Toting the Rock Part I: 6 of Iowa’s Top C/O 2022 Running Backs
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What are the characteristics of a successful running back? They have vision, speed, durability, burst, instincts, agility, and will. They are nimble, elusive, explosive, dynamic, slippery, balanced, and strong. The ball carriers below incorporate a lot in their game that…
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Continue ReadingWhat are the characteristics of a successful running back? They have vision, speed, durability, burst, instincts, agility, and will. They are nimble, elusive, explosive, dynamic, slippery, balanced, and strong. The ball carriers below incorporate a lot in their game that lead to dominant performance and production. Check out some of Iowa’s best when it comes to toting the rock.
Colin Kadolph Colin Kadolph 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2022 State IA , Ankeny, hudl, Twitter
RB, 5’11, 193
Kadolph is very dynamic as a ball carrier and has the toolbox to be ultra effective in a big playbook. Kadolph can accelerate with a burst into gaps in power schemes with a low center of gravity. He absorbs, breaks, and bounces off contact and fights for hard earned yards between the tackles. His balance and coordination are on display as he keeps his feet moving and knees driving to, through, and off of defenders. On zone schemes Kadolph can shift gears to be very patient as he allows the play to develop and blocks to set up. When a gap or cutback lane opens Kadolph impressively gets north-south and shows off elite straight line speed. Kadolph is elusive in the open field; his ability to stop on a dime and reaccelerate or juke is second to none. He also has terrific hands out of the backfield and is a big threat in the passing and screen game. It is clear that Kadolph matches his talent with effort and work ethic to hone his craft.
Dawson Forgy Dawson Forgy 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Winterset | 2022 State IA , Winterset, hudl, Twitter
RB, 5’11, 185
Forgy is the focal point of his offense and even takes snaps out of a wildcat package; opposing defenses are fully aware of what is coming and they still can’t slow down the ground attack. Forgy runs behind terrific blocking and often gets to the second level untouched. He does, though, have the ability to break tackles and pick up yards after contact at the line of scrimmage. Wherever he is on the field, Forgy shows fortitude and refuses to go down. Forgy has excellent patience as he follows his blocks and, right when he has the opportunity to be decisive, he channels that extra gear to fly by defenders. Once Forgy gets to the second level his athletic abilities take over. Forgy has elite vision and an apparent sixth sense that make him elusive. He avoids tackles, does not allow clean contact, and knows where daylight is going to appear. Forgy’s cutbacks and ability to outleverage defenders in the open field is remarkable.
Preston Pope, West Marshall, hudl, Twitter
RB, 5’9, 200
Pope looks like he is shot out of a cannon as he gets out of his stance to take handoffs. He accelerates quickly, attacks gaps with square shoulders, and absolutely barrels through defenders. Pope is impossible to arm tackle and rarely goes down without taking defenders for a ride; he is the hammer, never the nail. Pope makes impressive downhill cuts and has a lot of lateral quickness that enables him to capitalize and pick up big chunks of yards when there aren’t big lanes to run through. Pope keeps his hips low to the ground and always falls forward fighting for more; he is the definition of a power back. He is far from one dimensional, though, and has the speed and nimbleness to take the ball off tackle. Pope is slippery and can make the first defender miss. He has the straight line speed to pick up big yards and break away from defenders when needed. Pope carries the ball with unparalleled physicality and strength.
Logan Cassady Logan Cassady 6'1" | 180 lbs | RB Interstate 35 | 2022 State IA , Interstate 35, hudl, Twitter
RB, 6’1, 175
Take a look at Cassady weave through a defense with sharp cuts and tight spins, without losing speed. It is a sight to see and the utilization of his center of gravity and body control is rare. He is an all-purpose back who has the ability to capitalize on his athletic abilities in any situation with the ball in his hands. Between the tackles Cassady can shake off tacklers, especially when defenders hit him high, or lower the shoulder to pick up hard earned yards after contact. Cassady is most impressive off tackle, though, where his speed and agility really shine. When he gets to space on plays like toss, speed option, and outside zone he is gone; Cassady is lightning in a bottle. He can accelerate and separate through the second and third level of a defense with ease. He shows a tremendous amount of balance as he cuts and jukes defenders running down the sideline like he is on a tightrope or working back to the middle of the field.
Titus Christiansen Titus Christiansen 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , Southeast Polk, hudl, Twitter
RB, 5’10, 175
Watching Christiansen operate behind his offensive line on zone blocking schemes, patiently waiting for a seam to appear, and then bursting through to reach top speed in just a few steps is a jaw dropping. He can change direction without losing speed, is very nimble and slippery at the line of scrimmage, and even more dangerous when he gets beyond it. The vision Christiansen displays as he gets to linebackers and defensive backs helps him decisively attack space. He does a great job of avoiding contact while picking up yards and increasing the likelihood of big gains and long runs. Christiansen is a threat to take it to the house whenever he touches the ball, not just on handoffs. He can cut and pivot through routes, like a wheel or swing, explosively and is near impossible to cover. Christiansen is not just a speed back; he’s shown the ability to recruit a lot of power and drive his legs through tacklers when he needs to.
Kham Middleton Kham Middleton 5'11" | 215 lbs | RB Dowling Catholic | 2022 IA , Dowling Catholic, hudl, Twitter
RB, 5’11, 215
Middleton is a bruising, old school ball carrier who punishes defenders when they try to tackle him; you can see a defender get jolted as they try to take him to the ground. Middleton runs angry and, at times, looks like he is intentionally squaring up a tackler just so he can run right through them and deliver a violent blow. He has a very functionally strong lower body that churns through contact; his feet are very active, he picks up his knees, and keeps the depth of his hips low. The biomechanics Middleton maintains as he runs the ball are impressive; he gives himself the ability to recruit power at any time. Middleton is also excellent in pass protection and as a lead blocker, which is a big commodity and uncommon at the high school level. He can insert and block much larger linemen, pave the way and take out a backer, and pick up blitzers or pass rushers with really great posture. Middleton is all about the dirty work.