'25 Position Breakdown: Running Backs Pt. 2

We're diving into the '25 class to highlight the top running backs in a two-part series where we're taking a closer look at each of these talented athletes. Highlighting the explosive athleticism and incredible vision that's spread out all across the state. Join us as we delve into the remaining 2025 running backs who've earned their spot on the rankings!    Watching [player_tooltip player_id='1099916' first='Joe' last='Birnbaum']'s tape, he's one of the most well-rounded backs that I've watched in quite some time. Being able to line up on the outside and beat a team's best corner for a touchdown is rare for a running back, but he has that type of ability. To make matters even worse for opposing defenses, Birnbaum runs with this determination to not go down without a fight – and often wins it. The type of back that makes me wish yards after contact was a tracked stat in high school football, he has some impressive balance to take the hits he does while staying on his feet. Coming off a junior season where he averaged over 9.5 yards per carry and found his way into the endzone a whopping 23 times, Birnbaum's a player coaches should have their eye on in 2024.      At 5'8" and a very solid 175 lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='1112341' first='Decker' last='Lee'] is a ball of athleticism in the backfield for Virgin Valley. Although he's not the shiftiest player, he's got some great straight-line speed which can really cause problems for opposing defenses. Lee has a really nice spin move that can leave his opponents looking silly that he'll use after both taking a handoff or catching a pass. With secure hands and his ability after the catch, he's a reliable option for his quarterback out of the backfield. A true workhorse back, Lee got 212 carries as a junior and consistently delivered for Virgin Valley. He's a player you don't want to miss as he gears up for his final high school season.      [player_tooltip player_id='1112346' first='Miguel' last='Reinares'] has some exceptional vision running the ball for Mojave. Getting upfield as quickly as he can, he wastes no time hitting the hole once he sees a little bit of a crease. With a stifling stiff arm, Reinares isn't going to the ground easily and does a nice job of being slippery and hard for defenders to get a good grasp on. He was able to average over 106 total yards per game as a junior while finding the endzone 11 times. As he prepares for his senior year, I'd expect Reinares to take a jump in that category and find himself in the endzone more often throughout the 2024 season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://d2htis0rx2m2xo.cloudfront.net/highlights/65392df7aa6f922a2e2c5c9a.mp4 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1329722' first='Brandon' last='Griffin'] is a very versatile back for Basic's offense. A player who can really torture a defense both on the ground and through the air, he's so explosive with the ball in his hands. Griffin has some great burst that most defenders just can't match and has the size to break through anyone who tried to bring him down with an arm tackle. Always making sure to maintain his momentum through the line of scrimmage which helps him navigate the big bodies of the trenches. Averaging 6.8 yards per carry and 11.8 yards per reception as a junior, Griffin should make a big impact stepping into a more prominent role for Basic.      Every time [player_tooltip player_id='1209598' first='Treasure' last='Harris'] got to 14 carries last season, he also made it to 100 yards. Someone who seemingly gets better as the game goes on, he's already shown he can take a real beating and continue to get back up; and at 5'6" 160 lbs, that's pretty rare to find. At that size, he's also incredibly hard to get ahold of for the opposing defenses. His quick-twitch really shines whenever someone breaks into the backfield with a clear shot to Harris and fails to bring him down. What may be most impressive watching his tape is his ability to consistently avoid the big hit. As he continues to grow, Harris' explosive playstyle could turn quite a few heads in 2024.

We're diving into the '25 class to highlight the top running backs in a two-part series where we're taking a closer look at each of these talented athletes. Highlighting the explosive athleticism and incredible vision that's spread out all across the state. Join us as we delve into the remaining 2025 running backs who've earned their spot on the rankings!