This kid has everything you look for in a feature back, which is why he's a 4-star (5.8) prospect on Rivals and the No. 190 player overall in the class of 2020.
Though Love doesn't have elite initial quickness - if he did he would be a 5-star - he gets a fast start and has good quickness to the hole. His vision for a high school back is exceptional. The Trinity offensive line does make wide running lanes for him so we see him in space a lot on his film. Still, Love always seems to make the right cut. He's sees the crease and bursts through it.
Love will be at his best on the inside zone plays and quick traps. He's patient in letting the play develop, then finding the cut-back lane. I love to see backs who have the natural instinct to bounce off tacklers, stay upright, and keep their legs moving, and Love is that kind of back. At the high school level, one defender has trouble getting a grip on him and bringing him down. He's not a prototypical power back at 5-foot-10 and around 185 pounds, but he has functional strength and a low center of gravity. Great balance on this kid. He retains body control when he's hit and stays on his feet.
Love isn't a track star guy like a Mookie Cooper or AJ Henning, so his speed to the corner isn't elite. He's more of a runner who cuts back against the flow, then turns on an extra gear once he breaks into the second tier. He's not a dancer. Love cuts with a purpose, makes a guy miss, then heads up field. He also has soft hands catching the football out of the backfield. He's going to be a monster on screens, flat routes, etc. And he's a very willing pass blocker.
Overall, Illinois is getting an every-down back who will be featured in their offense and be a potential All-Big Ten performer down the road.
Though Love doesn't have elite initial quickness - if he did he would be a 5-star - he gets a fast start and has good quickness to the hole. His vision for a high school back is exceptional. The Trinity offensive line does make wide running lanes for him so we see him in space a lot on his film. Still, Love always seems to make the right cut. He's sees the crease and bursts through it.
Love will be at his best on the inside zone plays and quick traps. He's patient in letting the play develop, then finding the cut-back lane. I love to see backs who have the natural instinct to bounce off tacklers, stay upright, and keep their legs moving, and Love is that kind of back. At the high school level, one defender has trouble getting a grip on him and bringing him down. He's not a prototypical power back at 5-foot-10 and around 185 pounds, but he has functional strength and a low center of gravity. Great balance on this kid. He retains body control when he's hit and stays on his feet.
Love isn't a track star guy like a Mookie Cooper or AJ Henning, so his speed to the corner isn't elite. He's more of a runner who cuts back against the flow, then turns on an extra gear once he breaks into the second tier. He's not a dancer. Love cuts with a purpose, makes a guy miss, then heads up field. He also has soft hands catching the football out of the backfield. He's going to be a monster on screens, flat routes, etc. And he's a very willing pass blocker.
Overall, Illinois is getting an every-down back who will be featured in their offense and be a potential All-Big Ten performer down the road.
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