Missouri 2022 Rankings Update: Running Backs
We unveiled our updated Class of 2022 rankings earlier this week, which includes 300 ranked prospects and more than 650 total prospects including the Watch List. Click here to view the updated 2022 Rankings! There are 29 running backs in…
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Continue ReadingWe unveiled our updated Class of 2022 rankings earlier this week, which includes 300 ranked prospects and more than 650 total prospects including the Watch List.
Click here to view the updated 2022 Rankings!
There are 29 running backs in the top 300 and 65 running backs overall for the Class of 2022 in Missouri in the Prep Redzone database. Today we are taking a closer look at the top five running backs. (Click on the player names to check out their prospect pages on PRZ, including links to their HUDL highlights.)
1. Arlen Harris Jr Arlen Harris Jr 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Lutheran-St. Charles | 2022 State MO , Lutheran-St. Charles (Stanford)
Harris capped off his record-setting four-year varsity career with a storybook senior season that included winning the school’s first Missouri Class 2 championship and being named the Class 2 offensive player of the year, while playing for his father — former NFL running back Arlen Harris — and with his younger brother, Ayden, a standout linebacker-running back in the Class of 2024.
The Stanford signee rushed for 1,607 yards, at 9.9 yards per carry, added 362 receiving yards and scored 39 total touchdowns. Harris finished with 5,309 rushing yards and 110 total touchdowns over four seasons, including a junior campaign limited to just seven games.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder signed with Stanford after receiving scholarship offers from top programs from coast to coast. Harris is currently the only Missouri running back in the Class of 2022 to receive a scholarship offer from a Power 5 school.
2. Zahmari Gary Zahmari Gary 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Raytown | 2022 State MO , Raytown
Gary, a 5-8, 185-pounder, has proven himself as one of the state’s top running backs over his final two seasons with the Blue Jays.
He racked up 1,874 total yards (1,651 rushing, 223 receiving) and scored 22 total touchdowns as a junior and followed that up with 1,809 total yards (1,473 rushing, 362 receiving) and 31 touchdowns during his senior season.
Gary obviously isn’t the biggest back, but his film shows he’s extremely quick and elusive. In late June he reported on Twitter that he had an opportunity to continue his career at the University of Missouri, but hasn’t reported any offers or interest since.
3. Jaylin Carson Jaylin Carson 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Lutheran North | 2022 State MO , Lutheran North
Carson is a physical specimen at 6-1 and 200 pounds, which earned him the nickname “Tank,” and he showed his strength, speed and toughness as a senior.
Carson got his opportunity to be the lead running back at North as a senior this fall and recorded 954 total yards (808 rushing, 146 receiving) and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. He lead the Crusaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Carson reported scholarship offers from Kansas and Iowa State a year ago and then Southern Illinois this fall. He has yet to make a commitment, which will make him one of the more interesting players to watch in the next several weeks before Signing Day.
4. Dayshawn Welch Dayshawn Welch 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Park Hills Central | 2022 State MO , Park Hills Central (Southeast Missouri State)
Welch, a 5-9, 180-pounder, finished his record-setting career at Park Hill Central with 5,278 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns, both school records, and several all-area along with Class 3 all-state accolades. As a senior he averaged 11.7 yards per carry while racking up 1,841 total yards and 28 touchdowns.
If you haven’t heard much about Welch, it’s because he’s not much of a self promoter. In an era when many prospects use social media to promote themselves to colleges and just in general, Welch is a throwback with very little social media presence.
Welch signed with Southeast Missouri State earlier this month as part of SEMO’s monster 35-person signing class.
5. Wentric Williams III Wentric Williams III 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Liberty KC | 2022 State MO , Liberty (KC)
Williams proved himself as one of the state’s best running backs during his junior and senior seasons and his impressive list of high school accomplishments also includes winning individual and team wrestling championships last winter.
In 11 games this season, Williams rushed for 1,542 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns. He had 1,355 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns a year ago as a junior.
Recruiting attention has been surprising slow for Williams, but he announced in early December he had received a preferred walk-on opportunity at Kansas.
Next five:
Makai Parton Makai Parton 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Pacific | 2022 State MO , Pacific
Jace Reynolds Jace Reynolds 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Harrisonville | 2022 State MO , Harrisonville
Gerry Marteen Gerry Marteen 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Battle | 2022 State MO , Battle
Derrick Baker Derrick Baker 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB St. Louis University High | 2022 State MO , St. Louis University High
Kyle Wuebbeling Kyle Wuebbeling 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Holt | 2022 State MO , Holt
Prep Redzone Missouri Rankings Updates Positional Breakdowns
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Offensive Linemen | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Defensive Backs | Athletes