2024: Running Backs on the Rise

To be an elite running back, you have to be physical and fast. These backs have those qualities and many other traits that make them unique. [player_tooltip player_id='406997' first='Tevita' last='Valeti'] || RB || 6'0 || 195 || Springville High School || 2024 In just 10 games, Valeti rushed for 1,679 yards, and his 22 rushing touchdowns led the state. He's the only back in the state's top five of rushing touchdowns to have played less than 11 games. Veleti shredded defenses all season, constantly racking up yards after contact. He's an elite athlete who possesses impressive body control. Veleti is one of the state's toughest running backs to tackle due to his dangerous combination of speed, strength, vision, and agility. He never seems to get tired and is capable of breaking a big play every time he touches the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='532684' first='Kyron' last='Bracken'] || RB || 6'2 || 190 || Enterprise High School || 2024 Every offense wants to be effective in the red zone, and thanks to Bracken, the Wolves enjoyed tremendous success inside the 20. Bracken is one of the only players in the state who scored in every game he played this season. He closed out the 2022 season with 22 touchdowns on the ground and added five more through the air. Bracken had multiple games over 20 carries and isn't afraid to put the team on his back to get a win. He's physical but also impresses with his breakaway speed. Bracken's long strides make him difficult to catch in the open field, and if defenders do get in his way, he loves to run right through them. [player_tooltip player_id='532689' first='Semisi' last='Kinikini'] || RB || 5'10 || 185 || Mountain RIdge High School || 2024 Kinikini posses exceptional vision. He does a great job following his blockers and makes great cuts. The Sentinel's lead back always makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Whether it's bouncing runs to the outside or fighting for tough yards between the tackles, Kinikini maximizes each touch. He is elusive in the open field, and defenses have difficulty bringing him down on first contact. In addition, he shredded defenses for 1,183 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last season and could eclipse those numbers in 2023. [player_tooltip player_id='532693' first='Daxton' last='Sumko'] || RB || 5'11 || 180 || Box Elder High School || 2024 Sumko shredded defenses in 2022 with 1766 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He's a threat to score every time he touches the ball and is a true home run hitter at the running back position. Sumko does a great job reading his blockers and the defense in order to maximize every carry. He does a great job slowing down to make defenders miss and can quickly return to his top speed after changing directions. Sumko runs hard every carry, and it helps him break tackle after tackle. When in the red zone he makes it his mission to finish drives and few defenses in the state were able to deny him. [player_tooltip player_id='406977' first='Mack' last='Hixson'] || RB || 5'10 || 180 || Orem High School || 2024 Hixson suffered an injury early in 2022, but that shouldn't stop anyone from forgetting how special he was as just a sophomore in 2021. He was a key part of an Orem team that made the 2021 Semifinals. Hixson rushed for 792 yards, had 309 receiving, and scored 15 total touchdowns that season. He was also an explosive returner who constantly put the Tigers in favorable field positions. The Swiss army knife back beats defenses with quick cuts and game-changing speed. Hixson is also willing to stand tall in pass protection to keep his quarterback upright. [player_tooltip player_id='407003' first='Will' last='McCurdy'] || RB || 5'10 || 160 || Park City High School || 2024 McCurdy is a force to be reckoned with in the screen game. He does a great job reading his blockers in space, and he does an exceptional job making defenders miss with his short area quickness. If he gets around the edge, look out because he can break away for a long touchdown. McCurdy is an exceptional athlete who can line up all over the field and make plays. As a receiver out of the backfield, he does a great job tracking the ball, and he's a phenomenal route runner. McCurdy was one of the state's premier big-play threats in 2022, and there's no reason to expect that will change in 2023.

To be an elite running back, you have to be physical and fast. These backs have those qualities and many other traits that make them unique.

Tevita Valeti Tevita Valeti 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Springville | 2024 State UT || RB || 6'0 || 195 || Springville High School || 2024
In just 10 games, Valeti rushed for 1,679 yards, and his 22 rushing touchdowns led the state. He's the only back in the state's top five of rushing touchdowns to have played less than 11 games. Veleti shredded defenses all season, constantly racking up yards after contact. He's an elite athlete who possesses impressive body control. Veleti is one of the state's toughest running backs to tackle due to his dangerous combination of speed, strength, vision, and agility. He never seems to get tired and is capable of breaking a big play every time he touches the ball.

Kyron Bracken Kyron Bracken 6'2" | 190 lbs | RB Enterprise | 2024 State UT || RB || 6'2 || 190 || Enterprise High School || 2024
Every offense wants to be effective in the red zone, and thanks to Bracken, the Wolves enjoyed tremendous success inside the 20. Bracken is one of the only players in the state who scored in every game he played this season. He closed out the 2022 season with 22 touchdowns on the ground and added five more through the air. Bracken had multiple games over 20 carries and isn't afraid to put the team on his back to get a win. He's physical but also impresses with his breakaway speed. Bracken's long strides make him difficult to catch in the open field, and if defenders do get in his way, he loves to run right through them.

Semisi Kinikini Semisi Kinikini 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Mountain Ridge | 2024 State UT || RB || 5'10 || 185 || Mountain RIdge High School || 2024
Kinikini posses exceptional vision. He does a great job following his blockers and makes great cuts. The Sentinel's lead back always makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. Whether it's bouncing runs to the outside or fighting for tough yards between the tackles, Kinikini maximizes each touch. He is elusive in the open field, and defenses have difficulty bringing him down on first contact. In addition, he shredded defenses for 1,183 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last season and could eclipse those numbers in 2023.

Daxton Sumko Daxton Sumko 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Box Elder | 2024 State UT || RB || 5'11 || 180 || Box Elder High School || 2024
Sumko shredded defenses in 2022 with 1766 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He's a threat to score every time he touches the ball and is a true home run hitter at the running back position. Sumko does a great job reading his blockers and the defense in order to maximize every carry. He does a great job slowing down to make defenders miss and can quickly return to his top speed after changing directions. Sumko runs hard every carry, and it helps him break tackle after tackle. When in the red zone he makes it his mission to finish drives and few defenses in the state were able to deny him.

Mack Hixson Mack Hixson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Orem | 2024 State UT || RB || 5'10 || 180 || Orem High School || 2024
Hixson suffered an injury early in 2022, but that shouldn't stop anyone from forgetting how special he was as just a sophomore in 2021. He was a key part of an Orem team that made the 2021 Semifinals. Hixson rushed for 792 yards, had 309 receiving, and scored 15 total touchdowns that season. He was also an explosive returner who constantly put the Tigers in favorable field positions. The Swiss army knife back beats defenses with quick cuts and game-changing speed. Hixson is also willing to stand tall in pass protection to keep his quarterback upright.

Will McCurdy Will McCurdy 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Park City | 2024 State UT || RB || 5'10 || 160 || Park City High School || 2024
McCurdy is a force to be reckoned with in the screen game. He does a great job reading his blockers in space, and he does an exceptional job making defenders miss with his short area quickness. If he gets around the edge, look out because he can break away for a long touchdown. McCurdy is an exceptional athlete who can line up all over the field and make plays. As a receiver out of the backfield, he does a great job tracking the ball, and he's a phenomenal route runner. McCurdy was one of the state's premier big-play threats in 2022, and there's no reason to expect that will change in 2023.