PRZIA ’28 Rankings Update Position Breakdown: RB

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/06/inside-latest-iowa-2028-rankings-update/">rankings update</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Iowa's 2028 Class</a>&nbsp;dropped on Wednesday. The group grew to 175 student-athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a well-rounded collection of talent at every position. The running backs are packed with potential, athletic and versatile enough to change positions if a college sees that as the best path. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at some of the dudes in this group:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603072"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fe29fa351d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akuar operated on the Valley freshman team last season, preparing himself for what could be a golden opportunity on the varsity in 2025. The Tigers graduated their top four rushers from a year ago. The leading returning rusher is the quarterback. Akuar flashes the potential to seize his chance. We see that watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23098044/6731efd0084dd5142530b2d1">ninth-grade highlight video</a>. He's a bigger back, sometimes lining up at fullback, where he can blast through the front with the rock, block or catch passes. This description should not lead to an assumption that Akuar is slow. He can move his mass, make people miss and get to another gear, all of which he shows when returning kicks. Akuar has the makings of a breakout performer this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1613504"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fe3eab4061"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Operating on the Trojan freshman squad in 2024, Bangana developed for what he hopes is a varsity role this season. The door could be open with the Trojans graduating their top two rushers from a year ago. Bangana offers that potential to maximize his chance when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22761800/673026f3eb3da2ca233475f1">ninth-grade highlight video</a>. Getting downhill quickly, he's not going down easy when carrying the rock. Bangana is a physical runner with vision to find the open lane and burst to get through the hole. He can stick his foot in the ground and juke defenders, but power is his calling card right now. Bangana also flashes upside as a defensive back and stands out on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657527"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fe4e6e4748"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hickenbottom kicked off his prep career operating on the Winterset freshman team last season. Winterset graduated players that accounted for almost 1,700 of its 1,882 rushing yards from a year ago. Hickenbottom looks like a student-athlete capable of helping the Huskies overcome those losses. During his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23427945/67a24d8b836fc433dd04ed62">ninth-grade highlight video</a> we see the evidence. He offers an impressive package of physicality and speed with patience and vision. Hickenbottom runs patiently, flowing with his blockers until its time to hit the jets. He has the quickness to get to the edge and turn it upfield. Hickenbottom's athleticism and skill set play well on defense and special teams, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1603066"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fec7a3620d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After getting his feet wet on the Wolves' freshman squad in 2024, Tobongye has positioned himself to compete for playing time this season. Northwest graduated plenty of its backfield production from a year ago. Tobongye makes a case for himself to help out on the varsity during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22691279/675b313829457c4fc955fa91">ninth-grade highlight video</a>. There are natural gifts necessary to achieve success playing running back, and he has them. Tobongye's wiggle, power and patience aid him in picking his way through the defense. He can bounce plays outside with the speed to get to the edge and then outrun defenders. If you're looking for a breakout for 2025, Tobongye is an excellent candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689158"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fec7a3626a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bobcats had Vaassen break into prep football by playing him on the sophomore team as a ninth-grader in 2024, when he ran for more than 1,000 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. While they return their leading rusher from a year ago, plenty of production was lost to graduation, opening up an opportunity for Vaassen, who's also an asset on defense and special teams. We see evidence of these abilities watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22968260/671f098b4c20845194a42bf8">freshman highlight video</a>. On it, Vaassen brings a lot of explosiveness and shows breakaway speed. His commitment to hitting the hole hard and bursting through it impresses. Power also is a part of Vaassen's game, where he easily breaks arm tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696640"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-685fec7a362ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walter's frame is filling out, so he looks a bit like a wide receiver playing running back during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20566403/673965496b211801ac73ace7">freshman highlight video.</a> The skill set is there for him to line up in the backfield, though. Walter hits the hole hard and gets north-south quickly. The second clip on his film shows him lining up in the slot and beating the defense on a deep route, so his versatility is an asset. Walter is a home-run threat whenever he has the ball in his hands. He's also athletic with a broad base of skills that keep open the door for him to develop at another position with three years of high school remaining. Walter also can help on special teams and is one to watch in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->