Running backs to watch for in the Big Central Conference

Prep Redzone looks at some top returning running backs in the Big Central Conference. We have a mix of 2022 and 2023 prospects on our watch list. There were plenty of candidates to choose from for this list. We went with the players who made the most out of their opportunities. Production, not potential, is the main criteria for this list. It’s about the running backs who put up the numbers. <strong>Anthony Robinson|5-10|175|Scotch Plains-Fanwood</strong> Robinson carried the football 74 times for 559 yards and six touchdowns in seven games last season. Robinson posted two games of 100-plus yards last season against Linden (146) and Colonia (133). He's a little on the smallish side and has okay speed. Robinson does make up for it with his vision and toughness. [player_tooltip player_id="27994" first="Bryce" last="Cobb"]<strong>|6-1|210|Bound Brook</strong> Cobb rushed 73 times for 545 yards and two touchdowns in five games during the 2020 season. Cobb started the 2020 season strong, averaging over 100 yards per game. For whatever reason, he only received 10 carries in his final two games last season. Cobb's size, strength, and north-south style of running makes him hard to tackle. [player_tooltip player_id="27997" first="Charlie" last="Barth"]|<strong>6-0|215|New Providence</strong> Barth had a monstrous junior year season. Barth carried the football 186 times for 1,702 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He found time to lead his team in total tackles with 115. I am surprised that he doesn't have any FCS offers. He's a one-cut and go type of runner and he has some decent speed. He's a perfect fit at that level. <strong>Joel Marellis|St. Thomas Aquinas</strong> Marellis carried the football 103 times for 579 yards and five touchdowns in seven games last season. He averaged over 120 yards in his first three games last season. <strong>Josh Prophete|5-11|190|Colonia</strong> Prophete gained 401 yards and scored three touchdowns off 86 carries in six games during eight games last season. Most likely, he'll end up at the linebacker position at the next level if he doesn't get a little faster. <strong>Lawrence Hunter III|5-10|190|Old Bridge</strong> Hunter had a strong junior year during the 2020 season. He carried the football 126 times for 779 yards and eight touchdowns in six games last season. What makes Hunter’s performance last year special is that he rushed for at least 100 yards in all seven games. <strong>Lucas Hudkins|6-0|200|Ridge</strong> Hudkins was part of a productive backfield at Ridge HS last season. Hudkins carried the football 118 times for 731 yards and six touchdowns in seven games last season. He shared carries with Michael Olivio (see below). Hudkins ran for 150-plus yards in three out of those seven games. Michael Leanza|5-9|190|Bernards Leanza carried the football 102 times for 642 yards and ten touchdowns in seven games last season. Leanza had three 100-plus yards last year. Tyler Scott|Monroe Township Scott carried the football 98 times for 522 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last season. &nbsp;