Position Breakdown: Top 10 Running Backs In 2022 Rankings

Last week we presented an offensive positional breakdown of the 2023 class. We will do the same for the 2022 class. We’re putting a spotlight on the top 10 running backs that have made their way onto our rankings with their play on the field or at camps over the past several months. 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26227" first="Zach" last="Vigil"], Rio Rancho</strong>: After rushing for over 1,200 yards as a sophomore in 2019 and 411 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior this spring, Vigil was named First-Team All-State and is well deserving of being the state’s top 2022 running back. FCS Weber State of the Big Sky Conference and St. Thomas University have expressed interest. Weber State hosted Vigil for their virtual Junior Day. 2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26265" first="Martell" last="Mora"], Santa Fe</strong>: We hardly saw Mora in the spring because the Demons only played two games due to Covid-19 protocols. But he is helping spearhead the revival at Santa Fe, which lost 30+ games in a row a few years back. He rushed for 851 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019 and is also an outstanding safety. The Demons have a dynamic offensive backfield with Mora and QB Luc Jaramillo. 3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26240" first="Adrian" last="Rodriguez"], Santa Teresa</strong>: The Desert Warriors (one of the best nicknames in New Mexico) won their first five games in 2019 and Rodriguez, a rising junior, led the way by finishing the season with 1,028 rushing yards. Another big year could generate interest on the recruiting trail. 4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26257" first="Marco" last="Ybarra"], St. Pius X</strong>: What’s amazing about Ybarra is that as good of a football player he has shown to be on the field (especially in 2019), he’s probably more accomplished off it. He was just elected senior class president at St. Pius X. Ivy League schools have expressed interest. 5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26248" first="Braxton" last="Hall"], Ruidoso</strong>: Who is the leading returning rusher in Class 4A? Hall. He had 506 yards and 4 touchdowns on a workhorse-like 98 carries during the spring. The Warriors could lean on Hall even more in the fall since they will be breaking in a new quarterback. When you have a running back with Hall’s abilities, why not? 6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134970" first="Jose" last="Montoya"], Mayfield</strong>: Mayfield could have the best offense in Class 5A this fall and Montoya is a big reason why. He didn’t have as many carries in the spring as fellow rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="26260" first="Calvin" last="Cox"] , but Montoya averaged an impressive 9.5 yards per carry in the spring (372 yards on 39 carries). Between Montoya, Cox, returning QB [player_tooltip player_id="26255" first="Daniel" last="Granados"] and WR [player_tooltip player_id="135131" first="JJ" last="Davis"], the Trojans’ offense is going to be scary good. 7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26264" first="Jacob" last="Barrera"], Artesia</strong>: Artesia has a new head coach (Jeremy Maupin) and will have a new quarterback in the fall along with a new offensive leader in the wake of WR [player_tooltip player_id="26164" first="Braxton" last="McDonald"]’s graduation. Look for Barrera to fill the void. He rushed for 452 yards on 71 carries, averaging 90 yards per game on the ground, in the spring. 8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135110" first="Cayden" last="Dunn"]. Moriarty</strong>: Dunn is one of the most underrated running backs in the state. In 15 career games for Moriarty, he’s rushed for 1,046 yards and 9 touchdowns on 165 carries, an impressive average of 6.34 yards per attempt. He’s No. 29 in our updated 2022 ranking and he deserves to be that high even though most folks probably haven’t heard of him. 9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26250" first="Daymon" last="Lujan"], St. Michael’s</strong>: Lujan earned All-State Honorable Mention honors in the spring, but probably deserved more. He’s a dynamic running back and will certainly be a key piece of a St. Michael’s offense that has the potential to rival Raton as the best in Class 3A. 10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26251" first="Zakk" last="Thomas"], Kirtland Central</strong>: Thomas was a warrior in the spring, sparking the Kirtland Central offense. His fourth quarter in the Broncos’ come-from-behind win over Miyamura was one for the ages. He’ll be one of the most prominent players in the Four Corners this fall. https://twitter.com/zacharyvigil21/status/1378780390673035265 https://twitter.com/zacharyvigil21/status/1374175516413075457 https://twitter.com/martellmora32/status/1376689987651915778 https://twitter.com/marcoayb/status/1392283109404536834 https://twitter.com/Daymon_Lujan/status/1382874659318685700