Brother Rice’s Randall Nauden is young man of many interests. His father, Matthew, is a drummer. And knowing that, Randall definitely marches to the beat of his own drum.

A passion for computers has enabled him to explore different aspects of life, including trades in the stock market and using digital tools to help produce musical tracks.

“My father has his own group and has played in a lot of different bands,” Nauden said. “He’s also in information technology. I’ve been laying down beats for about eight years now.

“With that and trading in the market, I like to dabble in stuff.”

You could also say Nauden dabbles a little in football, which would be an understatement.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound senior running back dominated Friday night with 171 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-6 win over host St. Ignatius in a CCL/ESCC crossover in Chicago.

Nauden, who’s in his second season with the Crusaders after playing his first two years at Marian Catholic, scored on runs of 25 and 42 yards to lead Brother Rice (2-1).

His primary role remains a tantalizing mix of power, speed and force. He blends a physical, punishing running style with excellent burst in space. He breaks tackles and gets to edge.

The Navy recruit is a force of nature.

“I especially like to dip my shoulder,” Nauden said. “I am going to the Naval Academy, so I have to prepare myself for that hard-nosed running football style.

“I can do whatever you need me to do.”

Last season as a junior, Nauden was the leading rusher as the Crusaders reached the Class 7A state quarterfinals.

He made an instant impression on his new teammates with diligence, tenacity and a willingness to do whatever was asked, according to senior offensive lineman Tilon Foreman.

“I think one of the many things that makes Randall elite is his work ethic,” Foreman said. “He is always trying to get better and be the best possible running back he can be.

“He has great acceleration speed, and he’s great at finding the open holes.”

Nauden has a special rapport with senior quarterback Ryan Hartz, who also threw a TD pass against St. Ignatius.

Last spring, Hartz was an outfielder and pitcher and Nauden the catcher as Brother Rice’s baseball team finished second in the state in Class 4A.

“As soon as he came here, you saw the qualities he had and there was no way not to accept a guy like Randall,” Hartz said. “He’s just one of the best. He comes and works very hard every day.

“He was a leader last year as a junior, and he has taken his game to a new level.”

To Nauden, baseball was something he had natural ability to play. Football is his passion, the sport that drives him.

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And if he metes out his brand of punishment as a runner, he does so with the full conviction of knowing it’s one the riskiest positions on the field.

“As a running back, you take all the hits,” he said. “You have to prepare yourself each and every snap to go out and hit somebody or get hit.

“I love the physicality of the position and just being able to run through people, block players or catch the ball.”

Like most running backs, Nauden has a counterintuitive way of approaching the game.

“My parents tell me I’m crazy and ask me sometimes why I want to get hit all the time,” he said. “You know what? It’s just really fun to be able to run the ball, especially when you get into open spaces.

“You see nobody around you, and you just run right into the end zone.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.