Top 10 Class of 2023 Running Backs in Orange County (Part 1)

<strong>10. Troy Leigber, Laguna Hills</strong> Leigber is one of the bigger guys on this list and is a load to bring down. He is 6-foot-1, over 200 pounds and is an academic athlete with a 4.4 GPA. He suffered an injury that costed him most of his junior season but he had some big games as a sophomore and early in his junior season. I like him better as a defensive back as a college prospect, but he is a quality running back who will be instrumental in the Hawks’ success next season. Some of the better teams Laguna Hills has played have been able to shut him down which is why he isn’t higher on this list, but I’m excited to see how he does after a full offseason in the weight room. https://twitter.com/CoachMaceranka/status/1373332991452213253?s=20&amp;t=QN60ll_iWesQpl8y-tfqlg <strong>9. Jun Ramos, Pacifica</strong> Ramos is a short and shifty running back who reminds me of former Pacifica running back Rai Sagastume. Despite his shifty nature, he is a one cut and go running back which I like. He hits the hole quickly and reads his offensive line very well. He isn’t as fast as some of the guys higher on this list, but he is fast enough to be gone once he gets into the open field. Ramos had 1305 yards with 12 rushing touchdowns. Pacifica lost its two best players and Ramos will likely have an expanded role next season. https://twitter.com/EdJunRamos26/status/1442259997862236168?s=20&amp;t=QN60ll_iWesQpl8y-tfqlg <strong>8. Malachi Bey, Garden Grove</strong> Garden Grove is a well-coached team that always has a balanced offense but Bey is the engine that makes the car go. He rushed for 1,249 yards on 170 carries with 19 touchdowns. He doesn’t have traditional speed but is a long strider who gets up the field quickly. His field vision is what makes him special — he reads his offensive linemen well on screens and when they pull. He also was the team’s punter and had five punts land inside the 20-yard line. https://twitter.com/LouPonsiWrites/status/1451793139052605443?s=20&amp;t=QN60ll_iWesQpl8y-tfqlg <strong>7. Gabriel Dawson, Katella</strong> Dawson isn’t a long strider like Bey but he has great speed when he gets into the open field. Defenses often key on him and try to slant lines to the field but he exploits them and makes big plays on cutbacks. Katella finds creative ways to get him the ball and rightfully so, he’s clearly the best player on the team. He is a very good corner on defense as well. He does everything right and could be a solid lower level college player. https://twitter.com/DavidDelgado_OC/status/1457218273829736450?s=20&amp;t=QN60ll_iWesQpl8y-tfqlg <strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id="249419" first="Dathan" last="F Lui Jr"], La Habra</strong> I saw Lui at the Prep Redzone Stock Up Showcase in January and he impressed me with his speed and his ability to change directions on a dime. He was beating a lot of linebackers in the 1on1 passing portion of the camp and multiple quarterbacks enjoyed throwing to him. He is short but is close to 190 pounds of muscle. He gets up the field quickly and makes smart decisions with his cuts. He drives his feet through contact, has a solid spin move and takes care of the football. https://twitter.com/33_problemz/status/1483659785157234688?s=20&amp;t=QN60ll_iWesQpl8y-tfqlg <em><strong>Also considered:</strong></em> Fischer Huss, Troy David Mahood, Sunny Hills [player_tooltip player_id="152368" first="CJ" last="Zackery"], La Habra Kieran Klinsberg, Troy Tyler McGown, Servite