Top 7 Running Backs in Oregon Class 6A
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2021-2022 Top 7 High School Running Backs-Oregon 6A 2021 is going to be a special year for running back depth in Oregon high school football. All classifications saw great production and talent in the backfield a year ago and will look…
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Continue Reading2021-2022 Top 7 High School Running Backs-Oregon 6A
2021 is going to be a special year for running back depth in Oregon high school football. All classifications saw great production and talent in the backfield a year ago and will look to equal or better 2019 on the field moving ahead. Here is a look at my top 8 running backs in Class 6A Oregon High School football going into the 2021 season.
- Damir Collins Damir Collins 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Jefferson | 2021 State OR – Senior-Tailback-5’9 187 lbs.-Jefferson High School
Thomas Jefferson High School in Portland is no stranger when it comes to producing elite athletes. This season is no exception as the Democrats feature the top running back in the state. Collins is an electric playmaker in the backfield and has unbelievably quick bursts in his cuts. Dynamic in the open field, and versatile, Damir is coming off a junior season where he rushed for 2,453 yards, 27 touchdowns, and an absurd average of 11.3 yards per carry. Added 543 yards and 8 touchdowns receiving. A threat to score every time he touches the rock, Collins is committed to Oregon State University and projects to be a future starter in the PAC-12 Conference.
- Nate Denney Nate Denney 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Bend | 2021 OR -Tailback- 5’10 190 lbs.-Bend High School
Denney is a 4.0 plus GPA student, and a productive ball carrier in the high school ranks. Hard-working, talented, and smart, Nate is a dangerous weapon offensively, and could also be used as a slot receiver in multiple offensive packages. Great breakaway speed with the ability to outrun all defenders. Denney has a highly productive junior season in 2019, with 2,275 yards and 26 touchdowns. Projects to be an FBS prospect but is looking at the IVY league. (FCS) Harvard and Yale are both showing interest.
- Gavin Haines Gavin Haines 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB West Linn | 2021 State OR -Senior-Tailback-6’1 200 lbs- West Linn High School
All around playmaker who plays with unbelievable pop and twitch. A quick burst and hits holes fast off the line of scrimmage. Great size and athleticism. Smart and highly coachable running back-receiver prospect. Not afraid to put his body in the play and make blocks on the outside for the running game. Top vision to see the field and find areas of space. Patient behind his blockers and productive. His junior season in ’19 produced 1,620 yards and 21 touchdowns. Also added 396 yards with 3 receiving touchdowns. In seven different games in ’19, Gavin rushed for over 100 yards. Projects to be an FBS/FCS -RB/WR.
- Clay Peden Clay Peden 6'1" | 165 lbs | RB Sherwood | 2021 OR -Senior- Tailback- 6’1 170 lbs- Sherwood High School
Sherwood runs a Wing T offense, which is a heavy run feature discipline. The more backs in the backfield, the less one individual will get feature ball-carrying assignments. That being said, Peden had a highly productive junior season, rushing 112 carries for 852 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8.9 yards per carrying. Had 5 games of 100 yards or more on the ground. Solid size, good frame to grow more physically. Good field vision, and average speed. Great hand and foot coordination allow him to maneuver his way through and away from tackles. Projects to be an FCS/Division 2-3 prospect at RB or WR.
- Jae’Sean Pete Jae’Sean Pete 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Grant | 2022 State OR – Junior-Tailback- 5’10 175lbs.- Grant High School
The 1st junior on my list, Pete is a solid playmaker with great athleticism. Still growing as a prospect and learning the game, he possesses that raw upper ceiling of developmental upside. In limited time as a sophomore in ’19, Jae’Sean rushed 60 carries for 535 yards and 11 touchdowns, 8.9 yards per carry. Could play WR and RB in college and projects to be an FBS/FCS running back.Quick, explosive, and great breakaway speed.
- Miles Wilson Miles Wilson 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Reynolds | 2021 State OR – Senior-Tailback- 5’10 190 lbs-Reynolds High School
Miles is an interesting prospect. Similar to Clay Peden Clay Peden 6'1" | 165 lbs | RB Sherwood | 2021 OR at Sherwood, the offense at Reynolds runs a Wing T Formation package. Limited to 449 yards and 6 touchdowns, his stats don’t show his developmental upside as a football player. Big and strong tailback who initiates and welcomes contact carrying the pigskin. Physical and has a good frame to grow. Plays and looks bigger than his size, Wilson might project more as a defensive prospect at Linebacker. Last year posted 64 tackles and 7 sacks on the Raider’s defense. Projects to be an FBS OLB/SS hybrid. Or FCS RB.
- Devin Bradd Devin Bradd 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB North Medford | 2021 State OR -Junior- Tailback- 5’10 205 lbs- North Medford High School.
The 2nd and final senior on my list of top running backs, Bradd is dynamic and jumps off the film. Gets downfield quick with strength and authoritative will. In 12 games as a sophomore, Bradd rushed for 1,581 yards and 7.9 yards per carrying. Has great athleticism and ball skills. Excellent vision to see holes open up in front of him. Long strides in his movement and covers a lot of ground. An explosive ball carrier who projects to be an FBS starter.
All players listed above earned All-Conference honors in their respective divisions in 2019.