Five Western Kansas Running Backs to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are down to the last week of summer and then high schools across the state will be having the boys of fall strapping it up for yet another football season. I have so far this summer covered Western Kansas linebackers, defensive ends, defensive tackles and secondary players. In this installment, I will be showcasing five running backs from the Western half of the state. They will be coming from such leagues as a the Western Athletic Conference, the Western Kansas Liberty, the Northwest Kansas and lastly two from the Hi-Plains League. These prospects will be coming from the 2026 and 2027 classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of these prospects have been getting after it this off-season in the weight room, summer camps and any other athletic activities they have been a part of. I'm eager to see how they have developed and perform in the coming month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again profiles for each of these athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospects-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1609452"],"_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-689cf79089adf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wright is one of the very best small school prospects regardless of classification or class. With him being a part of the 2027 class, we should look for some very impressive numbers being put up in the coming seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-Man superstar comes from very good stock, as his father Derek Wright (Tri-Plains) is arguably one of the greatest 8-Man players of all-time. The elder Wright held the state 8-Man rushing record for numerous years and went on to play college ball at Garden City CC and then Fort Hays State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talking of records, Karsyn broke the Weskan school records in both the 100m and 400m this track season. In the 100m he ran 10.96 and in the 400m he ran a 1A best 50.86.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On the gridiron, the 5-foot-11, 165-pound RB/LB rushed for 1,029 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground and also had 18 receptions for 374 yards receiving and a additional six scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1604520"],"_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-689d004e4ed51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Don't let his height fool you, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound Pattangall who was one of the top rushers in all of the 8-Man ranks this past season and is a explosive and very strong athlete. Clocking a 4.7 forty, squatting 455 pounds and deadlifting 500 pounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In eight games, the Oberlin native rushed for 1,285 yards on 182 carries and 17 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, he helped lead the Red Devils with 70 tackles, 2.0 fumble recoveries, 1.0 forced fumbles and 1.0 interceptions from his linebacker position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He was a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I at RB and was First Team All-Northwest Kansas League at both RB and LB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590226"],"_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-689d004e4edef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past fall Hays reached the 5A State Title game before falling to Kansas City powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas. Lind was a big reason why the Indians had such a big year and why many still have their eyes on them as legit contenders this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately for Lind he missed much of his sophomore year with a broken leg but rebounded in a absolutely huge way this past fall when he rushed for a staggering 1,678 yards on over 260 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He averaged 6.0 yards per rush on the season. Also a quality receiver out of the backfield, he had 229 yards receiving and seven additional touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This past season he was recognized as First Team All-State 5A and First Team All-Western Athletic Conference running back. Blessed with an dominate and physical road grading offensive line that mostly returns this coming season, it will be interesting to see if he eclipses the 2,000 yards rushing mark this coming fall?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1229105"],"_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-689d004e4ee6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most prolific rushers in the state returns in the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Young. He plays quarterback for the Indians but is used primarily as a runner than as a passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past fall he rushed for 1,511 yards on 108 carries and had a staggering 26 touchdowns. He also threw for 465 yards on 23 of 40 passing and nine more scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Due to his terrific junior season, he was honored as a First Team All Hi-Plains quarterback and a Honorable Mention All-State 8-Man I offensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wichita County looks to build upon their quality 8-2 season where they lost in a close playoff battle to the eventual state champions in Hoxie, 40-30. Young should once again be the focal point on their offensive attack this coming season regardless of the position he is listed at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1684847"],"_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-689d004e4eeeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the biggest producing athletes in all of 8-Man this past season, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Froese is a big time athlete that possess very good speed and explosiveness. He definitely has a the frame that colleges are looking for at the running back position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past fall as a RB/DB, he rushed for 1,800 yards and 35 touchdowns but also on the defensive side of the ball had a staggering 109 tackles and three interceptions from his secondary position. Primarily a running back, he did pitch in at the quarterback position due to injury at that position. He was a honored as a Honorable Mention 8-Man I All-State running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Froese also is a big time performer in both basketball and in track. He was an Second Team All Hi-Plains performer on the hardwood. In track, he participated in both the 100M and the 4×400 for Larks at State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some other running backs to definitely keep an eye on this coming season are [player_tooltip player_id='1229091' first='Tyler' last='Backman'] (Norton), [player_tooltip player_id='1662480' first='Braxx' last='Farr'] (Medicine Lodge), [player_tooltip player_id='1333005' first='Cody' last='Wright'] (Colby), Korbin Johnson (Holcomb), [player_tooltip player_id='1622490' first='Conner' last='Holladay'] (Great Bend), [player_tooltip player_id='1620508' first='Jackson' last='Gillespie'] (Thomas More Prep), [player_tooltip player_id='1113259' first='Coda' last='Lindsay'] (South Central), [player_tooltip player_id='1515810' first='Carson' last='Schartz'] (Ellis), [player_tooltip player_id='1609451' first='Jack' last='Conness'] (Trego County), [player_tooltip player_id='1604531' first='Joshua' last='Stuckey'] (Kinsley) and [player_tooltip player_id='1611463' first='Weston' last='Scherrer'] (Victoria).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once again be on the look-out for more positional prospect breakdowns from the western half of the state. Next update will see us going to the offensive side of the ball where I'll showcase some of the best wide receivers Western Kansas has to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm always looking for the next studs to showcase and evaluate, so don't be afraid to follow and message me at @Coach_Mitchum on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->