The Best 2024 RBs before the 2023-2024 Season

Continuing my series on our top 2024 prospects, we dive into the workhorses of most MN offenses. The runningbacks. MN has a ton of talent to offer and I'm psyched to show off some of the top 2024 ball carriers in the state!   [player_tooltip player_id='105372' first='Savion' last='Hart'] - St. Thomas Academy 5'10" 190 lbs   2022 Stats: 1243 rushing yards, 9.3 ypc, 25 TDs   Hart was the workhorse of one of the most run-heavy offenses in the state last season. He makes explosive cuts and is dangerous in the open field. He has elite breakaway speed and displays excellent vision as a back. Currently ranked as the #1 RB in his class, Hart is a must-watch for college coaches next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='105374' first='Maxwell' last='Woods'] - Chanhassen 5'11" 180 lbs   2022 Stats: 1414 rushing yards, 7.4 ypc 18 TDs   Woods is one of the most explosive and talented backs in the 2024 class. He boasts some crazy agility and is a massive threat in the open field. He too boasts breakaway speed and showcases quick feet which allow for fast cuts. Woods was a key part of Chanhassen's success last season and he looks to recreate that in the 2023-2024 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='105373' first='Damon' last='Green'] - Eastview 5'11" 190 lbs   2022 Stats: 823 rushing yards, 4.8 ypc, 6 TDs   The star of the Lightning's offense has gathered serious FCS interest over the course of the early offseason. Despite his powerful frame, he maintains exceptional agility and can stop and start on a dime. He has the power to run over defenders in the secondary, and the crazy body control to make cuts that get him in open space. It's very possible Green is the premier back in 6A next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='241913' first='Roman' last='Johnson'] - Minnetonka 6' 195 lbs   2022 Stats: 822 all-purpose yards, 4.7 ypc/10.0 ypr, 7 TOT   Johnson stepped up big time last season. When the Skippers RB1 got injured, Johnson showed no hesitation in taking over the upgraded responsibilities. He boasts a serious receiving upside as he can run a variety of routes from a variety of locations. He often has the speed to beat defenders to the edge, and once there can rarely be caught.   [player_tooltip player_id='205273' first='Damian' last='Tapio'] - MIB 5'7" 180 lbs   2022 Stats: 2092 all-purpose yards, 9.4 ypc/12.3 ypr, 32 TOT   The 9-man phenom returns after an insane junior season where he captured a state title. If I could describe him in one word, that word would be electric. If I got another, it would be slippery. Tapio is an explosive athlete who never stops running his feet and never gives up on a play. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who works harder during a play than Tapio. He is also an accomplished wrestler.   Arthur Russell Jr - Champlin Park 5'10" 185 lbs   2022 Stats: 602 rushing yards, 5.2 ypc, 4 TDs   A staple of the Champlin Park Rebel's program over the last few years has been grit. You can see this grit whenever Russell runs the ball. He boasts an uncommon combination of breakaway speed and sheer strength. He has been shown to beat out elite secondaries with pure speed, as well as punish them with a brutal stiff-arm. Russell is a physical runner with some serious upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='242455' first='Hunter' last='MacGillivray'] - Prior Lake 6'1" 175 lbs   2022 Stats: 317 rushing yards, 5.5 ypc, 4 TDs   MacGillivray may not have some of the eye-popping stats that some of the others on this list have, but I'd be remised if I didn't mention him. The power back has gathered a variety of college interests over the offseason. MacGillivray is another hard-nosed physical back who loves running over people. He picks up speed quickly and knows how to hit a hole. He's a player I'd put on "breakout watch."   [player_tooltip player_id='242385' first='Landon' last='Dillon'] - SMB 6' 215 lbs   2022 Stats: 853 rushing yards, 4.8 ypc, 14 TDs   This dude is a bully when he runs the ball and I love it. He can carry defenders with him for a litany of extra yards if they don't get trucked right away. He's the kind of back that defenses fear, and that linebackers don't want to hit. If I had two words to sum it up, it's explosive and violent. Dillon is sure to be the 1st option for the Wolfpack next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='348767' first='Francis' last='O'Malley'] - Montevideo 6' 235 lbs   2022 Stats: 1600 rushing yards, 8.2 ypc, 20 TDs   I consistently ask myself how this kid is still under the radar. If the 1600 rushing yards and 8.2 yards per carry don't jump out at you, his film will. Scouts, coaches, and players often exaggerate a kid's size for various reasons. This is not the case with O'Malley. He fills out every inch of the 6' 235 lb frame. Despite his massive size, he's surprisingly shifty and does have the speed that you often don't see in a back of this size. A must-watch next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='383119' first='Sawyer' last='Wilkie'] - Lakeville North 5'10" 205 lbs   2022 Stats: 784 rushing yards, 4.4 ypc, 6 TDs   Returning after a solid junior season, Wilkie looks to cement himself as one of Minnesota's top backs. Wilkie is a workhorse. His feet never stop moving and he's shown the ability to consistently break all forms of tackles. He does a great job of bouncing off defenders and continuously pushing forward. A hard worker who never gives up, watch out for Wilkie.   [player_tooltip player_id='348812' first='Ramero' last='Trevino'] - Willmar 5'9" 205 lbs   2022 Stats: 1278 all-purpose yards, 5.5 ypc/9.8 ypr, 17 TOT   Trevino was a Stock Up Showcase standout and it's clear why. He has burst onto the scene as a well-rounded offensive threat and needs to be on more college coaches' radars. He has surprising speed for a back of his size and has shown consistent hands in the passing game. He follows his linemen well and finishes through defenders. Trevino should be a name all coaches remember after this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='551438' first='Trent' last='Josewski'] -Big Lake 5'10" 180 lbs   2022 Stats: 1 GP (Injury), 222 rushing yards, 6.9 ypc, 2 TDs   The biggest question mark RB next season will be Josewski. Athletically, this kid is a unicorn. With legit 4.4 speed and a strong powerful frame, he is the complete package. Watching his film you can see the potential this kid oozes. He is the fastest and quickest player on the field. If Josewski can stay healthy, you are looking at a back with legitimate all-state potential.   [player_tooltip player_id='629433' first='Logan' last='Bunker'] - Elk River 6'1" 210 lbs   2022 Stats: 1092 rushing yards, 12.1 ypc, 16 TDs   Meet one of the workhorses from the 2022 16-0 state champion Elk River Elks. Every time he touches the rock there's house-call potential. Bunker has a college-ready frame and is exceptionally agile, able to tip-toe through razor-thin gaps in the defense, and the second he breaks free he's gone. He makes experienced defenders look like 5th graders, watch out for Bunker as he and the Elks look to repeat.   Jackson Ganser - Rosemount 5'11" 195 lbs   2022 Stats: 628 rushing yards, 5.6 ypc, 9 TDs   Ganser may boast the best vision of any back in his class. If there is a hole, he's finding it. He does an excellent job of reading his linemen until he sees the gap and he takes off like a rocket. His balance on his feet is crazy too, as he can shrug off hit-sticks and take off for the endzone at a moment's notice. I expect Ganser to take on a greater role in the Irish's backfield this year as well, so pay close attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='348771' first='Leyton' last='Patzer'] - Forest Lake 5'8" 175 lbs   2022 Stats: 1038 rushing yards, 7.0 ypc, 12 TDs   Patzer and the Forest Lake Rangers burst onto the scene in 2022 and never looked back. If you want to take about versatile athletes, look no further than Patzer. The Rangers do a great job of utilizing his athleticism, they can line him up in a variety of positions and Patzer finds a way to gain yards. He reaches his top speed incredibly quickly and hits a lot harder than that 175 lbs would lead you to believe.   [player_tooltip player_id='460286' first='Lex' last='Korti'] - Fridley 5'6" 160 lbs   2022 Stats: 1137 rushing yards, 8.3 ypc, 13 TDs   Korti was one of the driving forces behind Fridley's section championship run last season. Don't let his frame fool you, Korti is a lethal force in the backfield. He turns broken plays into 1st downs with his agility and quickness. He has a dangerous clutch gene showcased by scoring insane TDs in big moments. His ability to stop and start and get a defender turned around or confused is unmatched.   [player_tooltip player_id='551384' first='Lukas' last='Kuehl'] - Litchfield 5'11" 175 lbs   2022 Stats: 1048 rushing yards, 5.2 ypc, 8 TDs   Litchfield got a good one in Kuehl. He's a dangerous downhill runner, always looking to go through defenders rather than around them. Some backs rely on their speed, and constantly bounce runs to the outside. Kuehl gets north and south quickly and hammers down the line. Litchfield returns a ton of key offensive players, so look for them to have a dangerous team next season.   Griffin Babolian - Fergus Falls 5'11" 195 lbs   2022 Stats: 955 rushing yards, 6.2 ypc, 9 TDs   Babolian was the heart and soul of the Fergus Falls offense last season. He makes quick cuts when the play breaks down, and consistently beats defenders to the edge. One thing I loved about his film was his ball security. High and tight, and always carries it in his outside arm. Combine a hard runner with great ball security and you have a solid and reliable back who could have a breakout year.   Jack Grimsley - Mayer Lutheran 5'9" 165 lbs   2022 Stats: 1468 all-purpose yards, 7.2 ypc/11.7 ypr, 12 TDs   Holy cow this kid is quick on his feet. Grimsley is an elegant runner with quick feet who can hit a hole in an instant. Grimsley saw massive success as both a ball carrier and a catch passer in the previous season, a success which he looks to replicate in 2023. One word to describe the upcoming senior is dynamic. You'd be hard-pressed to find a back as more comfortable in space, who can also moss DBs on go routes.   Logan Stedman - Rockford 6'1" 180 lbs   2022 Stats: 764 rushing yards, 5.8 ypc, 8 TDs   If I could pick a small-town MN school that consistently produces underrated talent, Rockford would make the shortlist. Stedman is no exception. He's a shifty back who has the ability to make defenders miss in space, but is also more than capable of lowering his shoulder in a short-yardage situation. I expect Stedman to follow up his junior campaign with a stellar senior season.   Reid Davenport - Holy Angels 6' 180 lbs   2022 Stats: 546 rushing yards, 6.1 ypc, 8 TDs   The final 2024 RB I think could be incredibly dangerous during their senior campaign is Reid Davenport. Holy Angels graduated two of their top 3 RBs, and Davenport is the third RB from that list. He's a hard-nosed runner who has the strength to run over defensive linemen and the agility and stability to make secondary defenders miss. When this kid gets a bigger workload, there's no telling what he can do.

Continuing my series on our top 2024 prospects, we dive into the workhorses of most MN offenses. The runningbacks. MN has a ton of talent to offer and I'm psyched to show off some of the top 2024 ball carriers in the state!