Scouting the Shore: Will Towns Leads Monmouth/Ocean Running Backs
After looking at the wide receivers featured in USA Today’s Top 70 Shore prospects, which featured three receivers already ranked in our statewide top 100, the running back scene in the Shore Conference paints a different picture. Jackson Memorial’s Will…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter looking at the wide receivers featured in USA Today’s Top 70 Shore prospects, which featured three receivers already ranked in our statewide top 100, the running back scene in the Shore Conference paints a different picture. Jackson Memorial’s Will Towns Will Towns 5'11" | RB Jackson Memorial | 2021 State NJ is the only player listed in both rankings, leading the Asbury Park Press’ list.
This makes running back a prime position for breakout candidates this season at the Shore. With a delayed start to the season, expect many of these backs to have a chance at carrying their team’s offense in the Fall.
Below is a scouting report on Towns, as well as some of the other under the radar running backs from around Monmouth and Ocean county.
2021 RB Will Towns Will Towns 5'11" | RB Jackson Memorial | 2021 State NJ , Jackson Memorial
A Wake Forest commit, Towns is the 24th ranked player in the state and sixth overall at running back. Towns is a patient runner at the line of scrimmage, not afraid to make multiple cuts before accelerating up field and beating the angle on defensive backs. This is a fluid player that rarely goes down on first contact while eluding arm tackles with ease.
Under the Radar Running Backs
2020 RB Johnny Volker, Rumson Fair Haven
Volker’s accession to one of the top backs in the Shore has surprised few that have seen him carry the ball for an always-talented Rumson offense. Primed for a giant senior season, Volker is eighth overall on the Shore rankings. Volker gets to the second level with ease, turning his shoulders to find space on the outside and create big plays. Even as the center of attention for opposing defenses, he is a game breaker that plays as a receiving threat from the backfield or slot.
This is a player not afraid to put his head down and fight for yards between the tackles as an every down back for the Bulldogs.
2021 RB Shane McLaughlin, Shore Regional
The 20th ranked Shore player, McLaughlin is a shifty runner with plus contact balance and burst. Doubling as a tight end for Shore, McLaughlin has a great awareness for finding space against a defense and exploiting it. This is a runner that gets skinny through the hole and reads his blocks well to make the most of his touches in a power offense.
2021 RB Jadhir Loftland, Donovan Catholic
Loftland took full advantage of being the back in Donovan’s wide open offense last season, a one-cut runner that darts up field and can stop on a dime. Though smaller in build, this is a player that surprises with upper body power on both sides of the ball – setting the edge at linebacker and defensive end on defense.
Ranked 29th in the Shore, Loftland has three teammates ahead of him on the top seventy, but is in a position to show significant growth as a player starting in October.
2021 RB Jordan Grey, Toms River North
Toms River North returns a ton of talent on offense this season, projected to be one of the strongest teams in the Shore. Grey is the APP’s 48th ranked prospect, tough between the tackles with the wiggle to bounce outside. Grey punishes defenders at the point of contact with a thick upper frame paired with the quick twitch to accelerate with ease.
2022 RB Rajahn Cooper, Mater Dei
Rounding out this list of promising running backs in Monmouth and Ocean county is a 2022 prospect that comes in at 58 on the top 70. Cooper takes some time to get up to speed, but reads his blocks well to fight for positive yards on every touch. Closing defenders can often do little but get their hands on Cooper, who slips arm tackles effortlessly to get into the secondary.
With wide receiver and now running back off the list, the next Shore position we’ll be breaking down is quarterback followed by offensive line. Similarly to the list above, expect these rankings to be full of prospects that haven’t left their final mark on the end-of-season top one-hundreds.