be getting a huge workload in the old school run heavy offense Xavier has. Last year their running game was potent and now with Merah leading the attack it will be dangerous. He runs through tackles and gets a ton of yards after contact. He’s the type of running back to wear down defenses and string a ton of first downs together

Medhi Merah is extremely physical as a runner, for Xavier Merah was more of their power running back and at the next level could transition to more of a fullback type role. Merah has an incredible motor as a back and never stops his legs moving. I saw Merah in the NYCHSFL AA2 Final where he was physically imposing against Mt. Saint Michael Academy and did it while banged up and limping throughout the entire game. Merah does lack some breakaway speed, hence the projection to move to a more fullback/H-back type role at the next level but with the ball in his hands he is one of the most difficult runners for opposing defenses to bring down. Xavier graduates their top two rushers from last season so Merah should go from a dominant third option to their most consistent ball carrier next season. Expect big things from the 5’10, 215lb back.