2022 Ranking Watchlist: Running Backs

High school football teams live and die by the run game. These Class of 2022 members will make sure their teams will win the ground and pound battle in the trenches. <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27978" first="LeQuint" last="Allen"] | Millville</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Allen will enter 2020 as the top running back in the Class of 2022 and arguably the best in the state overall. He is a mix of speed, strong hands, and pass catching ability. He is a capable receiver out of the backfield. Allen can also pick up blockers to give his quarterback some extra time.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27984" first="Kanye" last="Udoh"] | St. Augustine</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Udoh is a back that can carry the load. He went over 20 carries four times and rushed for 100 or more yards five times as a sophomore. This includes a 220-yard performance in a win over Cherokee. Udoh has breakaway speed in the open field and does not take long to get going.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27986" first="Jimel" last="Quann"] | Winslow</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Quann led Winslow with 845 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns. He ended the season with 12 catches. Quann is a reliable ball carrier that can move the chains at will. At 6’0, Quann has good size for a back and can turn into a next level player as soon as game one.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27989" first="Ryan" last="Butler"] | Bergen Catholic</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">butler carried the load for Bergen Catholic as a sophomore. He rushed for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. This includes a 225-yard performance with three touchdowns against Pope John. He went over 100 yards six times as a sophomore. He is one of the biggest names to watch in the Class of 2022 that can rise up rankings quickly.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27991" first="Alex" last="Benitez"] | Montgomery</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Montgomery used Benitez all over the field. He is a two-way player that can do many things. As a back, he can carry the ball in abundance or be used as a receiver. Benitez is a capable blocker and is strong in the screen game.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27994" first="Bryce" last="Cobb"] | Bound Brook</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Cobb had four multi-touchdown games during his sophomore year. He broke out for 226 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns in a win over New Providence. Cobb has areas that he can improve on but his game is well-rounded. Eyes will be on the backfield for Bound Brook all season.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="27997" first="Charlie" last="Barth"] | New Providence</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">New Providence was able to hitch their wagon to Barth and just go. He had an incredible season with 1,510 yards and 19 touchdowns. He set a career-mark with 301 yards and four touchdowns against Belvedere. He followed that up with 195 yards and two touchdowns in the following week against Johnson. It will be interesting to see how Barth continues to torch defenses as a junior.</span></p>