2022 Stock Risers: Running Backs

We released our postseason rankings update for the class of 2022 Monday, adding over 50 new players and updating the rankings of the 90 players we had ranked before the season. In this series, we’ll take a look at a few guys at each position that have moved up our rankings. We don’t have a lot of 2022 running backs ranked, but some of those on our list had huge years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="107429" first="Tate" last="Carney"], 5’11 200- Davie (No. 2 RB, No. 19 overall)</strong> Carney’s numbers from this past year would trick the average observer into thinking the 2021 season was not abbreviated. In eight games, Carney put up over 1600 yards from scrimmage, scoring 24 times in the process. In the middle of a tough 3-game stretch, Carney touched the ball 133 times and picked up over 1000 yards from scrimmage against top competition. He’s relentless, running with great pad level and balance and never goes down on first contact. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28671" first="Jamar" last="Price"], 6’2 205- Providence (No. 5 RB, No. 58 overall)</strong> Price is a big, physical back that still has the breakaway speed that makes him a threat to score on any play. He was instrumental in Providence’s 7-2 season at the state’s highest level. He has a great motor and always keeps his legs churning, leading to extra yardage and a lot of broken tackles. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106725" first="Sabin" last="McLaughlin"], 5’11 180- Hickory Ridge (No. 6 RB, No. 62 overall)</strong> Calling McLaughlin a running back is a bit of a slight as it doesn’t acknowledge his versatility in Hickory Ridge’s offense. In all honesty, he could likely be a Division 1 running back or receiver as he’s that good at each. He moves around a lot which gives him opportunities to get in one-on-one mismatches against opponents that can’t match his athleticism and speed. In those situations, he knows how to take advantage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141259" first="Terry" last="Moore"], 5’11 175- Washington (No. 7 RB, No. 90 overall)</strong> Moore is a shifty runner that knows what to do when he gets into the open field. He has a great feel for finding holes in the defense and breaking long runs as evidenced by his 11-plus yard per carry average. He’s versatile enough to flex out wide and catch passes, even though he’s not asked to do that very often in Washington’s offense. It makes sense, as he put up over 1400 yards in nine games despite eclipsing the 20-carry mark in just two games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106709" first="Jordan" last="McInnis"], 5’9 185- Northern Guilford (No. 9 RB, No. 101 overall)</strong> In the process of doing these rankings, there are inevitably players that we almost immediately regret not ranking higher up the list. McInnis is one of those guys. He’s lightning in a bottle and a big play waiting to happen whenever he touches the ball -- whether as a runner, receiver or kick returner. He’s a great one-cut runner because he rarely has to decelerate to change directions. That shows up in the return game, where he was probably the most dynamic player in the state, averaging nearly 50 yards a return and taking two of his 13 returns back for touchdowns.