2022 New York Running Backs Part 1

When it come to New York high school football, there have been some elite Running Backs from the Empire State like former Onondaga H.S. (Syracuse, NY)/University of Michigan/Indianapolis Colts Mike Hart, former Gouverneur H.S./Rutgers University/St. Louis Rams Brian Leonard, and former New Rochelle H.S./Rutgers University/Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice just to name a few. The class of 2022 New York Running Backs hope to etch their names along those three New York high school Running Back greats! And with their senior seasons in the books, let’s look at the top Running Backs prospects from New York. [player_tooltip player_id="236955" first="Jaylen" last="Butera"] (Jamestown High School) [caption id="attachment_254445" align="alignnone" width="210"]<img class=" wp-image-254445" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Jaylen-Butera_Jamestown-HS-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="210" /> Photo: Photo: Twitter @JaylenButera[/caption] What else can you say about Butera? He has great size, speed, power, agility, and elusiveness. Runs behind his pads with a great forward lean-to power through defenders and has a good jump cut to allow him to hit the backside running lanes when they appear. All Butera has done in his 3-year varsity career is rush for 4,274 yards on 480 carries and 62 rushing touchdowns with a career average of 8.9 yards per carry. With a 152.6 yards per game average. This past fall Jaylen rushed for 2,341 yards on 271 carries and 36 rushing touchdowns and led his team to a Section VI Class A championship and state semi-finals. [player_tooltip player_id="240488" first="Parrell" last="Fulgham"] (South Park High School) Diminutive running back that is thickly built, shifty, explosive, and fast. Show great willingness to pass pro and can deliver a good pop to the defender. [caption id="attachment_254082" align="alignnone" width="242"]<img class=" wp-image-254082" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/4AAB6214-F3A2-4E60-A2D0-970146A57081-300x300.jpeg" alt="" width="242" height="242" /> Photo: Twitter: @ParrellFulgham[/caption] Has good vision and with his low center of gravity can hide behind blockers until a lane exist. Electric player that’s a game changer with the ball in his hands even while playing for a school that put more emphasis on the pass. Still managed to put up very good numbers in 2021 with 1,329 yards rushing, 19 touchdowns and a nice 7.5 yards per carry average. William Benjamin Jr. (Aquinas Institute) Arguably the best all-purpose back in the state. Can line up in the backfield, slot, out wide and dominate. Big play waiting to happen and runs with power, grace and incredible balance that allows him to routinely bounce off tackles. [caption id="attachment_254083" align="alignnone" width="221"]<img class=" wp-image-254083" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/D7DB4D98-042A-415A-9D47-CFC6925467AD-240x300.jpeg" alt="" width="221" height="276" /> Photo: Twitter: @WILLBENJAMIN13[/caption] Runs routes like a WR with the hands to match. Three straight years of 1400+ scrimmage yards and double digits TDs. 4,217 career scrimmage yards, 51 career TDs, 8.4 career yards per carry and 17.1 career yards per catch.   [player_tooltip player_id="226807" first="Raykim" last="Chenier"] (University Prep) Big bruising running back with enough agility to make guys miss in the hole or space. Fast enough to break numerous 20 yard plus runs and house calls to the end zone. [caption id="attachment_254446" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254446" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Raykim-Chenier-1-300x246.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="246" /> Photo: Twitter: @4Raykim[/caption] Has soon as you click play on Raykim’s film you see a 6’1” 230 pound grown man high school running back take an inside handoff and go 95 yards for a touchdown. Delivers a punishing stiff arm a la Derrick Henry to defenders. 2021 Season stats: 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id="227070" first="Tahj" last="Jackson"] (Brighton High School) [caption id="attachment_254447" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254447" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Tahj-Jackson-Brighton-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Twitter: @TahjJackson24[/caption] Good size for a high school running back (5’11” 190lbs). Runs with a good foot to ground contact force. Very athletic and will hurdle a defender if they go low. Big time playmaker with speed, good lateral jump cuts which makes him a very effective zone runner, explosive and dynamic and a RB who never fumbled in his varsity career.   [player_tooltip player_id="228047" first="Dakim" last="Griffin"] (Half Hollow Hills East) Super explosive athlete with good kick return skills, great balance first contact will not deter him from his running path. Dakim is a running back you better game plan for with his home run threat ability anywhere on the field. [caption id="attachment_254448" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254448" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Dakim-Griffin-2--300x100.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="100" /> Photo: Twitter: @GriffinDakim[/caption] Possess a good lateral jump cut with elusive moves in space to avoid would be defenders and has the patience to allow his blocks to set up and make quick cuts to the get north/south when lanes appear. Griffin’s senior season saw him rush for 2,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id="229765" first="Leonardo" last="Lopez"] (East Islip) When you pop on the tape you see Lopez take off 99 yards for a touchdown and out run smaller defensive backs with ease. Lopez is solidly built with a thick lower body build, that defenders hate to have to tackle. [caption id="attachment_254449" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254449" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Leonardo-Lopez-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Twitter: @leolopez200[/caption] Good speed for a 6’0” 215lbs running back, who can also run block for teammates and pass pro. Patient runner who doesn’t dance, makes one cut, and gets north/south in a hurry. Has decent hands and show good adjustment to ball while tracking in the air on wheel routes where he’s catching over his shoulder. Finished 2021 with 1,157 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Damien Littleton Jr. (WNY/Maritime High School) [caption id="attachment_254450" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254450" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Damien-Littleton-Jr-1-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Twitter: @DaMienLittleto[/caption] At 6’2” and 215lbs Littleton Jr. is an imposing figure on Western New York high school fields. Runs with a good lean and in a north/south runner with just enough wiggle to break tackles in tight spaces. Runs through would be arm tacklers with his power leg drive and lower body power overall. Not a speed burner but can and will take it the distance for six and does a great job getting yards after contact. In 2021 rushed for 1,429 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 11.2 yards per carry.   [player_tooltip player_id="227887" first="Kameron" last="Robbins"] (Holy Trinity) [caption id="attachment_254451" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254451" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Kamron-Robbins-2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Photo: Twitter: @kameronRobbins4[/caption] Robbins has good size, shiftiness and a mean dead leg cut move. When you watch the film, you see a RB that loves to roll off contact with his patent spin move coupled with the aforementioned dead leg cut. Runs physical and doesn’t go down on first contact. Has a good nose for the endzone and his speed allows him to make big play after big play.   [player_tooltip player_id="244689" first="Dominac" last="Allen"] (Bennett High School) [caption id="attachment_254452" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-254452" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Dominac-Allen-1--300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Facebook: @DominacAllen[/caption] At 6’3” 185lbs Allen has a tall and long athletic build. Even though he lacks the weight you would want from a running back at his height, he runs behind his pads and will deliver a blow to a would be defender. Allen runs hard with a nice forward lean with speed to take it the distance and he gets better has the game goes along. Had a very dominant senior campaign one that you love to see from a D1 prospect during their senior season. In fall 2021 Allen rushed for 2,323 yards and 24 touchdowns averaging a whopping 12.6 yards per carry and 196.3 yards per game. Lead team to its first ever Section VI Class AA title and Bennett’s first state championship game.

When it come to New York high school football, there have been some elite Running Backs from the Empire State like former Onondaga H.S. (Syracuse, NY)/University of Michigan/Indianapolis Colts Mike Hart, former Gouverneur H.S./Rutgers University/St. Louis Rams Brian Leonard, and former New Rochelle H.S./Rutgers University/Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice just to name a few. The class of 2022 New York Running Backs hope to etch their names along those three New York high school Running Back greats! And with their senior seasons in the books, let’s look at the top Running Backs prospects from New York.

Jaylen Butera Jaylen Butera 6'2" | 195 lbs | RB Jamestown | 2022 State NY (Jamestown High School)

What else can you say about Butera? He has great size, speed, power, agility, and elusiveness. Runs behind his pads with a great forward lean-to power through defenders and has a good jump cut to allow him to hit the backside running lanes when they appear. All Butera has done in his 3-year varsity career is rush for 4,274 yards on 480 carries and 62 rushing touchdowns with a career average of 8.9 yards per carry. With a 152.6 yards per game average. This past fall Jaylen rushed for 2,341 yards on 271 carries and 36 rushing touchdowns and led his team to a Section VI Class A championship and state semi-finals.

Parrell Fulgham Parrell Fulgham 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB South Park | 2022 State NY (South Park High School)

Diminutive running back that is thickly built, shifty, explosive, and fast. Show great willingness to pass pro and can deliver a good pop to the defender.

Has good vision and with his low center of gravity can hide behind blockers until a lane exist. Electric player that’s a game changer with the ball in his hands even while playing for a school that put more emphasis on the pass. Still managed to put up very good numbers in 2021 with 1,329 yards rushing, 19 touchdowns and a nice 7.5 yards per carry average.

William Benjamin Jr. (Aquinas Institute)

Arguably the best all-purpose back in the state. Can line up in the backfield, slot, out wide and dominate. Big play waiting to happen and runs with power, grace and incredible balance that allows him to routinely bounce off tackles.

Runs routes like a WR with the hands to match. Three straight years of 1400+ scrimmage yards and double digits TDs. 4,217 career scrimmage yards, 51 career TDs, 8.4 career yards per carry and 17.1 career yards per catch.

Raykim Chenier Raykim Chenier 6'1" | 230 lbs | RB University Prep | 2022 State NY (University Prep)

Big bruising running back with enough agility to make guys miss in the hole or space. Fast enough to break numerous 20 yard plus runs and house calls to the end zone.

Has soon as you click play on Raykim’s film you see a 6’1” 230 pound grown man high school running back take an inside handoff and go 95 yards for a touchdown. Delivers a punishing stiff arm a la Derrick Henry to defenders. 2021 Season stats: 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Tahj Jackson Tahj Jackson 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Brighton | 2022 State NY (Brighton High School)

Good size for a high school running back (5’11” 190lbs). Runs with a good foot to ground contact force. Very athletic and will hurdle a defender if they go low. Big time playmaker with speed, good lateral jump cuts which makes him a very effective zone runner, explosive and dynamic and a RB who never fumbled in his varsity career.

Dakim Griffin Dakim Griffin 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Half Hollow Hills East | 2022 State NY (Half Hollow Hills East)

Super explosive athlete with good kick return skills, great balance first contact will not deter him from his running path. Dakim is a running back you better game plan for with his home run threat ability anywhere on the field.

Possess a good lateral jump cut with elusive moves in space to avoid would be defenders and has the patience to allow his blocks to set up and make quick cuts to the get north/south when lanes appear. Griffin’s senior season saw him rush for 2,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Leonardo Lopez Leonardo Lopez 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB East Islip | 2022 State NY (East Islip)

When you pop on the tape you see Lopez take off 99 yards for a touchdown and out run smaller defensive backs with ease. Lopez is solidly built with a thick lower body build, that defenders hate to have to tackle.

Good speed for a 6’0” 215lbs running back, who can also run block for teammates and pass pro. Patient runner who doesn’t dance, makes one cut, and gets north/south in a hurry. Has decent hands and show good adjustment to ball while tracking in the air on wheel routes where he’s catching over his shoulder. Finished 2021 with 1,157 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns while averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

Damien Littleton Jr. (WNY/Maritime High School)

At 6’2” and 215lbs Littleton Jr. is an imposing figure on Western New York high school fields. Runs with a good lean and in a north/south runner with just enough wiggle to break tackles in tight spaces. Runs through would be arm tacklers with his power leg drive and lower body power overall. Not a speed burner but can and will take it the distance for six and does a great job getting yards after contact. In 2021 rushed for 1,429 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 11.2 yards per carry.

Kameron Robbins Kameron Robbins 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Holy Trinity | 2022 State NY (Holy Trinity)

Robbins has good size, shiftiness and a mean dead leg cut move. When you watch the film, you see a RB that loves to roll off contact with his patent spin move coupled with the aforementioned dead leg cut. Runs physical and doesn’t go down on first contact. Has a good nose for the endzone and his speed allows him to make big play after big play.

Dominic Allen Dominic Allen 6'3" | 185 lbs | RB Bennett | 2022 State NY (Bennett High School)

At 6’3” 185lbs Allen has a tall and long athletic build. Even though he lacks the weight you would want from a running back at his height, he runs behind his pads and will deliver a blow to a would be defender. Allen runs hard with a nice forward lean with speed to take it the distance and he gets better has the game goes along. Had a very dominant senior campaign one that you love to see from a D1 prospect during their senior season. In fall 2021 Allen rushed for 2,323 yards and 24 touchdowns averaging a whopping 12.6 yards per carry and 196.3 yards per game. Lead team to its first ever Section VI Class AA title and Bennett’s first state championship game.