The Shape of Sprint:RB

The Thoroughbred

These are the running backs that were born to play the position. They posses all of the physical traits needed to excel as a running back. Some are tall and use their speed and long strides to slice through defenses. Some are short and use their shiftiness to stop and start as they look for daylight. Some are a little in between. No matter their build these are the running backs that are in on every down and make it hard for their coaches to take them off the field.

(MSFL) Saint Mary-of-The-Woods-College (active) RB Derron Hazzard 923rushing yards 18TD

Hazzard is one of the most complete and accomplished running backs in the game right now. The young back has a relaxed upright running style that makes it look like he is gliding across the field whenever he has the ball. Hazzard has made a habit of using his speed to leave defenders in the dust as he heads to the endzone. Its also not uncommon to see Hazzard stiff arm defenders into the turf. Hazzard is the type of workhorse three down back that every coach would love to have.

(CSFL) Navy (active) RB Hunter Gennicks 1059rushing yards 13TD

Gennicks is the latest in a long line of great running backs to play for Navy. The tall lean running back uses his long strides to slice through defenses. Despite being on the taller side Gennicks has a strong frame which allows him to shake off incoming defenders. Similarly to Hazzard, Gennicks has a upright running style which allows him to get to top speed in one or two strides. Gennicks makes running look effortless. The young back is a textbook thoroughbred style back and one of the best in the game today.

(CSFL) Penn 18-21 RB Laquan McKever 1488rushing yards 18TD

McKever is one of the most explosive downhill runners to ever play sprint football. The most impressive ability McKever had was his ability to go from 0 to 100 in a instant. He could stick and go like very few running backs have ever been able to do before him and since. Unfortunately McKever lost a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic but his career stats are still very impressive. McKever is one of the best running backs I have ever seen play and he is a great example of what a thoroughbred back looks like.

(CSFL) Army (active) RB Arthur Lavalais 995rushing yards 15TD

Lavalais has the perfect combination of speed and power. He weaves in and out of traffic as he looks for lanes to go the distance. But he also has the power to shake off defenders or run through them. He has incredible acceleration and change of direction. He is a threat to make a big play every time he touches the ball. While he is on the shorter side of the spectrum for running backs he makes up for it with all of the other attributes that I have mentioned. Lavalais is one of the most complete backs we have in the game today.

(CSFL) Chestnut Hill College(active) Lawrence Howard 836yards 10TD

Howard has the perfect build to be an every down back. Physically he checks every box. Howard has the height to see over the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped, the power to punish defenders as he tries to run through them, and the speed to get the endzone. Howard’s combination of physical traits make him one of the most complete and dangerous running backs in the game today. When you think about the thoroughbred style of running back and what it looks like its hard to picture to many guys before Howard comes to mind.