Class of 2022 Running Backs in New Jersey: Stock Risers

Prep Redzone looks at several class of 2022 running backs whose stock has risen during the first five weeks of the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206981" first="Damon" last="Phillips"] | East Orange | 5-7 | 170</strong> Phillips has gotten off to a strong start this season. He’s carried the football 71 times for 571 yards and seven touchdowns through his first four games this season. Phillips ran for 227 yards and two touchdowns during a 37-28 win over Montclair in the season-opener for East Orange. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206982" first="Jackson" last="Ferrante"] | Haddon Heights | 5-10 | 185</strong> Current Rankings: N/A Ferrante has ran his way onto our radar with his performance so far this season. In his first three games. Ferranted carried the football 79 times for 560 yards and seven touchdowns (waiting for Week 4 stats). A 1,000-yard rushing season is not out of the question for Ferrante. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206983" first="Jamie" last="Mazzacco"] | Shore Regional | 5-10 | 200</strong> Mazzacco has already ran for more yards this season than he did  in his previous three seasons combined. He has gained 616 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 113 carries through the first four games of the season. Mazzacco is clearly on our radar now. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206984" first="Joshua" last="Paduani"] | Lakeland Regional</strong> Current rankings: N/A Paduani has established himself as one of the top running backs in New Jersy via his performance in his first five games. Paduani has rushed 96 times for 532 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. He’s also caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190978" first="Lawrence" last="Hunter"] | Old Bridge</strong> Hunter is well on his way to a 1,000-plus yard season. He’s carried the football 91 times for 674 yards and six touchdowns through his first four games this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28027" first="Mike" last="Leanza"] | Bernards</strong> Current rankings: N/A Leanza has carried the football 75 times for 416 yards and four touchdowns through his first three games (still waiting for Week 3 stats). He probably should’ve been ranked before but it’s not to late to make sure his play is recognized in our rankings. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206985" first="Rondell" last="Vaughan"] | Egg Harbor | 5-6 |150</strong> Vaughan has carried the football 78 times for 499 yards and five touchdowns in his first five games this season. He averaged over 140 yards in his last two games (both wins for his team). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27989" first="Ryan" last="Butler"] | Bergen Catholic</strong> Current rankings: No. 46 overall, No. 4 running back Butler has carried the football 72 times for 381 yards and nine touchdowns in four games this season. He is well on his way to scoring more touchdowns in a single year than he did during the 2019 (10) and 2020 (12) seasons. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Butler is tough to bring down, can get the tough yardage, and can make explosive plays (15-plus yard runs) on a regular basis.