AYF National Championship: PrepRedzoneNEXT’s RB Standouts
It’s no secret that running backs are one of the most athletic players on the gridiron. In youth football this is especially true, as the RB position generally is held by not only one of the team’s best players, but…
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Continue ReadingIt’s no secret that running backs are one of the most athletic players on the gridiron. In youth football this is especially true, as the RB position generally is held by not only one of the team’s best players, but one of the most physically developed. During my time in Kissimmee last month at the AYF National Tournament, I saw my fair share of running back standouts. From the Southeast to the West Coast and everywhere in between, PrepRedzoneNEXT got their eyes on some 2027 and 2026 ball carriers that are sure to take the high school varsity scene by storm in a couple of years and we have the exclusive breakdown of their skillset, size, and talent. Before we begin, I just wanted to make sure to denote that I was not able to see every single team that was playing in the AYF Tournament, so there are definitely some RB studs I was not able to see and writeup in this article. However, we still have some real deal talent highlighted below! Tomorrow’s Talent Today can only be brought to you by PrepRedzoneNEXT!
Jordan Toribio (New Hampshire) C/o 2028
The youngest RB to make the list, Toribio caught my attention while I was watching a different game on a field parallel to his as I could not ignore the seemingly constant eruption of cheers coming from the New Hampshire parents section. Every time I looked up I saw #1 in the green and white running down the sideline untouched or in the middle of navigating through a jumble of defenders thanks to nifty footwork and a long, lean frame for the 2028s. I couldn’t get more info on the young man, but he looked like a man amongst boys out there and showed size, speed, and strength in the short period I got to watch him. I’m pumped to see an exciting youngin’ out of the Granite State.
Isaiah Lumpkin (Springfield Tigers) C/o 2027
Immediately caught my eye due to his noteworthy height and length as he was sitting at around 6’1, 170 lbs. as a spidery RB and DB. He had good speed thanks to how much ground he could cover with his long legs and used that length to step and slip through tackle attempts at his lower body. I liked his vision and how he’d run with some authority behind his pads. He was battling through injuries but still flashed as an elusive and strong ball carrier who the defense had to account for on every play.
Darion Webb (Oceanside Warriors) C/o 2027
The opponent of the aforementioned Lumpkin came out of California and the 13U Oceanside Warriors. His RB counterpart was the thick and powerful Darion Webb, who ran behind his pads and was a downhill, North-South RB who packed a punch and could wear down a defense throughout the course of a half. For a bigger 2027 RB he also had some quick feet and did a good job of making the first tackler miss, either by running through them or cutting past them. So much youth football talent in California.
Arieus Finley Jr. (Wichita Cowboys) C/o 2027
One of my favorite players of the entire three and a half days came out of Kansas and the speedster of a 2027 tailback Arieus Finley Jr. I’ve already written about him a few times so I will keep this one shorter, but this kid was lightning in a bottle and a threat to score every time he touched the rock. He tore up the Southside Wolfpack defense thanks to his impressive burst and speed at the top end. He’d burn by defenders angles with ease and could take advantage of the smallest of holes in a defense. For a smaller, explosive RB he could also run with some physicality and had no problem initiating contact when he was running the rock. Overall he was simply electric and has a bright future at the RB position.
Arieus Finley Jr. – Wichita Cowboys
Jayvon Anderson (Southside Wolfpack) C/o 2027
An intriguing blend of size and athleticism, particularly at the RB position. He was a massive 6’1-6’2 and 180ish pounds and run like it. Anderson did his best work in between the tackles and kept his strong legs pumping and driving through contact. He also did a good job of using a jump cut to bounce things out to the edge when the ball was in his hands. Most likely will primarily play LB in high school, but as one of the bigger players on his team I was excited by his overall athleticism. I’ll definitely be keeping track of whether he joins a traditional CCL power or stays at a CPS heavyweight like Morgan Park or Kenwood Academy.
Aaron “Deuce” Bohannon (Wichita Cowboys) C/o 2027
The proverbial “thunder” to Arieus Finley Jr.’s “lightning”, Bohannon was powerfully built and thick in his lower body and shoulders. He ran like his hair was on fire as well, and could run through and over tackle attempts like a RB much larger than his 5’6, 155 lb. frame suggested. His contact balance was one of the best I saw of any RB at the tournament, regardless of age.
The Deuce – Wichita Cowboys
Naquan “Budda” Perry (Motor City Jaguars) C/o 2027
Possessed outrageous burst and speed that he used to blow by opponents like they were running through quicksand. There weren’t a lot of players that made me say “wow” thanks to the speed they brought to Kissimmee, but Perry and his teammate CJ Sadler both definitely had that “wow” factor. Kid could fly.
Naquan “Budda” Perry – Motor City Jags
Kesean Pollard (Marshall Heights Bison) C/o 2026. 5’10, 160 lbs.
Impressive blend of speed and power with patience and vision who could break tackles in a variety of fashions. Well built 160 lbs. with a great frame to continue adding weight and muscle.
Kesean Pollard – Marshall Heights
Malachi Roby (So Cal Trojans) C/o 2026. 5’10 185 lbs.
Power back with a ton of strength in his lower body who could run through weaker tackles, move a pile of defenders, and always fell forward for positive yardage. Did a good job of making opponents miss in the backfield and was strong and physical at the point of contact. For a big kid he was consistently the low man upon contact and he always kept his legs pumping and driving. Has the size to contribute to a varsity team earlier than a lot of his RB peers.
Malachi Roby – So Cal Trojans
Lincoln Terveus (Osceola Kowboys) C/o 2026
I’ve mentioned this intriguing frame that I like on RBs a couple of times throughout this article and Terveus also possessed one of the long, wiry, and tall body types that I’m all over in the youth football scene. His frame will easily hold more weight and muscle with ease in a high school football weight program, but as of right now he is still strong and slippery when tacklers get to his hips. He can run by and step through opponents with consistency and is not lacking in the physicality department to boot. Had some great top end speed that is typical in Central Florida recruits as well. Bright future for this young buck.
Lincoln Terveus – Osceola Kowboys
Terrance Page (South Philly Sharks) C/o 2026
Impressively shifty and could generate a ton of power out of his cuts when he stuck in his foot in the ground to make a cut. Had a wide arsenal of moves in the open field and cover a lot of ground when he’d get some momentum going upfield. Balanced skillset and an obviously athletic ball carrier when a ton of toughness and guts. He had a huge workload of carries and did a great job of battling every carry through the pain and soreness that multiple games over the course of a week will do to a RB. Very dangerous in the open field.
Isaiah Ene (OG Ducks) C/o 2026
Built like a bowling ball, Ene was elite in the timing of his cuts and could start and stop on a dime when defenders would begin to bear down on him. Also packed a wallop when he’d drop his shoulder and ran over multiple defenders in Derrick Henry/Brandon Jacobs/Leonard Fournette-like fashion. Sent would-be tacklers sprawling as they attempted to tackle #7 of the powerhouse OG Ducks.
Isaiah Ene – OG Ducks
Jerod Terry Jr. (OG Ducks) C/o 2026
One of the best built RBs on this entire list. Terry Jr. is heading to Los Alamitos High School to play football at the next level and brings a frame and skillset that could contribute to the Griffins varsity backfield sooner rather than later. He had homerun speed to go along with exceptional vision, quickness, and contact balance. He’d bring the hammer to the point of contact and popped off some very impressive runs in the couple of games I got to see him tote the rock. Very shifty and overall a natural fit for the RB position. I’m pumped to watch him in high school.