2024 Rankings: Top Running Backs

<!-- 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>The latest 2024 rankings on Prep Redzone Oklahoma were released on Monday with the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 125 for the state's 2024 class</a></strong>. Throughout the week, we'll be breaking down prospects throughout the rankings. From stock risers and newcomers to breakdowns by positions, it will be a busy week! So keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the week for more on the 2024 class. In this post, we're putting a spotlight on some of the best running backs in the state's 2024 class. Right now, this is somewhat of a light class when you consider all of the running backs in the 2023 group. But there's still time for more names to emerge in the next twelve months. This breakdown also doesn't include Southeast running back [player_tooltip player_id='393974' first='Rodney' last='Fields'], who was featured earlier this week in our <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/01/2024-rankings-the-stock-risers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stock Risers article</a></strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"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":"Our first prospect at the running back position was arguably the biggest breakout star out of the five running backs listed here. Guthrie running back [player_tooltip player_id='448519' first='Jaylen' last='Harper'] came into the 2022 season looking to provide depth to the Guthrie backfield and be an overall playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. But with the Blue Jays missing senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='268441' first='Isaiah' last='Hammons'] early on in the season, they needed a running back to fill the void and Harper took his opportunity and ran with it, literally. He had a really good season and when we caught Guthrie in person this season, it was arguably his coming out party as a guy who could contribute in a big way for the Guthrie offense when they went on the road and beat Tuttle. Harper is also a standout on the basketball floor but we really like the potential he has on offense as an overall playmaker. We expect him to take another step this fall as a senior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["382992"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Our next running back prospect is one that we really like and the combination of [player_tooltip player_id='382992' first='Kenneth' last='Page'] and some of the other returning offensive difference makers has Sand Springs as a serious team going into the 2023 season. Page was a touchdown machine in 2022 and found his way into the end zone 17 times on the year. We think that not only can he reach that number again this fall but he could eclipse that and become one of the best running backs in 6A-2 during the 2023 season. Page is a very impressive running back to watch for a few reasons. First off, he passes the eye test when you see him in person. Then secondly, you can't help but be impressed with the production that he's already had. And Sand Springs played a very tough schedule in 2022 and he still was able to produce and produce at a high level. We think that Page is definitely a prospect who could explode this fall with another strong season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["315548"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"East Central running back [player_tooltip player_id='315548' first='Larontae' last='Clayton'] continues to be one of the more underrated prospects in the state's 2024 class. Clayton had another strong season in 2022 despite East Central struggling on the scoreboard. Clayton is a very strong runner that has good size and the speed and quickness is very impressive to watch. The first step is very quick and there are a lot of times when East Central was in a pistol formation, it felt like Clayton was going to get the snap from the center despite being lined up behind the quarterback who was snapping it. That's how quick those first few steps are. Another impressive part of Clayton's game is his ability to absorb contact and either go through a defender or fall forward for a few extra yards. Throughout the film we watched, we didn't see many occasions when Clayton was stopped and pushed backwards. It was always forwards for a few more yards.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["110739"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Beggs running back [player_tooltip player_id='110739' first='Red' last='Martel'] has been arguably the most consistent running back over the last three seasons in the state's 2024 class. Martel is also the only running back that is already committed as he committed to Kansas during the fall of 2022. While he committed to Kansas, Martel was also having an All State-caliber season as he was helping lead Beggs back to the playoffs. The Golden Demons had a roller coaster of a season on the field but Martel was one of the steady parts of the offense. They could rely on him to perform and it seemed like some of his best performances so far in his career came in the biggest games of the year. Another aspect of Martel's game that we liked seeing in 2022 was his transformation into an every down back and could handle it. He also slimmed up and kept that speed and strength and became a more complete running back during the 2022 season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["360239"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Our final prospect on this breakdown is the reigning Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year. Carl Albert running back [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] was the best football player in the state during the 2022 season as he rewrote the record book at Carl Albert and helped the Titans dominate their way to a state championship. Robinson emerged as a top five overall prospect in our last ranking update back in October. He has remained there during this update and his performance in the playoffs only strengthened the argument for Robinson being one of the best overall prospects in the state. Robinson is a dominant runner of the football and when you look at him in person, you could make the assumption that he's just a power runner. That isn't the case. The combination of vision and quick feet set Robinson up for success to get into the open field. And if you're chasing Robinson, you need multiple guys to bring him down.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d0a89833c4c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->