’23 Preseason Super 7 – 5A Running Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </strong>The 2023 high school football season is just a short summer away. It will be here before we know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can read about the quarterbacks <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/23-preseason-super-7-8-player-quarterbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>, and now we'll take a look at seven standout runnings backs in each class. Let's start with 5A: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247950' first='Ty' last='Cozad'], '24, Muscatine - </strong>Cozad (5-11, 205) earned IPSWA first-team all-state honors in '22 after rushing for 5A best 2,079 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry. He's verbally committed to Air Force. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14761871/63db0abd6e80eb053834585a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a> show a complete back. He can beat opponents with power and speed. He has good vision and feel running inside, and bounces well to the outside. I wouldn't be surprised if more colleges come calling this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drake Gelhaus, '24, Cedar Falls - </strong>The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Gelhaus sets up around 7-8 yards from the line of scrimmage during much of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14813142/645cbf763863a70c64861231" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a>. It allows him time to read opponents and build up speed by the time he reaches the defense. He breaks a lot of tackles and bursts through the hole. He rushed for 1,469 yards and 14 touchdowns last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320855' first='Demarico' last='Young'], '24, Sioux City North - </strong>As a deaf athlete, Young (5-6, 165) is an inspiration. He's also a really good football player. He rushed for 1,191 yards and 18 touchdowns in '22, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. He also returned kicks and punts. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17312870/63acf68c386d9c04d896dddb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a> reveal a runner with good feel and patience with the ball in his hands. He flows with his blockers and has an extra gear when he gets into the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252230' first='Jamison' last='Poe'], '25, Ames - </strong>Poe (5-7, 160) rushed for 870 yards (5.8 YPC) and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. As you can see during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15577045/6368615b19a50509bc79db54" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10th-grade highlights</a>, he's really comfortable running between the tackles, picking his way through traffic and turning up when the time is right. He stresses defenses in the passing game, too, as evidenced by his 39 receptions and five scores through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247943' first='CJ' last='Phillip'], '24, Southeast Polk </strong>- Phillip (5-11, 190) rushed for 823 yards (6.1 YPC) and 13 touchdowns at Dowling in '22. He also caught 12 passes. He displays excellent open-field speed during his<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16326369/6373dc073448830a0ca870be" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> junior highlights</a>. He also runs tough inside and bounces off would-be tacklers by keeping his legs churning. He also cuts smoothly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ra'Shawd Davis, '25, Dowling - </strong>Davis (5-9, 185) teamed up with Phillip as a potent 1-2 punch last season for the Maroons. He rushed for 787 yards (5.9 YPC) and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in '22. You can witness a lot of what he brings to the field in the first clip of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16180138/6372fc64c11a4404dca766a0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a>. His shiftiness and ability to change directions on a dime stand out as his best traits, but he also runs with power. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Porter, '24, Ankeny Centennial - </strong>Porter (5-10, 170) shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14876946/6361395b041e5b1540341e86" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">junior highlights</a> that he's a well-rounded back capable of gaining tough yards inside or running away from defenders in the open field. He bursts through the hole with juice. He also represents a threat in the passing game. He rushed for 766 yards (6.6 YPC) and 10 touchdowns last fall. UNI and North Dakota have offered scholarships this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='847993' first='Darius' last='Mason'], '25, Valley - </strong>I'm cheating a bit here with eight backs for a Super 7, but all of these guys are deserving of inclusion on the list. Mason (5-11, 230) is a handful, as you can see on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16466629/637a54f364df0909f4780310" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sophomore highlights</a>. As you would expect with his frame, he bulldozes defenders regularly, but he also has some wiggle in the hole. He rushed for 716 yards and eight touchdowns in '22, numbers that should rise this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->