Position Breakdown: Top 10 Running Backs In 2022 Rankings
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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…
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Continue ReadingLast 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. Zach Vigil Zach Vigil 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM , Rio Rancho: 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. Martell Mora Martell Mora 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Santa Fe High | 2022 State NM , Santa Fe: 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. Adrian Rodriguez Adrian Rodriguez 5'9" | RB Santa Teresa | 2022 State NM , Santa Teresa: 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. Marco Ybarra Marco Ybarra 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB St. Pius X | 2022 State NM , St. Pius X: 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. Braxton Hall Braxton Hall RB Ruidoso | 2022 State NM , Ruidoso: 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. Jose Montoya Jose Montoya 5'8" | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM , Mayfield: 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 Calvin Cox Calvin Cox 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2022 State NM , but Montoya averaged an impressive 9.5 yards per carry in the spring (372 yards on 39 carries). Between Montoya, Cox, returning QB Daniel Granados Daniel Granados QB Mayfield | 2022 State NM and WR JJ Davis JJ Davis 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Mayfield | 2022 State NM , the Trojans’ offense is going to be scary good.
7. Jacob Barrera Jacob Barrera 5'5" | RB Artesia | 2022 State NM , Artesia: 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 Braxton McDonald Braxton McDonald 5'10" | WR Artesia | 2021 State NM ’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. Cayden Dunn Cayden Dunn 6'1" | 180 lbs | RB Moriarty | 2022 State NM . Moriarty: 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. Daymon Lujan Daymon Lujan 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB St. Michael's | 2022 State NM , St. Michael’s: 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. Zakk Thomas Zakk Thomas 5'10" | RB Kirtland Central | 2022 State NM , Kirtland Central: 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://t.co/YLHO7LdkVq Junior Covid season in the books
411 rushing yards
7 rushing TDs— Zach Vigil (@zacharyvigil21) April 4, 2021
Thank you @weberstatefb for having me on their virtual Junior Day. Excited for what the program holds with the amazing coaches and facilities. @ursua05 @CoachConley66 pic.twitter.com/1fH83wZWPL
— Zach Vigil (@zacharyvigil21) March 23, 2021
Season came to an end, only got 2 games but am thankful I got the chance to play here’s those highlights from those 2 games!!I was just getting started and ain’t stopping for next seasonhttps://t.co/KbpYMhu6eA
— Martell Mora (@martellmora32) March 30, 2021
Blessed to announce I am officially the STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT OF ST PIUS X HIGH. Let's get to work! 🙏🏽🔥 https://t.co/FC8NmBwEuj
— Marco Ybarra (@marcoayb) May 12, 2021
Officially invited to the Hawaii Tiki Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii! https://t.co/QCJewPsn8o #HawaiiTikiBowl Honored by the invite! Thank you @HawaiiTikiBowl for the opportunity to play in Hawaii!🏝@PrepRedzoneNM @nmpreps @8Gradys @_NMAA @CoachGibson32 @CoachArunGomez @thenewmexican
— Daymon Lujan (@Daymon_Lujan) April 16, 2021