Top Class Of 2022 Running Backs
Becoming a featured running back as a sophomore at the varsity level can be difficult. But these players were able to do just that and more in 2019, shining as the main ballcarrier for their respective teams. Moving forward, make…
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Continue ReadingBecoming a featured running back as a sophomore at the varsity level can be difficult. But these players were able to do just that and more in 2019, shining as the main ballcarrier for their respective teams.
Moving forward, make sure to keep an eye on them as they progress and learn the offense even more in-depth with added reps and practice time.
Here’s a look at some of the top running back prospects in Iowa in the Class of 2022.
Lane Spieker Lane Spieker 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB CAM | 2022 State IA – CAM
The offense for CAM in 2019 was a heavy dose of Lane Spieker Lane Spieker 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB CAM | 2022 State IA left, right and up the middle.
Spieker delivered for the Cougars, leading them to eight wins and the state quarterfinals by running for 1,614 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns. He flashed his dual-threat abilities with 338 yards receiving and five more scores.
He hardly came off the field for CAM, making 47 tackles, including four for loss and two sacks, on defense while also picking off three passes and returning 30 combined kickoffs and punts for over 500 yards.
Spieker had a season-high of 264 yards on the ground and 329 all-purpose yards in a 64-28 victory over Bedford.
Beau Flanders – English Valleys
Balancing out the offense for English Valleys last year was sophomore running back Beau Flanders, as he ran for nearly all of the positive yards from scrimmage for the team.
English Valleys had just over 1,600 yards as a collective unit, with Flanders accounting for 1,309 of those. He also scored 15 of the 24 rushing touchdowns for the Bears and also added nine receptions for another 51 yards.
Despite carrying the ball over 200 times, Flanders also found time to make 43.5 tackles on defense and force four turnovers.
Flanders went for 242 rushing yards in a loss for his season-high last year.
Lawson Losee – Riceville
Riceville was engaged in some fun shootouts this past season, with sophomore running back Lawson Losee providing much of the firepower.
Losee ran for 1,104 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on 218 carries, adding another 128 yards and a score with his hands. Like so many on this list, he was also a two-way starter, recording 72 tackles and four sacks on defense with five forced turnovers.
Losee had 220 all-purpose yards and 175 on the ground in a six-point setback to Janesville.
Gavin Cornelison – ACGC
Over 200 times, ACGC handed the ball off to sophomore running back Gavin Cornelison.
And Cornelison delivered time and time again, averaging over five yards per carry. He finished the season with 204 total attempts for 1,103 yards and 19 touchdowns.
On defense, Cornelison made 43.5 tackles including 17 solo stops with a pair of forced turnovers.
Aiden Anderson – Monroe-PCM
One of the top rushing attacks in the state in 2019 was Monroe-PCM, as the Mustangs galloped to the tune of 2,654 yards and 32 rushing scores.
The lead horse behind the attack was sophomore Aiden Anderson, as he recorded 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns on 133 carries. Anderson, who also had 13 receptions for 223 yards, averaged over eight yards per carry.
He even handled six kickoff returns, returning one 92 yards for a score and averaging 34 yards per touch on special teams.
In a matchup with the eventual state champions OABCIG in the state quarterfinals, Anderson ran for 298 yards for Monroe-PCM.
Kael Kolarik – Indianola
After a bit of a slow start, Indianola caught fire, finishing the year with six wins and a berth in the Class 4A state playoffs.
Sophomore running back Kael Kolarik was a big reason for the success of the Indians, as he ran for 1,002 yards on just 160 carries. Kolarik averaged over six yards per carry and scored 17 times.
Like so many of the new-wave of running back, Kolarik showed his abilities in the passing game, catching 24 passes which tied for the team lead. He had 281 yards on those receptions and a score.
Colin Kadolph Colin Kadolph 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2022 State IA – Ankeny
In 2019, Ankeny’s Colin Kadolph Colin Kadolph 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2022 State IA just hit the rushing milestone of 1,000 yards, doing so on 163 carries with 16 touchdowns.
Kadolph, part of a high-octane offense with quarterback Jase Bauer Jase Bauer 6'1" | 205 lbs | QB Ankeny | 2021 State IA and University of Iowa recruit Brody Brecht Brody Brecht 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Ankeny | 2021 State IA at wide receiver, averaged over six yards per carry. He also hauled in 10 passes for 132 yards and another score.
Kjuan Owens Kjuan Owens 6'0" | 240 lbs | RB Waterloo East | 2022 IA – Waterloo East
He might have missed out on reaching 1,000 yards as a sophomore, but you can bet Waterloo East’s Kjuan Owens Kjuan Owens 6'0" | 240 lbs | RB Waterloo East | 2022 IA has that number in mind this coming fall.
Owens did rack up 915 yards on just 127 carries with eight touchdowns, averaging over seven yards per attempt. He also had 26 receptions for 364 yards in the passing game.
He had 317 yards in a 41-13 win over Newton for Waterloo East.