Paul Erredges POSITION TOP 5: Running Back (5A)

Iowa has officially become loaded with halfbacks. There are countless names that are going to go to big colleges some of which are already committed. Last year was kind of a down year with running backs but its the complete opposite this year. <em>My rankings are based on stats, performance, skills, and team success. I am only including halfbacks on this list, if a player played multiple positions they will be featured in a different article! Feel free to message me on Twitter if you have a question or a different opinion. </em> <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"] (Ankeny) 2022 5´10 170 lbs </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103176/Colin-Kadolph">Hudl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KadolphColin">Twitter</a> No one had quite the statistical year that Kadolph had. Kadolph rushed for 1,801 yards, 23 rushing touchdowns, and 6.9 yards per carry. Those stats are far and away the best out of every single halfback in the state especially against 5A competition. Kadolph has a incredible burst that leads to <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO13news/status/1439045504797749249">breakaway touchdowns</a> almost routinely. I was extremely impressed with him this season and in my opinion he should have won player of the year for the state of Iowa (hard to beat [player_tooltip player_id="23942" first="Xavier" last="Nwankpa"]). Overall he is a tremendous prospect that currently is committed to Mankato State University. <strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="23969" first="Joshua" last="Jenkins"] (Des Moines Lincoln) 2022 6´0 184 lbs </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12980957/Joshua-Jenkins">Hudl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FlexgodJ">Twitter</a> Jenkins is one of the most underrated prospects I have ever seen. He has the perfect combo of size and speed that resulted in a stellar season. Jenkins rushed for 1,113 yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, and 8.2 yards per carry and he did all that in nine games. No doubt Jenkins would of been a 1,500+ rusher if he had a better offensive line and a playoff caliber team (hard to do when your town is split into four).  Jenkins recently received a PWO from Iowa State so it looks like college coaches are starting to recognize his name. <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="246740" first="Abu" last="Sama"] (Southeast Polk) 2023 5´11 180 lbs </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12782759/Abu-Sama">Hudl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AB3_sama">Twitter</a> Sama started the season at defensive back but after Titus Christansens injury Sama filled in for him at halfback. This move ended up leading Southeast Polk to a state championship. Sama was sensational this season at fighting for <a href="https://twitter.com/BlairRIVALS/status/1461893923698364428">extra yards</a> and breaking weak arm tackles that a lot of high school corner backs try to do. Sama currently has not been given a offer by a FBS or FCS school, but I imagine that will change by the end of the 2023 season. <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="243142" first="Darren" last="Richardson"] (Iowa City High) 2022 6´0 200 lbs </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11347919/Darren-Richardson">Hudl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/24_DRichardson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a> Richardson was a major part of Iowa City Highs Cinderella run. Richardson is a extremely gifted runner that can break multiple tackles and explode for massive gains. Richardson had 1,012 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and 7.4 yards per carry. Richardson currently has offers to multiple NAIA/Division three colleges. He could possibly get a division two offer but sadly he had to make up a lot of ground after a limited COVID season. <strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id="152703" first="Jazan" last="Williams"] (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) 2023 6´0 180 lbs </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13089782/Jazan-Williams">Hudl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_jazanwilliams_">Twitter</a> Williams ran as hard as any running back in the state this year. Williams consistently broke multiple tackles it felt like every play. He totaled 1,239 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, and 4.8 yards per carry. Williams excelled at getting <a href="https://twitter.com/IAsportz/status/1432707520234151945">fighting for extra</a> yards and putting his head down to flatten opposing defenders. Williams had a heavy workload this season but continued to fight for yards and break tackles every play. <em>HM: [player_tooltip player_id="246738" first="Makelle" last="Taylor"], [player_tooltip player_id="246739" first="Carter" last="Henderson"], [player_tooltip player_id="148786" first="Mason" last="Applegate"] (Not a primary halfback), Nate Hummel, [player_tooltip player_id="243150" first="Drew" last="Benson"], Titus Christansen (Hurt), [player_tooltip player_id="243143" first="Dion" last="Hutch"], [player_tooltip player_id="147986" first="Danny" last="Rankins"] Jr, Alexander Linquist (Hurt). </em>