RCS Miami: Running backs' report cards

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The second stop of the Rivals Camp Series is in the books and, as always, the Sunshine State was loaded with talented running backs. Here are the ones that especially caught our attention and the report cards they earned.

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MORE RCS MIAMI: Prospects now on the radar | Five programs that should be pleased | Recruiting Rumor Mill | The Friedman awards | MVP awards | Players predict commitment decisions | Combine showcase

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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

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RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Info for 2022 series

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Explosive and quick are great ways to describe Simpkins. He was the most difficult running back for linebackers to guard on Sunday and ended up winning the MVP award over some other highly ranked prospects. Simpkins, a former Georgia Tech commit, made sure linebackers didn't slow him down during 1-on-1s and he showed off very reliable hands. Simpkins isn't very tall, but he runs with power, and he does a nice job of changing speeds while running routes and employing other techniques to get open. His recruitment is still very much wide open, and one of his most recent visits was to Louisville.

Grade: A

Gage's performance at the camp on Sunday was highly anticipated, and he didn't disappoint. The top-ranked back in the 2024 class had a target on his back from the very beginning of camp, drawing the toughest matchups throughout the day. Gage's style isn't really suited for the camp setting, but he did a good job of getting open and showing off the quickness we've seen on film. He tipped the scales at 211 pounds on Sunday and some linebackers didn't have problems keeping him within reach during 1-on-1s. As a receiver, Gage does have room for improvement, but he's a real problem for defenses once he has the ball in his hands in space. Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio State are the big schools for him at the moment.

Grade: A-

Even though Bowens weighed in at close to 210 pounds, he was still one of the more explosive running backs at the camp. He caught a lot of linebackers off guard with how quickly he closed the gap between them when the ball was snapped. Bowens hauled in plenty of catches during 1-on-1s, but the really athletic leaping attempt he made to try to catch a ball over a defender is even more memorable. If a linebacker didn't get a hand on Bowens while he was coming out of the backfield they were going to get left behind quickly.

Grade: B+

Sands isn't a burner, but he is so slippery in space that defenders had a very hard time keeping the ball out of his hands. He has great feet and expertly runs routes with crisp cuts to create separation from the defender. Sands caught the ball with relative consistency and showed that, without elite straight line speed, he was still able to have a lot of success as a receiver out of the backfield.

Grade: B

Like Gage, the camp setting isn't where Gause thrives. He's more of a power back that runs hard and uses his vision to find running lanes to pick up yards in chunks. Still, Gause is a very capable receiver with decent elusiveness in the open field. As a runner, Gause changes direction quickly enough to make even the best defenders overpursue him. He understands how to create space as a receiver out of the backfield and does a good job making sharp cuts to leave the defender out of position.

Grade: B