Top unsigned rushers in Colorado 11-man football

There were plenty of rushing stars from all five 11-man classifications in the 2020 fall season, but many remained unsigned up to this point to play at the next level. While some remain in the 2022 class, others who will graduate later this year are still searching for a future home to play and hope that a solid season will open the door for them late in the recruiting period. Here is a look at the top rushers in 11-man football yet to sign at the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60906" first="Noah" last="Wagner"], 2021, 6’3, 210, RB/LB, Conifer:</strong> The second leading rusher in 11-man football during the 2020 season, Wagner rushed for 1,513 yards and 19 touchdowns for a Confier team that went 5-2. He shows the ability to hit the hole between the tackles but also possesses the speed to bounce runs to the outside when there is room. Wagner can be used as a passing weapon as well, evident by his 13 receptions this season. So far, he has shared that he received an offer from Valpo and a preferred walk-on opportunity at Colorado. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58946" first="Zack" last="Rakowsky"], 2021, 5’10, 150, RB/DB, Loveland:</strong> The Class 4A Player of the Year in Colorado plays much bigger than his body frame might show. He rushed for 1,393 rushing yards and scored 19 touchdowns on the ground, but he is also a versatile defensive back with 42 tackles and two interceptions. Rakowsky had a dominant performance in the state championship game versus Palmer Ridge, finishing the night with 169 rushing yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns while intercepting two passes on defense. That dominant performance landed him his first scholarship offer to CSU-Pueblo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22664" first="Grayden" last="Bridwell"], 2021, 5’7, RB/DB, Skyline:</strong> Bridwell took over as the full-time starting running back this fall and did not disappoint. He would go for 1,263 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. A downhill runner who hits the hole quick, Bridwell gave the Skyline spread offense balance this year. Another player with a smaller frame who makes up for it with his quickness and is a tough runner who does not go down easily. As of this point, Bridwell has not shared any football offers, but the three-sport athlete may be able to find an opportunity late. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-80730 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Gavin-Sawchuk-Valor-Christian-300x201.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="201" />[player_tooltip player_id="22667" first="Gavin" last="Sawchuk"], 2022, 5’11, 185, RB, Valor Christian:</strong> He may be unsigned for now, but Sawchuk has plenty of suitors to pick from. Considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 by Prep Redzone Colorado, he rushed for 1,239 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while helping Valor Christian reach the Class 5A state championship game. The skilled back has already accepted an offer to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl next year and has countless Power 5 offers to choose from. He is a skilled running back who can do it all, from running between the tackles to the outside, running routes and catching passes, and even pass protection. Sawchuk is a top recruit not only in Colorado, but in the entire country for 2022. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22559" first="James" last="Walker II"], 2021, 5’10, RB, Cherry Creek:</strong> The other running back in the Class 5A state championship game in 2020, Walker II had a solid senior season in helping the Bruins win the title. He would rush for 1,121 and 11 touchdowns in the fall and showed off his patience and cut-back ability to set up blocks or find an open hole to run through. In the open field, he runs with long strides and can go for a big run. So far, Walker II has shared that he received an offer to Northern Colorado last year and also went to Utah for a visit. He could be a late signing looking to find the right home. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="60908" first="Dylan" last="Tressler"], 2021, 5’11, 150, RB/DB, Pagosa Springs:</strong> A breakout star in 2020 was Tressler, the Pagosa Springs running back. Not showing any rushing statistics in the previous three seasons, the senior rushed for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns while helping the Pirates reach the Class 2A state playoffs. He was a workhorse in the five games he played with 20 or more carries in four of those games and a season-high 36 rushing attempts in a win over La Junta. The Pagosa Springs Sun reports that Tressler was invited to play in the 2021 Colorado High School Coaches Association’s All-State Football Game. No offers have been seen or shared for Tressler up to this point. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-74682 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/claunch-centauri-279x300.jpg" alt="" width="279" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="22719" first="Mason" last="Claunch"], 2022, 6’1, 175, RB/DB, Centauri:</strong> Perhaps the next rushing star from Class 1A who may draw some recruiting attention in the Class of 2022 will be Claunch. In what would be a solid 2020 campaign, the junior had 1,050 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground to carry the team to the semifinal round of the playoffs. He has good size with his 6-1, 175-pound frame that should continue to grow and bulk up, and on the field he showed his speed, sharp cuts and decision making that propelled him to an First Team All-State selection. Claunch has expressed interest in playing at the next level but no offers have been shown for him at this point. <strong>Clay Robinson, 2022, 6’2, RB/QB/DB, Yuma:</strong> He saw the field as a sophomore and rushed for 556 yards in seven games in 2019, but this past season he nearly doubled that rushing total in the same number of games with 1,049 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2020. Robinson is a three-sport athlete for Yuma and could be another small-school product going into his senior season. The 6-foot-2 athlete moved to quarterback for the second half of the season, showing the football IQ he has to keep the offense churning in a new position. In a classification that features many running quarterbacks, Robinson could be the next to stand out in 2022. <strong>Noah Martens, 2021, 5’11, 185, RB/LB, Evergreen:</strong> Perhaps a player that small schools could consider as a late addition is Martens. The senior running back had a solid 2020 season with 1,024 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He has the patience to allow his blocks to be set up between the tackles but can also get to the edge in the option game and pick up some yards on outside runs when called on. No offers have been shared by Martens at this time. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="56049" first="Holden" last="Morgan"], 2021, 6’3. 215, RB/LB, Highland:</strong> His senior season was impressive on both sides of the ball. On offense, his combination of speed and power enabled him to 1,002 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground from his running back spot. He does not go down easy and found plenty of yards after contact when running with the football. Defensively from his linebacker spot, he showed the ability to play in coverage and stepping in front of passes in his zone and then could get off blocks and bring down ball carriers. No offers have been shown for Morgan, but he shows an interest to play at the next level and has the frame and numbers to potentially get a look from small schools. <h3><strong>Others to consider</strong></h3> • <strong>Ezekial Peirce, 2021, 5’9, 202, RB/LB, Arapahoe:</strong> 987 rushing yards, 9 TD • <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22590" first="George" last="Longoria"], 2021, 5’10, 175, RB/LB, Pueblo South:</strong> 964 rushing yards, 13 TD • <strong>Jeff Gore, 2021, 5’10, 165, RB/LB, Valley:</strong> 956 rushing yards, 8 TD • <strong>Kade McDaniel, 2021, 5’11, 160, QB/DB, Platte Valley:</strong> 923 rushing yards, 13 TD • <strong>Trevin Johnson, 2021, 5’9, 180, RB, Holy Family:</strong> 907 rushing yards, 12 TD • <strong>Trystan Graf, 2021, 5’10, 165, RB/DB, Strasburg:</strong> 882 rushing yards, 14 TD • <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22735" first="Miles" last="Sprague"], 2022, 6’1, 190, QB/LB, Holyoke:</strong> 871 rushing yards, 11 TD • <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22738" first="Jeremiah" last="Leeper"], 2022, 6’0, 170, RB/LB, Limon:</strong> 839 rushing yards, 9 TD <h3><strong>Other Notes</strong></h3> <strong>Tyler Collins, 2021, 5’8, 165, QB/DB, Wray:</strong> Sixth in 11-man football with 1,232 rushing yards, 18 TD (signed with Nebraska-Kearney wrestling)