Top Running Backs in Orange County (1-6)

Orange County has a long history of dominant running backs from DeShaun Foster in the 1990s to [player_tooltip player_id="25122" first="James" last="Bohls"] in 2020. There is an interesting crop of running backs in 2020, some of whom have drawn major recruiting interest, and some that have flown under the radar. This list was determined based on past production, potential and college appeal. Here is a look at the top 12 running backs in Orange County. Here is a link to the running backs who were <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/07/top-running-backs-in-orange-county-7-12/">ranked 7-12 on this list</a>. <strong>6. Kenny Manassero, Mission Viejo, 2022</strong> Manassero was a pleasant surprise for Mission Viejo in the spring. He likes to break runs to the outside once he gets through the hole and he often makes the safety who has outside contain miss. He is really fast in the open field and Mission runs a lot of pass plays for him where he just beats guys to the flat in man coverage and can pick up 10-20 yards with ease. The Diablos have a great passing attack but Manassero makes defenses respect the run which is very helpful for the quarterback. https://twitter.com/ThomasHaney2022/status/1395410143601303552?s=20 <strong>5. Houston Thomas, Servite, 2022</strong> Thomas is another two-way guy who is just a natural football player. As a running back he benefits from the elite passing game Servite has. He runs low and keeps his feet moving through contact. He is fun to watch on draw plays where he has room to work in between the tackles and then lower his shoulder onto a safety who can’t bring him down. He is probably more of a college prospect as a safety but he is fun to watch at running back and is a crucial part of Servite’s offense. He is the son of head coach Troy Thomas and is also a good wrestler at Servite which explains his motor and ability to keep his feet moving through contact. https://twitter.com/latsondheimer/status/1375638743399292931?s=20 <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="142005" first="Josiah" last="Murray"], Los Alamitos, 2022</strong> Murray didn’t play for Los Alamitos in the spring because of an injury but his performance as a sophomore and on the club circuit during COVID earns him a spot on this list. He is one of the fastest running backs in Southern California and makes big plays. He can make beat any safety or backer in the passing game. I like watching him because he doesn’t dance around, he makes one cut and goes. Murray and other Los Alamitos running backs broke the school record for rushing yards in a single game against Newport Harbor in 2019. https://twitter.com/mjszabo/status/1185430760209047554?s=20 <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="115462" first="Ajon" last="Bryant"], Mater Dei, 2024</strong> Bryant is a short-shifty running back for Mater Dei who has been gaining a lot of steam this offseason. With the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="25109" first="Marceese" last="Yetts"] due to graduation I expect Bryant to fill in nicely as the second running back at Mater Dei. I saw him at the Battle at the Beach passing tournament this summer and he made nice plays out of the backfield in the passing game. Bryant is really big on the 7-on-7 circuit and we will see how he does in real game action this fall. He is the top running back in California’s 2024 class according to Prep Redzone. https://twitter.com/mjszabo/status/1185430760209047554?s=20 <strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="25421" first="Nygel" last="Osborne"], Los Alamitos, 2023</strong> Osborne transferred to Los Alamitos from St. John Bosco where he was one of the three great running backs for the Braves. At the Battle at the Beach passing tournament he made huge plays after the catch and defensive backs couldn’t keep up with him in open space. He works best in the outside run game and beating guys with his speed on wheel routes. He and Murray add a fun running dynamic to Los Alamitos’ offense, which is already one of the best in Southern California. https://twitter.com/Sunset_Rewind/status/1419311478637834240?s=20 https://twitter.com/edwardtorre/status/1378449236186988548?s=20 <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="25225" first="Raleek" last="Brown"], Mater Dei, 2022</strong> It’s no surprise that he tops this list considering that Brown is the top running back in the state and the No. 3 overall prospect. He has sub 4.4 40 meter speed, is shifty and has better field vision than most high school backs I’ve seen. Some scouts were worried about his size as an every down back, but he has the ability to stop and cut on a dime which limits the big hits he takes. He also has shown he can break tackles and absorb big hits when you watch his junior year film. He is committed to Oklahoma and he will be the primary back for the Monarchs this year. https://twitter.com/OUupdatedSB/status/1380733845268533249?s=20 &nbsp; &nbsp;