Listed below are my running list of running back prospects to watch including my quick take on several of the players listed here who I've seen in person either this past season or at various camps etc. No mention or comment on a specific prospect yet? No worries I'll be breaking down all of the names listed here via film/camp observations. Stay tuned.
RB TaRyan Martin East St. Louis 5-foot-8, 180pounds 2025- Onen of the states top overall names to watch this winter. Martin dealt with various nagging injuries in 2023 but still was an effective ball carrier for the Flyers despite having a considerably less work load. Runs with impressive power and quickness and has sev eral gears when needed.
RB Larevious Woods East St Louis 5-foot-9, 195 pounds 2025- Really rose to the ocassion in 2023 for the Flyers. Woods is also a strong inside runner with quick feet and change of direction. Woods was also a very capable receiver out of the backfield who also has way above average balance and also impressive vision. I also loved Woods patience and knows how to set up his blockers, then can hit the hole hard and has impressive acceleration iup into the hole.
RB Tyler Lofton Marian Catholic 5-foot-11, 180 pounds 2025- Has been on recruiting radar screens sicne his freshman season at Marian Catholic. Lofton has ideal size and physical tools who is also a very fluid runner who can and will break tackles when needed. Lofton his also a solid receiver out of the backfield and he also has room to add a bit more muscvle at the higher college level.
RB Jahmani Muhammed Harlem 5-foot-8, 185 pounds 2025- Speedy game breaking type of back who I saw live in 2022 and 2023 and who impressed both times I saw him in action. Has very good feet/balance and quickness and was seldom caught from behind. Explosive inside runner who doesn't shy away from contact who also has very good overall instincts and the speed and burst to compete with the toip backs in this class.
RB Jaiden Padilla Chicago Taft 5-foot-8, 180 pounds 2025
RB Drew MacPherson Loyola Academy 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025- McPherson, who has been a varsity starter for Loyola since his sophomore season is just as good sized strong overall athlete and football player for the Ramblers. McPherson no queastion has a ton of upside at the next level. McPherson has great size and strength, can and will play multiple positions if asked and I can see him become a jack of all trades type of recruit in the Class of 2025. McPherson runs well, has great hands and football instincts while also having more room to grow and continue to develop. Again I can see McPherson getting recruited for various positions (RB/FB/TE/Superback/LB) this winter and beyond.
RB Donovan Dey Carmel Catholic 5-foot-10, 180 pounds 2025- Is coming off a very impressive 2023 season for the Corsairs. Dey is another multi-year varsity startert and impact player foer the Corsairs. Dey has good overall speed, quickness and change of direction while also being very capable of running inside with power. Dey also has very good vision and feel for the hole and is another very patient runner who knows how to wait for his blockers to set up b;locks, then has the speed and burst to explode into the hole. Lots to like here no question.
RB Will Beaman Neuqua Valley 5-foot-10, 175 pounds 2025
RB Myles Mitchell Oak Lawn Richards 5-foot-11, 175 pounds 2025
RB Jeraius Rice Quincy 5-foot-11, 185 pounds 2025- Jeraius Rice is another up and coming name to watch here for the Blue Devils and a running back I was able to see live in person in 2023. Rice has good size and speed and a frame that will allow him to add a bit more muscle for the college level. Rice's ability to separate and explode up the middle is uncanny at times, and Rice is also a very capable receiver out of the backfield. Rice has some work to do including running with better bend and lean but his overall speed and athleticism is at a high level.
RB Nick Zbylut Naperville Central 6-foot-0, 175 pounds 2025
RB Troy Velez Geneva 5-foot-10, 180 pounds 2025- A no nonsense running back who runs hard and also runs with power. Showed tyo be versatile in both the running game as well as a solid receiver in the passing game.
RB Nick Herman St Rita 5-foot-11, 180 pounds 2025- Saw quite a but of action and carruies in 2023 and was impressive both times I saw him live in 2023. Herman is a good sixed kis who will continue to add more good weight and strength this winter. I awas also impressed with Herman's overall versatility for the Muastangs and showed his value playing in several different spots on the field (RB/Slot/WR) along with being a threat in the retun game for the Mustangs. Herman is also capable of developing into an athlete capable of a much heavier work load in 2024.
RB Stephen Carrera Taft 5-foot-7 175 pounds 2025- Hard nosed blue collar type of runner and athlete for Taft. Carrera was also a jack of all trtades for Taft in 2023 playing safety, running back as well as a key on special teams.
RB Zion Gist Lincoln Way East 6-foot-1, 185 pounds 2025- An impressive overall athlete who has a lot to offer at the college level. Gist on the hoof looks more like a receiver, but his ability to run with both speed and power as a running back in the Griffins offense was impressive last season. Gist has very good vision, great instincts and runs with both speed and good feet and balance. Again I have a feeling colleges will look at Gist for a few different positions at the college level.
RB Aiden Clark Naperville Central 5-foot-9, 175 pounds 2025
RB Luke Foster Loyola Academy 5-foot-10, 190 pounds 2025- Missed the 2023 season with a summer injury, but when healthy Foster is a hard nosed powerful runner with very good feet, balance and vision. Look for college to monitor his recovery this winter and spring and Foster has the potential to have a big time breakout season in 2024 along with a strong summer camp circuit.
RB Michael Dellumo Maine South 5-foot-10, 185 pounds- A true multi purpose back for the Hawks who just made big plays week in and week out foer Maine South all season long. Dellumo was highly effective whether carrying the football or as a receiver out of the backfield in 2023. Dellumo runs with impressive power and quickness, has great hands and instincts and was a go to guy in 2023 for the Hawks.
RB Michael Rumoro Geneva 5-foot-9, 175 pounds 2025- Another very solid down in and down out back for the Vikings here. Rumoro has a nice combination of good feet, quickness and also runs with power when needed. Rumoro was also highly effective catching the football out of the backfield for the Vikings in 2023 and no question will be a key in the Geneva offense and run game in 2024.
Next Up: Top 2025 WR and TE to Watch
RB TaRyan Martin East St. Louis 5-foot-8, 180pounds 2025- Onen of the states top overall names to watch this winter. Martin dealt with various nagging injuries in 2023 but still was an effective ball carrier for the Flyers despite having a considerably less work load. Runs with impressive power and quickness and has sev eral gears when needed.
RB Larevious Woods East St Louis 5-foot-9, 195 pounds 2025- Really rose to the ocassion in 2023 for the Flyers. Woods is also a strong inside runner with quick feet and change of direction. Woods was also a very capable receiver out of the backfield who also has way above average balance and also impressive vision. I also loved Woods patience and knows how to set up his blockers, then can hit the hole hard and has impressive acceleration iup into the hole.
RB Tyler Lofton Marian Catholic 5-foot-11, 180 pounds 2025- Has been on recruiting radar screens sicne his freshman season at Marian Catholic. Lofton has ideal size and physical tools who is also a very fluid runner who can and will break tackles when needed. Lofton his also a solid receiver out of the backfield and he also has room to add a bit more muscvle at the higher college level.
RB Jahmani Muhammed Harlem 5-foot-8, 185 pounds 2025- Speedy game breaking type of back who I saw live in 2022 and 2023 and who impressed both times I saw him in action. Has very good feet/balance and quickness and was seldom caught from behind. Explosive inside runner who doesn't shy away from contact who also has very good overall instincts and the speed and burst to compete with the toip backs in this class.
RB Jaiden Padilla Chicago Taft 5-foot-8, 180 pounds 2025
RB Drew MacPherson Loyola Academy 6-foot-1, 190 pounds 2025- McPherson, who has been a varsity starter for Loyola since his sophomore season is just as good sized strong overall athlete and football player for the Ramblers. McPherson no queastion has a ton of upside at the next level. McPherson has great size and strength, can and will play multiple positions if asked and I can see him become a jack of all trades type of recruit in the Class of 2025. McPherson runs well, has great hands and football instincts while also having more room to grow and continue to develop. Again I can see McPherson getting recruited for various positions (RB/FB/TE/Superback/LB) this winter and beyond.
RB Donovan Dey Carmel Catholic 5-foot-10, 180 pounds 2025- Is coming off a very impressive 2023 season for the Corsairs. Dey is another multi-year varsity startert and impact player foer the Corsairs. Dey has good overall speed, quickness and change of direction while also being very capable of running inside with power. Dey also has very good vision and feel for the hole and is another very patient runner who knows how to wait for his blockers to set up b;locks, then has the speed and burst to explode into the hole. Lots to like here no question.
RB Will Beaman Neuqua Valley 5-foot-10, 175 pounds 2025
RB Myles Mitchell Oak Lawn Richards 5-foot-11, 175 pounds 2025
RB Jeraius Rice Quincy 5-foot-11, 185 pounds 2025- Jeraius Rice is another up and coming name to watch here for the Blue Devils and a running back I was able to see live in person in 2023. Rice has good size and speed and a frame that will allow him to add a bit more muscle for the college level. Rice's ability to separate and explode up the middle is uncanny at times, and Rice is also a very capable receiver out of the backfield. Rice has some work to do including running with better bend and lean but his overall speed and athleticism is at a high level.
RB Nick Zbylut Naperville Central 6-foot-0, 175 pounds 2025
RB Troy Velez Geneva 5-foot-10, 180 pounds 2025- A no nonsense running back who runs hard and also runs with power. Showed tyo be versatile in both the running game as well as a solid receiver in the passing game.
RB Nick Herman St Rita 5-foot-11, 180 pounds 2025- Saw quite a but of action and carruies in 2023 and was impressive both times I saw him live in 2023. Herman is a good sixed kis who will continue to add more good weight and strength this winter. I awas also impressed with Herman's overall versatility for the Muastangs and showed his value playing in several different spots on the field (RB/Slot/WR) along with being a threat in the retun game for the Mustangs. Herman is also capable of developing into an athlete capable of a much heavier work load in 2024.
RB Stephen Carrera Taft 5-foot-7 175 pounds 2025- Hard nosed blue collar type of runner and athlete for Taft. Carrera was also a jack of all trtades for Taft in 2023 playing safety, running back as well as a key on special teams.
RB Zion Gist Lincoln Way East 6-foot-1, 185 pounds 2025- An impressive overall athlete who has a lot to offer at the college level. Gist on the hoof looks more like a receiver, but his ability to run with both speed and power as a running back in the Griffins offense was impressive last season. Gist has very good vision, great instincts and runs with both speed and good feet and balance. Again I have a feeling colleges will look at Gist for a few different positions at the college level.
RB Aiden Clark Naperville Central 5-foot-9, 175 pounds 2025
RB Luke Foster Loyola Academy 5-foot-10, 190 pounds 2025- Missed the 2023 season with a summer injury, but when healthy Foster is a hard nosed powerful runner with very good feet, balance and vision. Look for college to monitor his recovery this winter and spring and Foster has the potential to have a big time breakout season in 2024 along with a strong summer camp circuit.
RB Michael Dellumo Maine South 5-foot-10, 185 pounds- A true multi purpose back for the Hawks who just made big plays week in and week out foer Maine South all season long. Dellumo was highly effective whether carrying the football or as a receiver out of the backfield in 2023. Dellumo runs with impressive power and quickness, has great hands and instincts and was a go to guy in 2023 for the Hawks.
RB Michael Rumoro Geneva 5-foot-9, 175 pounds 2025- Another very solid down in and down out back for the Vikings here. Rumoro has a nice combination of good feet, quickness and also runs with power when needed. Rumoro was also highly effective catching the football out of the backfield for the Vikings in 2023 and no question will be a key in the Geneva offense and run game in 2024.
Next Up: Top 2025 WR and TE to Watch
