Futures Combine: PRZ Next Running Back Performers

Not to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through 2025 (9th grade) competed for a host of awards, opportunities and invitations to national events. In addition to Prep Redzone Next, representatives from FBU, Under Armour and the All-American Bowl on NBC were in attendance checking out some of the brightest young stars in the country. With the exception of kickers/punters and long snappers, all the positions were on display. Athletes were put through the combine testing and one-on-one competitive drills, designed to allow athletes to show off what they can do. Without further ado, here’s a look at the Running Back’s that stood out. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Big Dog</strong></span> <img class="alignleft wp-image-261361 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/CJCampbellCombine-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="254400" first="Carlos" last="Campbell"]</strong>, a Mississippi product, made a lasting impression me during the week in Naples. He was one of the stars on Mississippi’s eighth grade team that reached the FBU National Championship, scoring a number of touchdowns. At the combine, he looked to have healthy and fresh legs despite the grueling week. He’s a shorter, scat back that has a very advanced jump cut move and a pair of the most agile feet I saw down there. Has the advantage of hiding behind linemen and exploding through the line before the defense recognizes plays. Also a standout baseball player, if he can stretch out a few more inches before he’s done growing while keeping his speed and agility, he’s got a shot to go far. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Next Best</strong></span> <img class="alignleft wp-image-261365 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/GeorgeKelly-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Arguably the most impressive offensive player from Massachusetts I saw, <strong>George Kelly</strong> was an interesting running back prospect. Sporting a tremendous build, he looked almost like a wrestler or linebacker. Kelly was one of the hardest runners on team Massachusetts that fell in the quarterfinals of the FBU National Championship tournament. He didn’t do one particular thing at an elite level, but he was excellent in nearly every category. Checked all the boxes with agility, running style and passion for the game. At the combine he showed off what he could do in a bubble and it was impressive. <img class="alignleft wp-image-261366 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/MarquezWimberlyCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Pennsylvania speeder <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="209185" first="Marquez" last="Wimberly"]</strong> was another one I really enjoyed. Has seen film of the 5-foot-9, 165-pound back heading into the futures combine and he was even more impressive in person. Finished the day as one of five athletes selected for National Combine in San Antonio next year. Just a 2026 prospect, he’s been hand-timed as low as a 4.4 and laser-timed as a 4.52 in the forty yard dash. Look to hear a lot more about him as he enters high school in the fall. <img class="alignleft wp-image-261369 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/JamarJerome-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Competing essentially in front of his home crowd, Florida running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="283743" first="Jamar" last="Jerome"]</strong> was impressive. Built a little leaner and longer than some of the other stand out backs, he passed the eye test right away. Strong, muscular build with long arms. Possessed good foot speed and with the hands he displayed, he can be an asset as pass catcher out of the backfield. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-261374 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/ChrisSanchezCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />The biggest 2026 running back that caught my eye was <strong>Chris Sanchez</strong>. The Massachusetts prospect shined primarily at linebacker in the FBU National Championship tournament, but seemingly only because the aforementioned Kelly was holding it down at running back. Sanchez has an impressive frame that leads me to believe he’s going to grow to be a good-sized back. Liked what I saw from him and appears to be a durable, hammering running back that can grind out tough yards, yet could bust a long one too. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Young Pups</strong></span> <img class="alignleft wp-image-261383 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/MikelStephenCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Just a seventh grader (class of 2027) <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="243535" first="Mikel" last="Stephen"]</strong> played up with the same eighth grade Mississippi team that the aforementioned Campbell played on. Stephen has good size for a younger guy and when watching him, it’s obvious he has advanced ability from playing with some older athletes. With Campbell moving on to high school next year, Stephen should fill the shoes nicely. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-261390 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/JaydenRumley-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Another 2027 running back that looked the part of a future big time player was Maryland’s <strong>Jayden Rumley</strong>. There are muscular middle school running backs, then there is Rumley who is built like an action figure. Definitely has room to improve catching passes out of the backfield, but as a traditional running back, he can tote the rock between the tackles or on the outside. &nbsp; <img class="alignleft wp-image-261394 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/XavierBalaCombine-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />One of the most versatile 2027’s at the combine was <strong>Xavier Bala</strong> of New York. Had heard rumbling of Bala and viewed his highlights from two season ago, but came away happy that the hype matched the performance on the field. Not nearly as physically developed as Stephen or Rumley (mentioned above) but was the most gifted, pure receiver out of the backfield.