Breaking Down The Top 10 Running Backs in the 2022 Iowa Rankings

With recent stand-outs like Gavin Williams, Creighton Mitchell, and Jayson Murray, it’s clear Iowa has running back talent. In this article, I break down the top ten running backs in this loaded 2022 class. [player_tooltip player_id="23983" first="Titus" last="Christiansen"] <a href="https://twitter.com/TitusLC2">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10061828/Titus-Christiansen">Hudl</a> (Southeast Polk) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 1) 5´10” 175 lbs. Titus is crazy explosive. He bursts through holes and creates huge plays with elite breakaway speed. His junior film showcases incredible vision as he consistently finds the right running lanes to go through. Titus also has impressive speed. He clocked in at 10.8 seconds in the 100 meter - a skill that transfers to the football field. This allows him to outspeed linebackers (and even some safeties), allowing him to be a home run threat. [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"] <a href="https://twitter.com/KadolphColin">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103176/Colin-Kadolph">Hudl</a> (Ankeny) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 2) 5´11” 193 lbs. [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"] is the definition of versatile. He can shift to slot and play in the backfield, succeeding both ways and giving opposing coordinators a headache. Colin has great balance and bounces tackles effortlessly. He also stays on his feet. Colin is probably the most shifty running back in the state because of his quick feet and patience. He is headed for a breakout season and will be the centerpiece of this new Ankeny offense. [player_tooltip player_id="23969" first="Joshua" last="Jenkins"] <a href="https://twitter.com/FlexgodJ">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12980957/Joshua-Jenkins">Hudl</a> (Des Moines Lincoln) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 3) 6´0” 185 lbs. Joshua is a home run threat-type back, exploding out of the backfield through gaps and leaving the opposing defense in the dust. He can easily outspeed linebackers and get to the third level of the opposing defense. In his film, he showcases an ability to break tackles at a high level of expertise, making him an even more significant threat. Joshua is a hard worker and displays the drive to play collegiate football. Expect to hear his name this upcoming fall. [player_tooltip player_id="24007" first="Dawson" last="Forgy"] <a href="https://twitter.com/DawsonForgy02">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11504869/Dawson-Forgy">Hudl</a> (Winterset) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 4) 5´11” 185 lbs. [player_tooltip player_id="24007" first="Dawson" last="Forgy"]’s best trait is his vision. He knows the location of everyone on the field and uses that information to enhance his shiftiness - an elite pairing of talents that cause defenders to miss at an epic level. Dawson fights for extra yards, making every yard count, and tires out opposing defenses. His quality breakaway speed creates big plays off of pure vision - a rarity in a high school running back. [player_tooltip player_id="23971" first="Lane" last="Spieker"] <a href="https://twitter.com/LaneSpieker">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10772271/Lane-Spieker">Hudl</a> (CAM) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 5) 5´9” 170 lbs. His size won’t jump out at you, but Lane is the definition of a playmaker. He is electric in the open field, creating plays that cause his student section to go nuts. He is also galvanizing in the return game and puts his offense in a great position to start drives. Lane effortlessly jukes out defenders and can reach a second gear when defenders are chasing after him. [player_tooltip player_id="147959" first="Jonathan" last="Dunn"] <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Dunn44">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11164839/Jonathan-Dunn">Hudl</a> (Carlisle) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 6) 6´1” 195 lbs. Jonathan is the biggest running back in the top ten, and his size is evident in his running style. Jonathan can lower his shoulder and blow through opposing defenders as he fights for every yard. Jonathan is shifty, as well, and makes plays with his balance and ability to avoid tacklers. Jonathan is going to be an elite running back this upcoming season and will be exciting to watch. [player_tooltip player_id="23999" first="Dalten" last="Van Pelt"] <a href="https://twitter.com/DaltenVP">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11270731/Dalten-Van-Pelt">Hudl</a> (Van Meter) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 7) 5´11” 190 lbs. Dalten has extraordinary breakaway speed that allows him to surpass everyone on the field. Last year he reached the 2,000-yard mark and was the centerpiece of the Van Meter offense. He also played defense and succeeded in that position, as well. Dalten is a big-play threat every time he is on the field and will be extremely exciting to watch this upcoming season. [player_tooltip player_id="23976" first="Logan" last="Cassady"] <a href="https://twitter.com/LoganCassady2">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11571774/Logan-Cassady">Hudl</a> (Interstate 35) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 8) 6´1” 180 lbs. Logan is an athlete’s athlete. This player is not only a tremendous all-around running back with speed and the size to make tacklers bounce off of him, but he is also a ball hawk cornerback. Logan is excellent in the open field and knows exactly where to go with the football. He has terrific breakaway speed and even broke out a ninety-nine-yard touchdown last season. He also can make tacklers miss in the backfield preventing negative yardage plays. [player_tooltip player_id="98691" first="Trenton" last="Pitlik"] <a href="https://twitter.com/TrentonPitlik5">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8136996/Trenton-Pitlik">Hudl</a> (Mount Vernon) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 9) 5´11” 190 lbs. Trenton is yet another outstanding athlete on this list. He not only rushed for 1000+ yards but also earned a spot on the 2A All-State Defensive team. Trenton just refuses to go down by arm tackles and will run right through defenders who attempt it. He is a fantastic playmaker with the potential to achieve the awe-inspiring feat of winning both All-State Defensive and All-State Offensive titles his senior year. [player_tooltip player_id="98692" first="Marcus" last="Beatty"] <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusLBeatty1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11554388/marcus-beatty">Hudl</a> (Independence) (Prep Redzone 2022 Position Rank: 10) 5´10” 200 lbs. Marcus refuses to go down on the first tackle and fights for every yard he can gain. He has excellent balance and can bounce off opposing defenders while maintaining his balance. This ability generates some big plays. Marcus frequently makes opposing defenders miss tackles and has an above-average second gear that allows him to turn ten-yard carries into forty-yard carries. He is an all-around back and seems to lack a weakness. That wraps up my breakdown on the top ten running backs in the state! Iowa has tons of talented players in this position, and it will be a blast to watch them all perform.