Prep Redzone Rankings: First Look at 24′ RBs
In this article:
We’ve finished revamping the 24’ rankings totaling 74 players. These are young athletes who got their first season of high school football under their belts and will be names to keep an eye on as they continue to develop and…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve finished revamping the 24’ rankings totaling 74 players. These are young athletes who got their first season of high school football under their belts and will be names to keep an eye on as they continue to develop and hone their craft. With that being said, let’s take a first look at the 24’ RBs.
Tony Phillips Tony Phillips 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Kankakee | 2024 State IL 5’7 160 Bishop McNamara Twitter
Mr. Phillips is from Bishop McNamara, he played on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring where he was a sight to see. What I like most about this young man is how he plays through contact and keeps his feet driving fighting for every inch. Don’t let his size confuse you, he might stand at 5’7 160 but his aggressiveness and attacking playstyle speak for themselves. This young man currently holds 3 D1 offers from Florida Atlantic University, Syracuse University, and The University of Tennessee. Look for more offers to come his way after the fall season concludes.
Jaydon Wright Jaydon Wright 6'0" | 230 lbs | RB Bishop McNamara | 2024 State IL Bishop McNamara Twitter
Mr. Wright is from Bishop McNamara, he played on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring where he balled out. This young man is one of the bigger backs in the 24’ class standing at 6’0 230, he lines up in the backfield with Tony Phillips Tony Phillips 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Kankakee | 2024 State IL and boy they’re a sight to see. What I like most about Mr. Wright is his ability to make the first defender miss with his elusiveness and his ability to change gears quickly blowing by the 2nd level of defenders. He currently has two D1 offers from Florida Atlantic University and from Syracuse University. Look for more offers to come his way once the fall season concludes.
Jedidiah Adjayi Jedidiah Adjayi 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Evergreen Park | 2024 IL 5’7 160 Evergreen Park Twitter
Mr. Adjayi is from Evergreen Park, he played on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring where he balled out. If you’re looking for a running back that’s going to tower over the defenders and weigh over 200 pounds then this young man isn’t for you, BUT if you’re looking for a workhorse that fights for every yard playing through the whistle and giving it all that he’s got then look no further. What I like most about this young man is that he stands at 5’7 160, some can call that an undersized back, and plows defenders over that are much bigger than him. His pure aggressiveness paired with his ability to switch gears quickly is a sight to see.
Randall Nauden Randall Nauden 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB Brother Rice | 2024 State IL 5’11 180 Marian Catholic Twitter
Mr. Nauden is from Marian Catholic, he played on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring and showcased what he can do. It seems like the Marian Catholic Spartans are going to have another premier back with this young man after Tajheem Lawson Tajheem Lawson 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Marian Catholic | 2021 IL departs for college. What I like most about this young man is his ability to change gears quickly and his elusiveness making the first defender miss. Once the ball is in his hands, he blows by the 2nd level of defenders, which is a sight to see. Mr. Nauden stands at 5’11 180 and is ready to make a name for himself this fall season.
Dominik Ball Dominik Ball 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Palatine | 2024 State IL 5’10 180 Palatine Twitter
Mr. Ball is from Palatine, he played on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring and he balled out. What I like most about this young man is how quickly he’s able to change gears when he bursts through the line of scrimmage. Once he turns the corner there’s no catching him as he simply blows by the 2nd level of defenders. His playmaking ability that he showcased this spring season is only a glimpse into what’s to come for this young man.
Jack Cheney Jack Cheney 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Lyons Township | 2024 IL Lyons Township Twitter
Mr. Cheney is from Lyons Township, he played on Varsity as a Freshman where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is his ability to change gears quickly bursting through the line of scrimmage and how he plays through contact fighting through extra yards. Standing at 5’11 175 he’s a name to watch as he continues to develop further and hone his craft. Mr. Cheney got his feet wet on Varsity this spring and I expect him to finish out his career as a 4-year starter.
Navontae Nesbit Navontae Nesbit 5'9" | 155 lbs | RB Mt. Vernon | 2024 IL Mt. Vernon Township Twitter
Mr. Nesbit is from Mt Vernon Township, he got some snaps on Varsity as a Freshman this past spring where he showed glimpses of what’s to come. What I like most about this young man is his ability to change gears quickly bursting through the 2nd level of defenders where there’s no catching him as he’s off to the races. He’s a smaller back standing at 5’9 155 with room to develop further and hone his craft. He’s a name to keep an eye on as he does so and be on the lookout to see how he produces this fall.
Alonzo Manning Alonzo Manning 5'5" | 160 lbs | RB Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL 5’5 150 Marist Twitter
Mr. Manning is from Marist, he played on JV as a Freshman this past spring where he was a sight to see. He’s a smaller back standing at 5’5 150 but oh boy does he play like he’s 6’2 220. What I like most about this young man is his ability to change the gears in a heartbeat which he uses to blow by the 2nd level of defenders. Now keep in mind that Mr. Manning can also catch the ball out of the backfield he showcased at various camps he attended. This young man is ready to make a name for himself, he has the skill set to do so and I look forward to seeing how he produces this fall.
Darrion Dupree Darrion Dupree 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL 5’10 180 Mount Carmel Twitter
Mr. Dupree is from Mount Carmel, he played on JV as a Freshman where he was a sight to see. What I like most about this young man is how he keeps his feet driving playing through the whistle and his ability to change gears quickly bursting past the 2nd level of defenders. Now again, this is on the JV level so we’ll have to wait for his first snap on Varsity to see how he does against that competition but my vote is he’ll be able to handle himself. Keep an eye on this young man as he continues to hone his craft heading into the fall season.
Marquise Aaron Marquise Aaron 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Bradley Bourbonnais | 2024 IL Bradley Bourbonnais Twitter
Mr. Aaron is from Bradley Bourbonnais, he played on JV as a Freshman this past spring where he showcased what he can do. He’s a smaller back standing at 5’6 170 but plays like he’s 6’2 200 on the JV level. What I like most about this young man is the potential of being an all-around back in his spring season highlight tape. He’s able to make defenders miss, has the speed to turn the corner, and fights for every inch playing through the whistle at the JV level. All of this is a glimpse of what’s to come as he continues to hone his craft and develop further as he awaits his first Varsity snap.
Nick Day Nick Day 5'9" | 205 lbs | RB Antioch | 2024 IL Antioch Twitter
Mr. Day is from Antioch, he played on JV as a Freshman this past spring where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is his ability to change gears quickly, once he clears the 2nd level of defenders there’s no catching him with his 4.8 40-yard dash on the JV level. That being said, he stands at 5’9 195 and still has room to hone his craft as well as develop further while he awaits his first Varsity snap.
Matthew Larson Matthew Larson 5'5" | 140 lbs | RB Glenbard East | 2024 IL Glenbard East Twitter
Mr. Larson is from Glenbard East, he played on JV as a Freshman this past spring where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is his shiftiness and elusiveness on the JV level. He still has room to develop further and hone his craft. While we await his first Varsity snap keep him on your watchlist as he gets bigger, stronger, and faster.
Silvano Spatafora Silvano Spatafora 5'6" | 175 lbs | RB Neuqua Valley | 2024 IL Neuqua Valley Twitter
Mr. Spatafora is from Neuqaua Valley, he played on JV as a Freshman where he showcased what he can do. What I like most about this young man is how he plays through the whistle and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder on the JV level. That’s a good trait for any running back to have and with Mr. Spatafora only standing at 5’6 175 a good one at that. It’s too early to say but keep an eye on this young man as he develops further and hones his craft, once he gets Varsity experience under his belt he’ll be a name to keep an eye on.
These are the young men that are getting their first look at the rankings. They put in the hard work, developed their craft, and showcased what they can do during the spring season as well as at showcases/camps. This list is bound to expand as we journey on the 24’s high school careers and will continue to grow as we finish each season.
Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football, @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.