Photo by Shane Roper
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has partnered with the recruiting experts at Next Level Athlete to bring you the most in-depth analysis of the best prospects in the state of Texas.
Every two weeks, we’ll release a new position ranking for the Class of 2018, so check back often to learn about the top prospects in Texas at each spot on the field!
Texas’ Top 25 Running Back Prospects — Class of 2018
NLA Rank
Name
Height
Weight
High School
Commit
Notes
1
Kelan Walker
6'0
207
DeSoto
Houston
Injured early in 2016. Bigger back with good feet and change of direction. Impressive looking kid on the hoof. Scored multiple touchdowns in state championship game. Has frame to put on weight.
2
Stanley Hackett
6'3
195
Pasadena Rayburn
Texas Tech
Cutter, dodger and weaver — some make you miss. Long frame that can carry more thickness. Ideal “I-back". Also projects that he could end up at another position.
3
Craig Williams
5'8
165
Crosby
Ran a 21.3 in the 200 meters; 5th in 5A state track as sophomore. Has KOR skills. Can change direction on a dime; excellent lateral acceleration. Small stature but major quicks.
4
Keontay Ingram
6'1
200
Carthage
Big physical RB who had a huge junior year ; ran for 1,862 yards and 27 touchdowns and caught 41 passes for 448 yards and two scores. Can see him running out of the I as well as a spread-zone runner. Really good hands and ball skills; multiple catches on various routes.
5
Simi Bakare
5'11
188
Round Rock Cedar Ridge
Runs a 4.45 in the 40 and can cut on a dime; run through and away from defenses and doing this vs. elite Texas 5A and 6A teams. His vision is in fast-forward, which allow him to play with special aggressive mentality and leaves tacklers all of the field chasing. What a fun guy to watch on tape.
6
Joshua Fleeks
5'11
175
Cedar Hill
Played behind several DI players. Shows explosive speed and acceleration. Likely will end up in the slot but has home run ability.
7
Deneric Prince
6'0
197
Manvel
Basketball player as well as track star. Big back, strong, good blocker, good balance and agility. Elusive with good hands. Solid in short yardage, always falls forward. Looks bigger than advertised in person. The “sleeper” of the top RBs with a very high ceiling.
8
Kemoche Hobbs
5'8
170
Waco La Vega
MVP of state championship game as a sophomore. Tremendous feet. Stocky, can take hits. Also plays LB on defense and had more 100 tackles heading into playoffs. Hoops player.
9
Jalen Knox
6'0
175
Mansfield Timberview
Slot/RB/return guy. Good length, athletic build, long smooth stride. Good speed and burst, can erase angles. Averaged more than 10 yards per carry on the ground; ran a 10.92 in the 100 and 21.91 in the 200 as a sophomore.
10
Nakia Watson
5'11
205
Austin Westlake
Took over bigger role in offense after injury to starting QB. Really emerged as go-to back. Tough runner between the tackles; had more than 100 yards rushing against state champ Lake Travis in regional final. Ended year with 1,688 yards and 22 touchdowns.
11
Jahmyl Jeter
6'0
180
San Antonio Brennan
Untapped talent as a receiver, makes some really nice catches out of the backfield. Think stock rises with good spring.
12
Tyrees Whitfield
5'8
190
Abilene Cooper
Coach says Tyrees is the team’s best football player, that he can play any position on the field. 1,000-yard runner as a junior. Runs hard, low center of gravity, great balance.
13
Brenden Brady
6'1
180
Cibolo Steele
Started at WR and moved to tailback early in the season after an injury to the starter. Ran for more than 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. Good zone runner, gets to the second level quickly. North-south runner with good vision.
14
Jaelin Ford
6'1
190
Canyon
Will not be arm-tackled. Capable of multiple carries in game; is a fourth-quarter close-out type runner. Second-team all-state, top runner in the Panhandle.
15
SaRodorick Thompson
6'0
187
Carrollton Ranchview
Solid junior year, ran for 1,150 yards. Good frame with potential to add bulk. Three-sport athlete.
16
Brock Sturges
5'9
199
Allen
Transferred from Katy Seven Lakes to Allen. Should be the go-to guy in the Eagles attack in 2017. Strong, compact build. Great feet and quickness.
17
Brant Kuithe
6'1
200
Katy Cinco Ranch
Quick-twitch athlete that settled in at RB, but also played QB and WR. Valuable kick returner as well. Versatile player who is impressive at running back. Violent runner.
18
Elijah Hines
5'10
165
Houston Memorial
Played basketball through sophomore year. Regional qualifier in long jump. Natural hands, good on swing passes and screens out of the backfield. Excellent cutback vision.
19
Cameron Bausley
5'8
230
Killeen Shoemaker
Real live bowling ball. Runs upright, but can lower his pads. A true north-south runner, could see him as a fullback in college. A real weight room champion.
20
Terrell Franklin
5'11
205
Abilene
Coach describes him as a tackle-breaker with some shake. Expects him to play both sides of the ball in 2017.
21
Tamerik Williams
5'11
187
Angleton
Good track runner, 23-foot long jump, regional qualifier as a sophomore. Ran a 10.93 in the 100 and 22.2 in the 200. Shows ability to pull otu of tackles. See a rambling, weaving style of runner. Effortless runner.
22
Tycen Thompson
5'8
160
Ennis
Has not added much weight since sophomore season. Smaller running back, very explosive with ball in his hands. Can play in the slot and has great return ability.
23
Trenton Kennedy
6'0
209
Cy-Fair
Track guy. Downhill runner in an I-formation offense. Will take contact and bounce off/break tackles. Runs like he is mad. Ran for 1,292 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior.
24
Joshua Oglesby
5'9
180
Katy
970 yards rushing as a backup last season, did start two games. Runs a 10.6 in the 100 meters.
25
Kyre Holloway
6'0
175
Ennis
Has added 12 pounds since sophomore year, according to coach. Good frame and room to add weight. North-south runner. Close to 1,000 yards as a junior.
The post Recruiting: Texas’ top 25 running back prospects in 2018 appeared first on Dave Campbell's Texas Football.