The more things change, the more they stay the same. We’ve seen the pendulum swing back in favor of the running game and running backs in the NFL. Obviously the run game and the value of it have never gone anywhere, but this season there is more of an emphasis on being able to dictate and/or dominate in that specific area of offense.
With that being the new thing, it has also created the need for teams to be well stocked at that position. Thankfully, we’re seeing a bevy of talent across the college football landscape with draftable talent at the position. Heck, we even have a legit Heisman candidate (Ashton Jeanty) that’s a running back. Go figure.
Scouring the small-college landscape, you see some prospects who are either homegrown talent, JUCO transfers or guys from the FBS who have transferred down to get more playing time. Regardless, it has created a boom of talented backs this season in the 2025 draft class.
In this week’s Hunt Report, we take a look across the country, and even into Canada, to spotlight some of these backs you need to put on your scouting radar.
- Height: 5-foot-11
- Weight: 211 pounds
- School: Missouri State
- Next game: Northern Iowa (Oct. 26)
Wright is supremely explosive as a runner, bringing all sorts of power and aggressiveness with him as well. What I love most about his game is that he is running with a purpose, which allows him to really put defenders in a bind. He attacks the perimeter well on outside zone runs and then subsequently can plant his foot in the ground and accelerate if he sees a cutback lane. He also takes pride and enthusiasm in his blocking, either when blocking in the run game or in pass protection. Wright’s game is very similar to that of current 49ers tailback Jordan Mason.
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 225 pounds
- School: Northern Iowa
- Next game: Missouri State (Oct. 26)
One of the more physically imposing backs in the FCS is Tye Edwards. He stands a legit 6-foot-3 and is a legit 225 pounds. He really stands out on film because of his stature and his play. The natural leverage he has really helps out in pass protection, because he’s able to take on blitzers with ease, showing proficiency in that regard. As a runner, he’s got very good footwork and lateral quickness/agility to work through the trash at the line of scrimmage rather well. I think he’s surprisingly quick for a guy his size. Edwards is a three-down player who should garner a lot of attention come postseason all-star game time.
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Weight: 195 pounds
- School: Tarleton State
- Next game: Austin Peay (Oct. 26)
Touchdowns and chunk plays are what come to mind with regards to Britten’s game. He’s an explosive, compactly-built runner who can use his stature to his advantage in the run game. Being a shorter back, he’s able to really hide behind his offensive linemen before being shot out of a cannon when he sees a lane. There are no wasted movements within his style as well, because he’s got great ability to cut on a dime without losing speed. This season he’s shown he can handle volume, as he has four games with 25 carries or more.
- Height: 5-foot-9
- Weight: 205 pounds
- School: Jackson State
- Next game: Bethune Cookman (Oct. 26)
Mulligan does not in fact need a mulligan when he hits the corner. He has insane acceleration and explosiveness for the position, and he has the ability to hit the home run from anywhere on the field. In fact, his first-step quickness and explosiveness is quite threatening — almost Keaton Mitchell-like in that regard. I believe he has the type of running ability to thrive in any type of scheme. Although he doesn’t have the collegiate experience, his skill set is tailor-made to thrive as a kickoff return specialist as a pro.
- Height: 5-foot-7
- Weight: 200 pounds
- School: Charleston (WV)
- Next game: Fairmont State (Oct. 25)
Wright is a Redshirt junior, but it has been hard to ignore the level of production he’s putting together this season for the Eagles. So far, he’s posted two 200-yard games and averages three rushing touchdowns per game. Against a very good Frostburg State team, he lit them up for 225 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He’s a short, not small type back that has tremendous balance and body control. Both attributes combine with his quickness and burst to help him rip off long runs.
- Height: 6-foot
- Weight: 220 pounds
- School: Saint Mary’s (Canada)
- Next game: St. Francis Xavier (Oct. 26)
Williams is a well-built runner who has the type of footwork you look for in a tailback. There’s a level of quiet pitter-patter that he uses at the line of scrimmage to get across the different gaps in the run game. For a taller back, he’s able to run with very good pad level and leverage, which lets him burrow through defenders and weak arm tackle attempts. Coming off his best game of the season against Mount Allison two weeks ago, rushing for 132 yards on 22 carries, I’m interested to see how he closes out the season this weekend at SFX.
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Author: Emory Hunt
October 22, 2024 | 3:26 pm
