2023 Rankings: Top Ten 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 and final 2023 rankings on Prep Redzone Oklahoma were released on Monday with the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/01/updated-2023-oklahoma-rankings-6/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 250 for the state's 2023 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 2023 class. In this post, we're putting a spotlight on the top ten running backs in the state's 2023 class. These standouts have been tearing it up on the ground for a few years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57158"],"_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":"Grove running back [player_tooltip player_id='57158' first='Emmanuel' last='Crawford'] has been arguably the most electric running back in Oklahoma over the last two seasons. Crawford has been a playmaker since early on in his high school career and has been on our radar since the offseason between his freshman and sophomore seasons. But Crawford turned into a monster as a junior and continued that in 2022 as a senior. Crawford hit the weight room hard in the 2022 offseason and came out with much more strength to his game to go with the lightning quick moves. Crawford is taking those shifty moves to the SEC and Arkansas as he continues to improve and develop.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["219073"],"_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":"We already knew that Union running back [player_tooltip player_id='219073' first='DJ' last='McKinney'] was one of the best prospects at his position heading into the 2022 season. But watching his production throughout the year and the different ways he impacts the game, that just solidified his spot as one of the best backs in Oklahoma. McKinney showed from the start of the season that he was just as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield as opposed to taking a handoff. And while he's one of the smaller running backs, he doesn't shy away from contact or just run outside of the tackles. He's a tough back that has no problem carrying the ball 20+ times a game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["47955"],"_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":"Injuries completely derailed Jenks running back [player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll'] during his senior season. After leading the Trojans to a state championship in 2021, Carroll was ready to prove he was one of the state's best athletes in 2022. But he could never get into a rhythm on the field as he dealt with nagging injuries throughout the year. Carroll has been a playmaker since he was just a freshman, bursting on the scene at Booker T Washington. Carroll has been incredibly productive throughout his career and has earned his spot as one of the best backs in the state's 2023 class. He was one of the top available offensive prospects and eventually signed with Northern Iowa.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["57205"],"_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":"Similar to Carroll, Millwood's [player_tooltip player_id='57205' first='Rickey' last='Hunt Jr'] has been a star since he burst on the scene as a freshman at Millwood. And you can make the argument that Hunt might be the most versatile prospect in the state's 2023 class. He definitely is when you just look at the running back position. Hunt lined up and played so many different positions for the Falcons over the last few seasons. He helped lead the Falcons all the way to the state title game in 2022 after they missed the playoffs in 2021. He's an outstanding athlete and that was proven once again last March when he helped lead Millwood's basketball team to a gold ball. He's an early enrollee at Ohio.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["51871"],"_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":"We can't help but wonder what could have been over the last three seasons. During the 2019 season, [player_tooltip player_id='51871' first='Mike' last='Taffe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='57205' first='Rickey' last='Hunt Jr'] terrorized opponents as running mates in the Millwood backfield. But Taffe moved over to Bishop McGuinness and still had a very successful career. Especially when you look at what he was able to do over the last two seasons with the Irish. Taffe committed to Lindenwood during his senior season but he recently reopened his recruitment prior to signing day this week. Taffe is an explosive runner and similar to a few other backs on this breakdown, he's incredibly consistent and has no problems being a workhorse back.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["57161"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Chickasha running back [player_tooltip player_id='57161' first='Malek' last='Murphy'] finally had that breakout moment during the 2022 season as he became one of the best backs in the state when it comes to production. He ran for over 2,000 yards and had several games with some eye-popping numbers. We first caught Murphy in person following his sophomore season and it seemed like he was primed for some breakout moments and to become one of the state's best at his position. But Murphy absolutely became that guy throughout the 2022 season and recently signed to play in-state with East Central down in Ada. Murphy's best football might still be ahead of him.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["157514"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Another 2023 running back that has been productive for the last several seasons is Hilldale running back [player_tooltip player_id='157514' first='Eric' last='Virgil'] and you can make the argument that he's been one of the best backs in Class 4A over the last few seasons. Virgil is a very explosive running back and has been incredibly productive over the last few seasons. And the thing that really stands out about Virgil and that production is the consistency that he's played with over the last few seasons. He's certainly one of the more reliable running backs in the state's 2023 class as you can count on him to not only make big plays, but to show up week after week throughout the season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["157522"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"After a breakout season in 2021, Norman North running back [player_tooltip player_id='157522' first='Chapman' last='McKown'] had a snake bit season in 2022. While he would get on the field and spin his wheels at various times, he also had to miss some big parts of the regular season and it just seemed like he was hampered by those injuries and we didn't see the 2021 version of McKown. But moving forward, the future is bright for McKown as he gets back to 100 percent heading into college. McKown is going to stay home and he's joining OU as a preferred walk on. McKown is a special talent and he proved that over the last few seasons against some of the top talent in Oklahoma.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["199948"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Any questions about Stillwater running back [player_tooltip player_id='199948' first='Noah' last='Roberts'] were answered during the 2022 season in our opinion. As one of the smaller running back prospects, Roberts proved that size doesn't matter as he was launched into a new role last fall with the Pioneers missing fellow running back [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson']. With Roberts now being the primary ball carrier, he flourished and more importantly he produced week after week. He had a great performance in the state championship game and he erased any doubt that he can play at the next level. Roberts has outstanding vision and on-field IQ that will help him at the next level, wherever that is.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["98175"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Chandler running back [player_tooltip player_id='98175' first='Casmen' last='Hill'] ran for more yards than anyone else in the state's 2023 class. Hill has been a playmaker and has produced at a high level since his freshman season and never slowed down. As a senior, Hill reached new heights as he flirted with running for 3,000 yards on the season. He's also a perfect example of how frustrating the recruiting world can be. On the field, Hill is an absolute monster and has proven that he can produce at a high level. But for whatever reason, the recruitment just hasn't taken off compared to some other players at the position. Nevertheless, Hill still belongs is the conversation of best backs in this class.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dc050b33aee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->