We got spoiled. Between 2009-2015, it seemed South Florida would produce a franchise back every year. The names speak for themselves: Lamar Miller, Gio Bernard, Duke Johnson, Alex Collins, Sony Michel, Dalvin Cook.
But the well has temporarily run dry. Travis Homer and Jawon Hamilton headlined last year's class, and I'm not sure anybody in this year's group is as good as those two. Robert Burns has a chance to be better, but he still hasn't put it all together. Overall, it is a thin group.
Robert Burns (Gulliver Prep)- 5'11, 206 pounds, 4.57 (Miami Commitment)
Burns is an enigma. At his best, he looks like a young Jonathan Stewart. His SPARQ numbers are through the roof. But the production just isn't there. Some of it is due to injuries, some of it is inexplicable. I wonder if he's too muscle-bound. Scarlett had a similar body type and struggled with his lateral quickness against SEC defenses. Bottom line: Burns is high risk with a very high reward.
Sophomore highlights:
[HUDL]athlete/2687493/highlights/208274376[/HUDL]
Bentavious Thompson (Southridge via Killian)- 6', 190 pounds (Miami Commitment)
Solid, tough runner who lacks any explosive traits. Athletically, he's closer to Charlie Jones than Alex Collins. He can be a productive player but I don't know if he's a star.
Bentavious Thompson - Hudl
Kyshaun Bryan (American Heritage- Plantation)- 5'10, 185 pounds
Of all of these backs, Bryan is the safest bet to be a good college player. His size limits his upside, but he has burst, quickness and toughness. Similar in style to Ahmad Bradshaw. Now that his running mate Khalil Herbert is off to Kansas, Bryan figures to have a big season.
Junior Highlight - Kyshaun Bryan highlights - Hudl
Alec Sinkfield (American Heritage- Delray)- 5'9, 180 pounds
Quick, versatile player who is also a missile at safety. May project as a slot receiver. West Virginia has offered and leads.
2015-2016 season - Alec Sinkfield highlights - Hudl
Clevan Thomas (Flanagan)- 5'11, 188 pounds
Thomas is being recruited as a receiver, but I think his best college position may be at running back. He is a stout, explosive player who lined up all over the field for the state champion Falcons.
Just the Start... - Clevan Thomas highlights - Hudl
Mike Epstein (St. Thomas Aquinas)- 5'11, 185 pounds (Illinois Commitment)
Epstein sat out last year with an injury and is poised for a big season with the Raiders. He has been on the radar since youth football and brings a nice combination of instincts and quickness (4.09 shuttle)
Sophomore highlights: Sophomore Varsity Highlights - Mike Epstein highlights - Hudl
But the well has temporarily run dry. Travis Homer and Jawon Hamilton headlined last year's class, and I'm not sure anybody in this year's group is as good as those two. Robert Burns has a chance to be better, but he still hasn't put it all together. Overall, it is a thin group.
Robert Burns (Gulliver Prep)- 5'11, 206 pounds, 4.57 (Miami Commitment)
Burns is an enigma. At his best, he looks like a young Jonathan Stewart. His SPARQ numbers are through the roof. But the production just isn't there. Some of it is due to injuries, some of it is inexplicable. I wonder if he's too muscle-bound. Scarlett had a similar body type and struggled with his lateral quickness against SEC defenses. Bottom line: Burns is high risk with a very high reward.
Sophomore highlights:
[HUDL]athlete/2687493/highlights/208274376[/HUDL]
Bentavious Thompson (Southridge via Killian)- 6', 190 pounds (Miami Commitment)
Solid, tough runner who lacks any explosive traits. Athletically, he's closer to Charlie Jones than Alex Collins. He can be a productive player but I don't know if he's a star.
Bentavious Thompson - Hudl
Kyshaun Bryan (American Heritage- Plantation)- 5'10, 185 pounds
Of all of these backs, Bryan is the safest bet to be a good college player. His size limits his upside, but he has burst, quickness and toughness. Similar in style to Ahmad Bradshaw. Now that his running mate Khalil Herbert is off to Kansas, Bryan figures to have a big season.
Junior Highlight - Kyshaun Bryan highlights - Hudl
Alec Sinkfield (American Heritage- Delray)- 5'9, 180 pounds
Quick, versatile player who is also a missile at safety. May project as a slot receiver. West Virginia has offered and leads.
2015-2016 season - Alec Sinkfield highlights - Hudl
Clevan Thomas (Flanagan)- 5'11, 188 pounds
Thomas is being recruited as a receiver, but I think his best college position may be at running back. He is a stout, explosive player who lined up all over the field for the state champion Falcons.
Just the Start... - Clevan Thomas highlights - Hudl
Mike Epstein (St. Thomas Aquinas)- 5'11, 185 pounds (Illinois Commitment)
Epstein sat out last year with an injury and is poised for a big season with the Raiders. He has been on the radar since youth football and brings a nice combination of instincts and quickness (4.09 shuttle)
Sophomore highlights: Sophomore Varsity Highlights - Mike Epstein highlights - Hudl
