Rising star watch: Quincy Jountii

Quincy Jountii should see an increase in touches while in the Liberty (Bakersfield) backfield this fall. The Class of 2016 prospect could also join his older brother Corbin in the NCAA Division I ranks with a huge spring recruiting season and senior year (photo courtesy of Hudl). 

If anyone thinks Liberty of Bakersfield will see a dip in offensive production this fall because of the loss of Anthony Mariscal, know this: you lose one, you gain more playmakers.

Running back Quincy Jountii is one of the them on a team with four potential NCAA Division I recruits (quarterback Jordan Love, athlete Matthew Hubble and linebacker/tight end Krys Barnes - who currently holds 14 scholarship offers - are the other prospects).

The Patriots' running back got his feet wet last season with 785 all-purpose yards on 96 touches and 10 touchdowns. Now that Mariscal is preparing for his next chapter at the University of Arizona, Jountii gets his crack at running wild on defenses; something that his older brother Corbin (now at Northern Arizona) used to do when he was at Liberty.

Here's a closer look at the younger Jountii brother:

WHAT TO LIKE: Jountii is built like a college football running back at 5-foot-11, 210-pounds and he moves like a potential NCAA DI recruit. Jountii has elusiveness and a smooth plant and cut with the football in his hand. He's an excellent change-of-direction running back who can run toward the sidelines then turn up the field for a longer gain. He's got power and can carry a pile of defenders on his back while refusing to stop his legs. His receiving ability is especially potent. Jountii can stretch the field from the slot position and has shown to be an extra deep threat for the Pats' passing attack. He's come down with the difficult catches between two defenders or across the middle of the field. He can also take the short throw from the middle and rumble into the end zone. He doesn't go down right away after contact is made.

WHAT TO BUILD ON: Even though he's got solid speed for a player his size, he can always build on the skill. I'll need to see his ability to step up and block especially against blitzes. He has a tendency to run tall and can work on keeping himself low to the ground while he runs.

OVERALL: The Central Section is always running back heavy and Jountii adds to an already growing list of monster backs in that area. It's his receiving ability that got me glued to his film. He looks like a young Shane Vereen of the New England Patriots because of his versatility as a runner and receiver.