Scouting Remarkable '26 Running Backs in Iowa

While teams are opening up their passing games more these days than years past, the weather in Iowa rewards outfits that can gain yards on the ground later in the season. Productive running backs are an asset.   Here's a closer look at seniors-to-be that will tote the rock this fall and still are searching for college homes:    I saw Larmie in action when the Hawks visited Liberty last season, when they twice made that trip. He impressed with his requisite skills to play the position being complemented by a good feel for the position. Larmie runs with patience, allowing his blocks to develop and then uses his vision to hit the hole. While not the biggest back, he's tough to tackle thanks to burst and powerful legs. We witness the breakaway speed on the first clip of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16582940/6728eb48fd08e0b269e1e781">junior highlight video</a>. It looks like Larmie is operating at a different speed than the defenders. He rushed for 1,208 yards (6.5 YPC) and 11 touchdowns in 2024. Larmie added 11 receptions, giving opponents more to defend.     Muscatine has a strong history of developing productive ball carriers. Reiland currently holds down that title for the Muskies. He rushed for 989 yards (6.6 YPC) and a pair of touchdowns, and caught three passes for 85 yards and a score last season. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17799148/6737a7ce0b69e5ada7cdcb5d">junior highlight video</a>, we see a running back who gets it and goes. Reiland makes quick decisions and then lets his burst get him through the holes. He runs hard and keeps churning until he's down. Reiland looks natural catching the ball out of the backfield.     Maasdam is a bigger back that will run over you if he doesn't see a path around you. He shows good patience in allowing his blocks to set up and flows well with the play, as you can see on the first clip of his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18029796/6728fed5d12540ec9a4647de">junior highlight video</a>. On the second play, Maasdam lines up in the slot and makes an incredible one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone. He has enough wiggle to juke defenders and can outrun them when he gets in space. Maasdam rushed for 678 yards and eight touchdowns while splitting carries. He added 32 receptions for 320 yards and a score.     Kuennen put together separate highlight videos for <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19730441/67aa776dd3335cf49c0fed24">offense</a> and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19730441/67aa75648e47ed9c554ef497">defense</a> from the 2024 season. He certainly could attract colleges as a linebacker or safety. As a junior last fall, Kuennen rushed for 888 yards (5.1 YPC) and seven touchdowns while sharing backfield duties. He added nine receptions for 89 yards. Kuennen was named first-team all-district at running back and was on the all-state second-team as a linebacker. At 6-2, Kuennen is tall for a running back, but he uses it to his advantage. His power and sharp cuts make him difficult to tackle. There's impressive speed when Kuennen gets a head of steam going.     Playing in a backfield with a running quarterback, Rogers contributed 569 yards (5.6 YPC) and nine touchdowns rushing in only eight games during 2024. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19957991/673638cbfe713807bdbef4c5">junior highlight video</a> reveals a powerful ball carrier with some wiggle and elusiveness in his bag. Physicality is the outstanding trait, however. He crashes the ball forward into defenders, who must gang tackle to get him grounded. Rogers is seen carrying multiple guys into the end zone during his 11th-grade film. While he's not a burner, Rogers speed is good enough to complement his power in making him a dangerous back.     Weichert is a versatile athlete that could be more attractive to some colleges as a defensive back. A lot of them will like his skills at running back, however. Weichert shows why on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15140485/675212250267d7dc8217843b">junior highlight video</a>. Speed is a big part of his game. The first clip sees him taking a delayed handoff 70 yards to the house as he dusts the secondary. The second play has him grabbing a swing pass in the flat and racing into the end zone from 30 yards out. Weichert also runs well between the tackles, patiently waiting for his blocks to set up. He rushed for 818 yards (5.8 YPC) and nine touchdowns last season, adding 16 catches for 136 yards and a score.

While teams are opening up their passing games more these days than years past, the weather in Iowa rewards outfits that can gain yards on the ground later in the season. Productive running backs are an asset.