Breaking down the top 10 Indiana state rushing leaders
In this article:
Three games in and players across the state have been able to make their marks. It’s not a fluke that these players have had good games, they’ve put together more than just one big time performance. With that in mind,…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThree games in and players across the state have been able to make their marks. It’s not a fluke that these players have had good games, they’ve put together more than just one big time performance. With that in mind, it’s time to review their film and break down why these top 10 rushers in the state of Indiana have been so successful over their first three contests.
2023 New Prairie RB Noah Mungia Noah Mungia 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB New Prairie | 2023 State IN (5’8” and 195lbs) @MungiaNoah
Season stats: 83 carries for 789 yards with 11 TDs and fumble
When ranking the 2023 backs, I downgraded Mungia due to his smaller stature, but after what he’s done so far this fall, he’s going to be moving up in the next update. Not the fastest back, but his vision is very good, a low center of gravity helps him bounce off would be tacklers. Mungia creates good angles for himself, using his blockers very well. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder to gain extra yards, many of which come after contact. Mungia is a grinder, who if he stays healthy, could be atop the rushing charts when the season comes to an end.
2024 Noblesville RB Logan Shoffner (5’5” and 130lbs) @loganshoff1
Season stats: 55 carries for 728 yards with 8 TDs
Another successful back that is one the smaller side, Shoffner hides well behind his line and explodes when he sees a hole. For his size, he does a great job at running through contact. Yes, the Wing-T offense is a bit gimmicky, but Noblesville is playing tho their strength, a massive offensive line. Shoffner has quick feet and if fairly shifty, while having good balance as well. As long as he continues to rack up carries, I can’t see why he won’t be among the states rushing leaders at seasons end.
2024 Rochester RB Alex Deming
Season stats: 82 carries for 716 yards with 9 TDs and 2 fumbles
Not much to go off on tape, Deming does show very good vision. He’s not the fastest back, but there’s enough speed to get to the corner and break off chunk plays. Deming is not easy to tackle, has good balance when he gets hit. Going high to tackle him isn’t the best idea, the strength is evident. He will need to improve on his speed and elusiveness but Deming could be a solid power back in the future.
2022 Central Noble RB Will Hoover @WillHoover19
Season stats: 69 carries for 653 yards with 11 TDs
Although he’s had a massive season, there is no tape on Hoover. He deserves a mention, due to a very impressive season so far, but it’s obviously hard to judge what kind of player he really is.
2023 Oak Hill RB Kyle Turanchick (6’ and 180lbs) @kturanchick12
Season stats: 72 carries for 615 yards with 11 TDs
Another player out of the Wing-T, Turanchick does benefit from playing out of that offense. His skill set however would translate over to a zone read, he’s got the speed and vision needed to be successful in a more modern type of offense. Turanchick is tough to bring down, he just runs right through arm tackles. He’s got great hands out of the backfield as well. I’d love to see what he could do in an offense that more colleges run, but I believe that the skills Turanchick has could be an asset at the next level.
2023 Clarksville RB Robert Lamar Robert Lamar 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Clarksville | 2023 State IN @RobertLamarJr1
Season stats: 65 carries for 584 yards with 7 TDs and fumble
Shifty and quick, Lamar has breakaway speed that many schools are looking for. Once he’s able to hit the corner, Lamar can outrace a defense. He’s got great moves in small spaces, solid hands out of the backfield as well. Although there wasn’t much tape to review, Lamar could be an option for teams if he continues to show the kind of ability on his highlights.
2022 Scottsburg RB Traven Crawford (5’8” and 173lbs)
Season stats: 58 carries for 566 yards and 7 TDs and fumble
A good center of gravity, Crawford uses his balance to take hits and continue to move ahead. He’s got solid speed along with good vision, he hides well behind his linemen. Crawford is a factor in the passing game as well, he runs screen plays very well. He’s not a between the tackles type runner, but he can get to the boundary well.
2022 Valparaiso RB Hayden Vinyard
Season stats: 61 carries for 566 yards with 7 TDs and fumble
A nimble back, Vinyard shows some good shiftiness and cutting ability. His vision is solid as well, he’s able to jump cut to get to his hole and has decent acceleration to get past defenders. Vinyard also is a good blocker, who will look to initiate contact.
2022 Rensselaer Central RB Dylan Kidd (5’9” and 190lbs)
Season stats: 71 carries for 514 yards and 8 TDs and fumble
His right hand stiff arm is impressive, Kidd has solid speed to get to the outside and use it to gain extra yards. He’s not easy to take, defenders have to go low in order to make sure they take him out by his legs. Many of his runs attack the outside, running off either tackle, so he’s not much of an inside runner. There is however some power to his game, especially at the goal line where he can churn out the tough yards with his strong legs.
2024 New Palestine RB Grayson Thomas Grayson Thomas 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB New Palestine | 2024 State IN (6’ and 175lbs) @GraysonThomas04
Season stats: 62 carries for 497 yards with 7 TDs and 2 fumbles
With speed to rip off chunk plays every time he touches the ball, Thomas shows solid patience while he waits for holes to open up. He does a bit of everything, running inside, outside, catching passes as the check down, Thomas shows a lot to like. He’s just a sophomore so he just scratching the surface, a great frame that he’ll continue to add on weight and get stronger and faster. Thomas has a lot of qualities you like to see out of a back and he’s one that teams should be considering a very viable option at the next level.