Top Class Of 2021 Running Backs In Iowa

The workhorses of the Class of 2021 in Iowa are ready to hit the ground running this fall. Following standout junior seasons, these five running backs have their sights set on impressing on the gridiron and leading their teams to the promised land. Here is a look at the top running backs in Iowa in the Class of 2021: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23862" first="Nick" last="Pearson"] - Cedar Rapids Prairie</strong> All [player_tooltip player_id="23862" first="Nick" last="Pearson"] did in 2019 was rush for a junior-class leading 1,654 yards with 22 touchdowns for Cedar Rapids Prairie. That total came on just 190 carries, which equates out to 8.7 yards per attempt. Think about that for just a second. Competing in the Class 4A ranks, Pearson averaged nearly a first down each time of the 190 times he carried the ball. Behind Pearson, the Hawks reached the state playoffs, finishing the season 6-4 overall. In the coming season, even more could be expected out of Pearson as Prairie graduates 1,000-yard rusher Tariq Amir and quarterback Hunter Williams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23841" first="Ryan" last="Ostrich"] - Cedar Falls</strong> Cedar Falls made another run at a state title in 4A, reaching the quarterfinals before coming up short vs. Bettendorf. The Tigers were led by the one-two punch of quarterback Cael Loecher and running back [player_tooltip player_id="23841" first="Ryan" last="Ostrich"]. While Loecher graduates, the focus of the offense will remain on Ostrich. Last year, the talented running back ran for 1,185 yards on 165 carries, scoring 18 touchdowns. He also showed off his hands with 10 receptions spanning 190 yards and two more scores. Ostrich has received an offer from Northern State. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23897" first="Wyatt" last="Hunter"] - Grinnell</strong> Grinnell went 6-3 a season ago, just missing qualifying for the postseason. The expectations for the Tigers, though, are high this year with the return of senior-to-be [player_tooltip player_id="23897" first="Wyatt" last="Hunter"]. Hunter provided an easy transition for newcomer [player_tooltip player_id="24026" first="Dallas" last="Sauser"] at quarterback a year ago, running for 1,589 yards on 213 carries. He scored 23 touchdowns and averaged 7.5 yards per touch. Out of the backfield, Hunter was also a weapon for Sauser, hauling in 15 passes for 236 yards and a pair of TDs. He collected 41.5 tackles on defense with three sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23832" first="Jaden" last="Koger"] - Des Moines Roosevelt</strong> One of the biggest surprises of the prep football season a year ago was Des Moines Roosevelt, as the Roughriders went 6-4 and reached the state playoffs. Running back [player_tooltip player_id="23832" first="Jaden" last="Koger"] welcomed in the offensive mind of Mitchell Moore as head coach, racking up 1,225 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. He averaged almost eight yards per carry for Roosevelt. Koger also flashed his abilities catching the ball with a handful of receptions. <strong>Trey Mathis - Webster City</strong> Many elite running backs have come through the offense of Bob Howard at Webster City, and Trey Mathis is one of them. The junior ran for 1,333 yards as the Lynx piled up almost 2,500 rushing yards as a unit. Mathis also scored 25 touchdowns, including a 94-yard jaunt during the season. On the defensive side of the ball, Mathis shined as well, recording 45.5 tackles with 3.5 for loss and two interceptions. He also served as the main kick returner, averaging over 20 yards per attempt. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23833" first="Seth" last="Malcom"] - Fremont-Mills</strong> Sometimes, seeing stats from an offensive player on an eight-player team can be deceiving. That is not the case for [player_tooltip player_id="23833" first="Seth" last="Malcom"] of Fremont-Mills. Yes, his numbers are video-game like, but Malcom is talented enough to be doing the very same at any level of football. He finished last season with 1,645 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, while also making 70.5 tackles with three interceptions. A Nebraska commit, Malcom also holds offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas State and several other FBS programs.