Standout RB’s Looking To Surge Into 2K Territory

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this first in a series of articles on the top running backs in the state, we are taking a look at some of the guys pounding the rock in the greater Wichita area who are capable of ascending into the rareified air of 2,000 yards rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Obviously it helps if you go deep in the playoffs and take advantage of the additional games, but some are still capable of pulling it off in the regular-season alone, which requires averaging 10 straight 200+ rushing-yard games. Even with 13 games it requires 150+ per contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improbable, yes. Impossible, no...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The running backs in these series of reports are not just any run-of-the-mill guys occupying a spot on offense. These are fast, explosive athletes with next-level skill sets. Guys with elite spatial awareness who can quickly slice through the hole and rip through arm tackles or showcase a blistering burst and acceleration hitting the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Apex predator RB's...</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, we are taking a look at five seniors who are coming off very successful junior seasons and coupled with an aggressive, very productive off-season of training, are ready to wage war on unfortunate defenses in the coming months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys have been doing to get ready for this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595719' first='Jamaal' last='Jackson III']</strong><em>,&nbsp;</em></strong>5'10, 190, RB,&nbsp;<em>Labette County</em>&nbsp;<strong>'26</strong>. First out of the gate is one of the state's top returning backs who gained 1,822 yards rushing and scored 20 touchdowns last fall. He followed that up by winning state in the 100m with a record-breaking 10.6 in the finals. With the ball in hand he has great vision seeing the blocking develop before making rapid-fire cuts and turning on the afterburners once in space. When not running track he has been training for this fall and his efforts are paying off as he has gained 10 pounds while still clocking a sizzling 4.39 forty and even more explosive with a 38" vertical. He has had a busy summer in the camp-combine circuit, dominating with his speed and versatility. He has also made it a point to step up and provide senior leadership to rally the troops for the approaching season. If there is any back with odds in his favor to hit the 2K mark it is this guy. Get your popcorn ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229095' first='Grady' last='Gebhardt']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-gebhardt/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-gebhardt/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/grady-gebhardt/"></a>&nbsp;, 5'9, 185, ATH,&nbsp;<em>SE Saline</em>, <strong>'26</strong>. With the 13-0 State Championship dream season in the rearview mirror, he has been laser-focused on wrapping up his high school career with an encore senior performance. Topping last year will be extraordinarily difficult as in addition to the title he was an all-state two-way dominator who piled up just under 2,000 yards rushing and receiving and scored 18 TD's. On defense he was a headhunter with 80 tackles, four TFL and three sacks from his linebacker position. As a runner he has a great feel for where gaps are going to open and is elusive and fast bursting through and into the open field. He is far more than a speed-back, as he tramples defenders and shreds arm tackles running through traffic. He is also a battering ram of a blocker when he isn't pounding the rock. This guy is an apex-predator of a RB who can do a little bit of everything and is ready to crush it his senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas']</strong></strong>, 5'8, 185, RB,&nbsp;<em>Eisenhower</em>, <strong>'26.</strong> Next up we have a guy coming off a standout junior season with 1,200+ yards rushing and averaged over six yards a carry, but didn't think that was near enough. In response, he plowed through a series of 12-week training programs that he posted on X and sustained all off-season. The hard work has paid off as he has put on 10 pounds and slashed his forty time down to 4.4. The improvements didn't stop there, as he also had a 500+ pound squat and showed his springs with a 38" vertical. He is an all-purpose RB with next-level skills who is versatile running the ball inside or on the perimeter. With ball in hand he has the vision to find soft spots in the defense and the burst to blow by defenders on the corner. He also demonstrates great balance and with his low center of gravity and power picks up chunks of yardage after the initial hit. This guy is locked in on having a blow-out senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1515945' first='Cooper' last='Reves']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/cooper-reves/"></a>&nbsp;,</strong>&nbsp;6'2, 215, RB,&nbsp;<em>Salina Central</em>, <strong>‘26</strong>. He is a multi-sport standout who started late last season but once he got rolling was a dominating sledgehammer of a runner who ended up with 1,128<strong> </strong>yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He capped off the year with a 25-carry, 245-yard, four-TD performance against Goddard. He is a relentlessly powerful back who uses his size and athleticism to full advantage blowing up defenders between the tackles and with his quick burst and decisive cutting is slippery in the open field. It has been a busy off-season for the&nbsp;two-time&nbsp;defending state champion wrestler who also won the&nbsp;<em>Folkstyle National Championship</em>&nbsp;this summer. He has been grinding in the weight room and on the field, working on speed, agility, and conditioning needed to carry the ball 30+ times a game if called on to do. He has also put on weight while getting faster. This guy is getting ready to steamroll the competition this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1622490' first='Conner' last='Holladay']</strong></strong>, 6'0, 205, LB/DB/RB, Great Bend, <strong>'26</strong>. He is one I covered recently and a baller I have been watching closely since last year as a multi-positional playmaker. Last season he helped his team go deep into the playoffs as a punishing linebacker/edge who racked up 70 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. He is an aggressive defender who uses next-level read and react skills to break on the snap and fly to the ball. This year he is going to get a chance to demonstrate his talent as a running back and has been preparing all summer to go both ways. He hit the camp-combine circuit working with the RB's and has been busy in the weightroom and conducting speedwork getting ready. The work is starting to reap dividends as he put on 15 pounds and has his forty time down in the 4.6's. This guy is going to be a lethal weapon on both sides of the ball this fall. Get out and see one of the top players in the state while you still can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I intend to follow up with another RB article that will focus on RB's in the NE/Kansas City-area where we have a host of baller backs ready to storm the gates this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action – you will not be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as usual…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Keep grindin'</em></strong>…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->