Top Returning Rushers From 2023
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a subscription In 2023 we saw five RBs from across WI break the 2,000 yard mark. Many others were close behind. As you could guess, the top of the charts is filled with senior…
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In 2023 we saw five RBs from across WI break the 2,000 yard mark. Many others were close behind. As you could guess, the top of the charts is filled with senior talent. Many of those dudes will be taking their talents to the next level. Also at the top of the charts are athletes who will be back and forcing defenses to continue to try and find a way to contain them. These workhorses are the focal point of today’s article. The athletes returning with the most production from 2023. Let’s get it started!
Christian Collins
Christian Collins
Not only is Christian the top returning rusher in WI, the junior RB led the entire state in 2023. He led in rushing yards with 2,503 yards and touchdowns with 40. Collins also finished 2nd in rushing yards per game with 192.5 yards. Turn on the tape and you see a dominant runner. Collins has the long speed to create the long gains and highlight reel TD. However, his top traits are his vision with the ball and his blend of power and balance. Collins sees the field so well with the ball in his hands. His eyes quickly find blocks, lanes, and aiming points. His ability to run through contact and bounce off hits while staying square over his feet is natural and easy for him. Christian’s huge numbers have me excited for next fall as he looks to repeat or beat them.
Parker Maney
Parker Maney
Junior RB/DB Parker Maney out of Reedsville is the next highly productive prospect coming through the program. Reedsville made a deep run in the 2023 playoffs, and leading the way was Parker. The 6’1″ 170 lbs athlete amassed 2,091 yards, 28 TDs, at a rate of 174.2 yards per game. That yardage was 5th in the state, the TDs were good enough for 8th overall, and the YPG was 9th. Parker doesn’t have any highlights at this time, but he will be one I check in on throughout the offseason to see if any are published.
One of the top returning players in WI is also one of the top returning rushers. Junior Grant Dean Grant Dean 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Neenah | 2025 State WI is a stud two-way playmaker. As far as traits go, the standout athlete fits best at safety. Where he can quickly diagnose plays and use his burst, agility, and speed to get to the ball quickly to make plays. On offense, that athleticism was key to his ability to put together one of the best non-senior performances. He was 12th in the state with 1,774 yards, and 14th with 25 TDs. Grant is able to further capitalize on those superior athletic traits with strong instincts and vision. He does a great job of finding where to attack and how to use blocks while always attacking downhill. I’m excited to watch him lead this talented Neenah team next fall.
Highlights
Aiden Humphreys
Aiden Humphreys
Aiden put together one of the best seasons in the state while helping lead Wrightstown all the way to Madison for a State Championship appearance. Aiden finished 25th in the state with 1,566 rushing yards. While amassing that number, Aiden demonstrated the ability to find the slightest running lane to slip through and then the ability to burst away from the crowd. It is all throughout the highlights below. The speed is there to leave everyone in the dust. Plus the well put together back is able to run behind his pads, and break tackles to gain the tough yards. Keep an eye on him to see how he and his team follow up their successful 2023.
Tommy proved to be one of the best backs in the state in 2023 on his way to a D1 State Championship. Tommy seemed to get better and better as the year went on, culminating in a dominant state championship game. In total, Novotny put up 1,548 rushing yards and 28 TDs. Those 28 TDs were good enough for 8th in the state. On tape there is so much to like about the sophomore playmaker. He is already a mismatch with the ball in his hands. Tommy dominates out in space. He beats angles, attacks open space and sets defenders up like a punt returner. Tommy also does a great job getting himself into space. His vision and agility allow him to get through the line, make people miss, and then win the race to the end zone. The sophomore is also a receiving threat to account for. Check out the tape and get him on your boards now.
Sam Ersland
Sam Ersland
Next up we have Wisconsin Dells junior RB Sam Ersland. The 5’11” 175 lbs RB finished his junior season with an impressive 1,540 yards. After watching through the tape for the first time, I came away impressed. Sam does a good job of following blocks, is decisive as a runner, and has the athleticism needed to create the big play. Sam attacks his aiming point, sticks his foot in the ground, and gets up field. The reported 4.65 40 speed stands out from the crowd too. I’m excited to see him take a step forward on the field this fall.
Gavin Voss
Gavin Voss
Gavin had to step up more than some expected this fall. At least as a runner. Following an injury, Gavin really took off with the increase in carries and finished with 1,478 yards rushing. The 6’2″ 205 lbs junior uses that size to his advantage as a runner, and as a DL. The big man easily rips through outstretched arms, drags DBs, and pushes the pile. Voss makes defenders earn their tackles. Gavin also has solid vision with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t just blindly run through the line. He stretches the defense, finds the lane, sticks his foot in the ground, and gets up field. I’m excited to see his senior year because he looks like the next impressive athlete to come through Colby. Check out the tape.
Owen Seffrood
Owen Seffrood
We don’t have any tape to go off of, but Owen put together a strong junior season on the stat sheet. In turn, Black Hawk/ Warren was able to make a run to a State Championship Game appearance. Owen finished the year 36th in the state with 1,462 rushing yards and 16 TDs. I’m excited to see how he ends his HS career in 2024.
Junior RB Paxton Rothmeier Paxton Rothmeier 5’8″ | 175 lbs | RB Medford | 2025 State WI helped Medford to an impressive 8-3 season on the back of his 1,457 rushing yards and 22 TDs. The 5’8″ 175 lbs back gave northern WI defenses nightmares trying to contain him. Paxton’s tape shows a ball carrier who knows how to set up blocks and defenders, finds cutback lanes quickly, can make defenders miss with agility, and has the speed to break loose for the big play. The junior also excels as a one cut back. He doesn’t waste time dancing. Paxton sticks his foot in the ground and accelerates through the gap he is attacking. Look for him to finish strong in 2024.
Highlights
Mason Radobicky
Mason Radobicky
Mason first broke onto the scene in the 2022 State Championship when he was called upon to step up for an injured Wynn Stang. He delivered then, and in 2023 Mason took another step forward by showing what he could do in a full season. In only 8 games, Mason put up 1,431 rushing yards, and 178.9 yards per game. Good enough for 7th most in the state. Mason excels between the tackles and running off tackle. His nimble feet allow him to pick through the traffic. He is able to bounce off hits, and once he clears the traffic the junior has enough long speed for the breakaway. Keep an eye on him as he looks to build on this past season’s totals.
Tommy is another returning bellcow back who helped lead his team to a State Championship appearance. The 6’2″ 200 lbs back is a tone setter between the tackles. The big back fights for the tough yards and is able to drag defenders as he gains yards after contact. Despite the long frame, Tommy has a sturdy center of gravity that allows him to play physical. Lutz has next level contact balance, absorbing big hits, shrugging them off, and getting up field. Tommy will be apart of a very talented offense in 2024. I’m expecting big things from them.
Highlights
Our final returning back who cracked the Top 50 rushing yardage totals in 2023 is Sun Prairie East’s Brady Kaufman Brady Kaufman 5’11” | 160 lbs | RB Sun Prairie East | 2026 State WI . The 5’11” 155 lbs sophomore relies on his agility and overall elusive running style to pick up his yards. Brady also uses his ball carrier vision to further boost the agility. He finds blocks, sets up defenders, and quickly finds paths of least resistance. I’m excited to watch the young athlete continue to develop over the next couple years.