Senior Stock-Risers: 2022 Running Backs

The amount of untapped talent flooding the gridirons in Colorado makes this state a potential gold mine for college scouts and recruiters at every level. The senior class of 2022 has no shortage of shining talent at every position, but what better way to highlight the state’s available gems than to start with seven golden-footed running backs? These players have been steadily raising their stock value and solidifying themselves as absolute steals in the recruiting game.   [player_tooltip player_id="153703" first="Braelon" last="Tate"] | Legacy | 5’9”, 178lbs Tate is easily the most dangerous player on the field whenever the ball is in his hands, making him one of the most electrifying players in the state. He is a versatile runner who has the power and endurance needed to be a three-down back, as well as the shiftiness and pass-catching abilities of a change-of-pace scatback. So far, Tate has had four games where he has totaled over 100 yards in the contest. In the league opening win against Fairview, Tate put on a record-breaking performance where he racked up 301 rushing yards with four touchdowns off of 24 carries, seven tackles, one sack, and one interception. He has 930 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns from 125 carries, as well as 108 receiving yards off of eight receptions. As a free safety, Tate has racked up 24 total tackles, one sack, and three interceptions. Tate’s performance in Friday night’s league opener has landed in the number-two spot in total rushing yards for the state, putting him just 63 yards shy of the leading rusher. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6428692/6134229df5699d08c462c0c9’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/6428692/6134229df5699d08c462c0c9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="166903" first="Bryce" last="Vaz"] | Legend | 5’9”, 180lbs Vaz has consistently been one of the state’s top rushers in total yards since the start of the season. Even with limited touches, he has three games where he rushed for over 100 yards. Vaz is such a talented runner that he always looks to be one cut or one broken tackle away from taking it to the house. He is a well-rounded athlete who has tallied 120 carries for 791 yards and 11 touchdowns, 11 receptions for 54 yards, and one pass attempt that was completed for a 16-yard touchdown. Vaz is a show-stopping player with elite speed who would make for a perfect change-of-pace back with three-down potential. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11462843/614a74579a90e411d01472b7’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11462843/614a74579a90e411d01472b7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="213032" first="Bo" last="Lapenna"] | Adams City | 6’0”, 213lbs The immediate thing that stands out about Lapenna is his grown-man size. He is the perfect back for a power-run offensive scheme, but his athleticism makes him a valuable part in more aspects than just the between-the-tackles run game. Lapenna’s size makes him perfect for a heavy run package designed to bring the thunder, but his overall versatility gives him the potential of being a reliable three-down running back. He has a total of 101 carries for 789 yards and seven touchdowns. As a receiver, he has six receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. He has rushed for over 100 yards in four games and he has tallied 10 punts for 371 yards. Defensively, Lapenna has racked up 48 total tackles, three for loss, and two fumble recoveries. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11555447/615a3a7a9675fa061c52f87e’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11555447/615a3a7a9675fa061c52f87e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="22688" first="Seth" last="Cromwell"] | Columbine | 5’10”, 210lbs <img class=" wp-image-85939 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Seth-Cromwell-Columbine-3-300x222.jpg" alt="" width="213" height="158" />Cromwell is a running back who checks all of the boxes that separate good backs from the great ones. His size, strength, and running style are the perfect combinations for a power back. He has rushed for over 100 yards in five out of the six games played so far, and he has yet to put the ball on the ground this season. His ability to follow his blockers until finding a hole to exploit, added with his hard-working mentality is what helps to make him a dominant player. Cromwell has tallied 99 carries for 756 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with 48 receiving yards on three receptions. As a linebacker, he has 47 total tackles, three sacks, and one interception. [player_tooltip player_id="58962" first="Max" last="Jones"] | Fort Collins | 6’0”, 180lbs Jones is a tough runner with phenomenal acceleration and breakaway speed. His vision and decisiveness allow for him to find a crease within the defense and explode through it with every intention of reaching the end zone. He keeps his legs churning upon contact, making him a difficult player to bring down. Jones has 727 yards and seven touchdowns from a total of 94 carries. He has reached the end zone at least once in every game while running for over 100 yards in five out of six matchups. His hard-working mentality and refusal to quit can be seen through his style of play, making him an absolute sleeper as a running back. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12769163/6125b63164df3c0c04fb33a6’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12769163/6125b63164df3c0c04fb33a6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="135544" first="Kyle" last="Krebs"] | Mullen | 5’11”, 180lbs Krebs may be a low-flyer on the recruiting radar, but he is an absolute standout on the field. He has played a total of six games so far and has rushed for over 100 yards in four of them. He is a one-cut back who powers through creases and keeps his legs moving at the point of contact. In the passing game, he can slip out on a swing or wheel route to be targeted for a big completion, or he can be counted on to pick up a block in protection. Through the course of six games in his senior season, Krebs has racked up 127 carries for 718 yards and three touchdowns. As a receiver, he has tallied 143 yards and three touchdowns off of 12 receptions, proving that he is equally dangerous as a receiving target as he is as a runner. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11098362/61401b255b3d3d022c6deea5’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11098362/61401b255b3d3d022c6deea5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> [player_tooltip player_id="22738" first="Jeremiah" last="Leeper"] | Limon | 6’0”, 175lbs Players from smaller schools are much more likely to be overlooked than those who play for programs in larger classifications, but that does not mean that they lack the opportunity to shine. Leeper is the head-turning star running back for the best, historically speaking, 1A football team in the state. He is a one-cut back who has rushed for over 100 yards in every game that he has played in his senior season up to this point. His acceleration and vision as a ball carrier are undeniable and his ability to run between the tackles is quite impressive. So far, Leeper has 625 rushing yards and seven touchdowns off of 58 carries. As a defender, he has a total of eight tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one pass deflection. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8337312/61553cd50dc0431544646e2b’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8337312/61553cd50dc0431544646e2b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>