Mark Walton Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 179 | 40: 4.68 | Age: 17 yrs 7 mo
Why are some people down on Walton? Because he is not a home-run threat. He does not have elite speed. At the college level it would be hard to imagine him having many 30+ yard runs. That, however, is not a problem because other backs on the team will be that electric type of runner. Some people also criticize his upright running style. While it's true that his stance prevents him from plowing through people on contact, it also allows him to side-step people like he so easily does.
So why will Walton be a great back for the U? Because he is great feet, great vision, great patience, great control of his running (this means he sets up his blocks well while running in space and can also control the defender while running in space), he is a good pass-catching running back, and also he almost always makes the first defender miss.
For as good as Duke and Yearby are right now, imagine how much well-rounded we would be right now if Mike James was on the team. Walton does not have the power to his game that James had, but Walton will consistently get positive chunks up the middle. He can and will get those 7-20 yard runs up the middle, which are huge in controlling the clock, tiring out a defense, and keeping the offensive drive alive. We will be very lucky to have Walton.
Jordan Scarlett Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 210 | Age: 18 yrs 8 mo
His game isn't about putting moves on you. He isn't Duke, he isn't Yearby, he isn't Barry Sanders or LeSean McCoy. His game is about finding the hole and hitting it fast. He has the prototypical body of today's running back. He has elite game-changing speed and the size to potential be a physical force. Some have criticized his physicality in the past, but supposedly he is doing a better job as an inside runner this year.
To compare him to a recent Cane, I'd say Lamar Miller. On film he doesn't look quite as fast and maybe has a little less shake to him, but he has that direct running style to him. And based off of high school films, he looks more like Todd Gurley to me, but I'm not saying he will have that type of career.
Dexter Williams Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 192 | 40: 4.54 | Age: 17 yrs 9 mo
Williams' game can pretty much be summed up as get to the sideline and outrun you. Seriously, any time he has the opportunity to break it to the sideline he will go laterally to get there. While on film Scarlett looks to have better top-end speed, Williams' speed also makes him a home-run threat. And to his credit Williams is more elusive in space and may have better acceleration. At 192 lbs Williams has the ability to break tackles and run people over, however he is not a power-runner or inside-runner by nature.
Personally I wouldn't want him as an every-down back, but I'd be more than happy with him as an every down player. He could kill it running from the spread. Under center I'd really only like him off-tackle...sweeps, tosses, and counters. And additionally, he could be lined up at receiver and be successful on jet sweeps and catching the ball.
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Losing Jordan Cronkrite sucks. Not only is he a polished, well-rounded, and explosive running back, but he is a great football player all around. If he goes on to become a Todd Gurley then we will all be kicking ourselves. But the fact of the matter is we will have an elite class of 3 prime-time players if we keep Walton, Scarlett, and Williams. And best of all, each of the 3 contributes something that the other doesn't have.