2025 Running Backs on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The following report is a look at some of the rising star running backs from the 2025 class in the Wichita surrounding area. The report will focus on four ranked backs coming off standout junior seasons as well as an unranked back that will be climbing into the rankings in the very near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report will be a high-level breakdown of running back skill sets and some of the factors contributing to their abilities to make things happen on the gridiron. The running back position is evolving and the requirements for being a complete back requires the stars of today to do more than just tote the mail. Today's backs must be able to run, obviously, but catching the ball out of the backfield and being a bone-crushing blocker are critical as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highest-ranked running back in this report is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571096' first='Westin' last='Rose']</strong>, 5'11, 185, from <strong>Circle</strong>, who hit the rankings this year at <strong>#80</strong>. He is coming off a shortened junior season but still managed to rack up 807 yards on only 108 carries for an eye-popping 7.5 yards per carry and 134.5 yards per game average. He is poised and ready to have his best season yet in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the rising star backs are listed below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866509' first='Van' last='Loop']</strong>, 5'9, 175, RB, Haven - is currently ranked at #125. He is coming off a breakout junior season when he scored 15 touchdowns and averaged just under a hundred yards a game with a 5.1 average. As the primary runner in the Haven one-back set, he is a strong, slashing back for his size and goes out of his way to deliver a blow. He finds daylight very effectively with his excellent acceleration and is fluid in making cuts and shifting gears. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866496' first='Fisher' last='Dye']</strong>, 5'8, 165, RB, <strong>Mulvane</strong> - currently ranked #117. Following a promising junior season showing outstanding potential he is prepped for a breakout season in 2024. An athletic all-around back who blocks and runs well, he is also a superb receiver out of the backfield. He ripped off a number of long runs with his excellent speed and acceleration. Additionally, he has an effective spin move where he strikes a blow and then effectively spins out of the defenders grasp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='281968' first='Carlos' last='German']</strong>, 5'9, 175, RB, <strong>McPherson</strong> - is ranked #118. He is coming off a junior season where his athleticism and ability to play multiple positions was evident. He not only plays both ways as a corner on defense in addition to running back, he is also a standout return man. Using his breakaway speed he hits the hole with a quick burst, cuts on a dime and is in the secondary before defenders know what happened. He is not just a speed guy, as some of his most impressive runs were he made significant gains after contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571096' first='Westin' last='Rose']</strong>, 5'11, 180, RB, <strong>Circle</strong> - currently ranked #80. As mentioned above, he averaged an impressive 134 yards per game last year and 7.5 yards per carry on his way to Honorable Mention All-State recognition last season. He is an excellent multi-talented back who is a strong receiver out of the backfield. He is also a powerful runner with good top-end speed that usually requires more than one or two defenders to bring him down in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddox Archibald</strong>, 5'9, 170, RB, Andover Central - is not currently ranked. He won't be unranked long as he is coming off a breakout season where he carried the ball 275 times for 1,273 yards and 19 total touchdowns. As a workhorse tailback, he hits the hole quick and makes effective cuts to get into the secondary in a hurry. He is a tough, hard-nosed runner who sets up his blocks well and can be counted on to pick up short yardage as needed or break off the long run when the opportunity arises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->