2024 Rankings – Running Backs Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October is here and we have begun updating all of our prospect rankings throughout the website. Two weeks ago, we released our first&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank">watch list for the 2026 class</a></strong>. The first rankings for that class will come out in January. Last week, it was all about the 2025 class. We've updated those rankings to feature the top 75 sophomores in the state. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2025-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. This week, we take a look at some of the top juniors in Oklahoma with an update to the 2024 rankings. You can check out the full rankings&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at the top five running back prospects in the latest ranking update. Two of which ended up in the top ten overall. Stay tuned throughout the week for more 2024 prospect breakdowns. And keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma next week when we release our 2023 prospect rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635af838817ac","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["448519"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Guthrie is the third part of a three-headed monster in 5A-2 as Bishop McGuinness and Carl Albert are the other two. The Blue Jays are once again a contender in Class 5A behind a strong running game. And enjoying a breakout season is junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='448519' first='Jaylen' last='Harper']. Coming into this season, we didn't know anything about Harper. In fact, he was more of a standout on the basketball floor. However, with star running back [player_tooltip player_id='268441' first='Isaiah' last='Hammons'] missing significant time earlier on this season, that opened the door for Harper to step into a new role and he absolutely excelled. In his first game getting major carries, Harper took the ball and ran with it as the Blue Jays went on the road and knocked off 4A powerhouse Tuttle. Hammons enjoyed a breakout season last year and now Harper is enjoying one this year. Harper will keep the Blue Jays as a team to watch in Class 5A.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02da6e358"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635af849817ad","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["315548"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"East Central standout junior [player_tooltip player_id='315548' first='Larontae' last='Clayton'] is another example of a prospect that could end up playing a few different positions. After watching his junior film, we were convinced he was a running back prospect. But after watching some film from him this season, he's starting to show out a little bit as a linebacker. But until we see a little more production on that side of the ball, we're keeping Clayton here at running back. Regardless of his position, Clayton is a 2024 prospect that is flying under the radar and should be getting more attention moving forward. As a running back, Clayton is a straight-forward runner and doesn't do a lot of dancing in the backfield, running over 20 yards just to gain a couple. Clayton explodes through the line of scrimmage and is a tall and physical runner with the ball in his hands.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02da6e38c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635af85a817ae","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["449039"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Elgin has been one of the surprise teams of the 2022 football seasons. The Owls found themselves with a 6-0 record to start and are currently 7-1 and are still in the hunt for the district championship. Elgin has a few players that we have our eyes on as prospects and one that was flying under the radar prior to this fall was running back [player_tooltip player_id='449039' first='Matt' last='Lund']. During their 6-0 start, Lund had an outstanding start to the season, carrying a lot of the load on the offensive side of the ball. Early on in the season, Lund was on pace for well over 1,500 yards and it's safe to say that he's one of the breakout stars in Class 5A this season. Lund is a big and physical runner that isn't just a power runner. He has shown the ability to pull away from defenses when he gets into the open field. But he does have the ability to be that workhorse back if necessary.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02da6e3b5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635af86c817af","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110739"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It's been an outstanding run for Beggs football as they've routinely had one of the top prospects in each class over the last few seasons. And when it comes to the 2024 class, running back [player_tooltip player_id='110739' first='Red' last='Martel'] has been considered one of the best in the state since he was a freshman. Despite Beggs already having an outstanding running back in CJ Brown, who is now at Oklahoma State, Martel still had an outstanding sophomore season. Now that he's the marquee back in the Beggs offense, Martel has continued to flourish. Martel has continued to get better and better every time that we see him. He was known as more of a power runner earlier in his career with a compact build and the ability to bounce off defenders. But it looks like Martel has trimmed up and is getting faster and quicker on his feet. It's been a rocky season for a Beggs team that had high expectations but Martel has been a bright spot.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02da6e3dd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635af87c817b0","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Carl Albert junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] was already considered a top ten prospect coming into this season. After watching him a few times in person this fall, it's clear that he's the top running back in this class and has emerged as a top five prospect in the overall rankings. Robinson is one of the bigger backs in the 2024 class but he's also showcased the speed in the open field. If a defender catches up to him, they usually get served a stiff arm as Robinson pulls away to the end zone. The Carl Albert standout is on an absolute roll over the last few games. He has three straight games with at least 200 yards. He's getting closer and closer to the 2,000 yard mark and is one of the state's best at getting into the end zone. Robinson's junior film is starting to make the rounds and Power 5 coaches are starting to take notice, extending offers to the Carl Albert standout.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649a02da6e406"} /-->