Zach was one we talked about last week in our RB preview that we felt had a shot at one at the top-tier of running backs and that was the case, as Zach was one of my front runners in this group of second teamers in what was a deep running back group on Saturday at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase. He showed off his elusive change of direction running the 2nd fastest L-drill in the entire showcase at 7.09, which is a number that is improved since his outing at our winter Dakotas Showcase. Not only was the change of direction evident during testing, but Zach was by far the most shifty running back during the reps I watched during the Indy drills with the running back group. He’s one that been on my radar since he was an 8th grader and surely is a scholarshp-level graded running back for the Dakotas schools that’s even more explosive when he gets into the open field with his vision.

Zach is a name that has been on our radar since he was in middle school at our Prep Redzone NEXT Showcase in Minnesota, and he’s in attendance yet again and in my eyes, should be in my top-tier for RB MVP out of this 2028 class out of Minot Bishop Ryan. He’s more durable for his 5’8 165 pound frame than he gets credit for and when you add the change of direction that Zach has, he shows that he’s a more well-rounded back than those measurables might give him credit for. I love the work-ethic that Zach shows off with the finish he has with his runs on his sophomore tape as a blue-collar back to know in my eyes to watch for on Saturday.

Zach might be just be a sophomore, but I swear he has been to it feels like half a dozen Prep Redzone Showcases already and every time I get the chance to evaluate him in that time, I keep seeing more and more growth in his game. He was in our top-tier for pro shuttle times in the RB group with a strong 4.4 for the Minot Bishop Ryan running back as his numbers were stellar across the board. 9’4 in the broad jump showing off the explosive traits and another 7.09 in the L-drill would put him high up in the RB group with my SES (size, explosiveness, speed) analysis. That change of direction Zach has was well-noted later in his live eval during Indy, as he put a couple LBs on skates from what I saw and I remember being intrgued by his finish to every rep. Another RB2 this time in the 2028 class that had a strong showing in Aberdeen.

157 all purpose yards

Zach has been a 2028 out of Minot Bishop Ryan that as we sit here at midseason, has taken a sizable jump from what the upside has shown since he was an 8th grader. The 5’8 165 pounder we have seen it most with his burst and agility as I would love to see where Zach’s pro agility and 40-yard dash comes out at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase that comes up in early December. For his size, you can also tell Zach has gotten more fluid and balance thru contact with the ball in his hands. Could he be pressing as the RB1 in the 2028 class? I guess we will find out soon.

Another 2028 name from Minot that has been on my radar since he was an 8th grader, is Bishop Ryan running back Zachary Spain Zachary Spain 5'8" | 169 lbs | RB/ATH Bishop Ryan | 2028 State ND who has been well-travelled this showcase season, as he was a RB standout at our PRZ Colorado Showcase and here at the PRZ Dakotas Showcase last Saturday. He brings very bouncy hips for his age, sound vision, and instinctive change of direction with a quick developing football IQ. What impressed me in the live reps in Aberdeen is how much Zach has grown from a durability perspective as one of the most balanced RBs in this North Dakota 2028 class.

Spain came out to compete from North Dakota, and didn’t disappoint. He showed his blazing speed throughout the camp. Spain has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, good change of direction and balance. Spain’s quick feet were on display too. Spain is an elusive runner, who makes defenders miss by weaving around them. Very good dynamic cuts, allowing him to pivot and change direction with ease. Good vision. In the receiving portion, he showed his good route running ability and was beating DBs at the line of scrimmage. I’m excited to see how Spain continues his development as a running back and pass catcher.

Spain, he was a running back out of North Dakota, that posted one of the fastest L-drill times of the event and carried that explosiveness into his on field work. His route running was sharp, and he showed no wasted motion getting in and out of breaks. With the ability to line up in the backfield or move into the slot, Spain projects as a versatile weapon for any offense.