Top Five Rushing Leaders Returning in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking a look at each of the top five rushing leaders in yards that return in Class 5A this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/top-5-returning-passers-in-5a/">Top 5 Returning Passers in 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401669"],"_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-688e4e27d9aff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As we described [player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie'] in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/iowas-top-10-non-committed-2026-recruits/">Iowa's Top 10 Non-Committed 2026 Recruits</a> two weeks ago, 5A's top returning running back in yards rushed (1,208) is a “see hole, hit hole” type of running back. Tackling the lead tailback for Ankeny is not an easy task, as Larmie isn't afraid to dish out punishment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's only grown, too. According Ankeny's roster from last season, Larmie has grown an inch in height and gained 20+ pounds, moving up to 5'9" and 185 pounds -- and he still plays larger than his advertised height and weight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top running back in the class of 2026 and the class's top producer, Larmie could be in line for a major breakout campaign this fall, growing his recruitment and potentially receiving his first Division I offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241506"],"_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-688e4e27d9b5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Effectively the entire offense last season for Muscatine accounting for the majority of the production, [player_tooltip player_id='1241506' first='Seth' last='Reiland'] is back and seeking the opportunity to break 1,000 yards rushing this coming season after posting 989 yards and two scores on the ground last year for the Muskies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reiland, standing at 5'10" and 170 pounds, is a slippery runner that is tough to bring down. When provided solid blocking by his offensive line, Reiland breaks through to the second level with ease, and if he has a head of steam, can break right through arm tackles. If he's worked on his breakaway speed this offseason to finish off long runs, he'll see the endzone much more frequently in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361313"],"_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-688e4e27d9ba7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my personal favorite prospects in the class of 2027 that flies under the radar thanks to the shear star power of top-ranked, heavily-recruited prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='1198816' first='Luke' last='Brewer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204515' first='Will' last='Slagle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361313' first='Dawson' last='Kahl'] is a rugged runner that can dish out punishment to would-be tacklers. After transferring to Cedar Rapids Prairie this fall, the son of former Iowa running back Kent Kahl will look to take his game to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/class-of-2027-to-propel-cedar-rapids-prairie-forward/">Prairie Hawks practice this summer</a>, Kahl showed that he's grown in his ability to navigate space in the open field, <em>and </em>he's gotten faster. Joining an offense that will have a new QB under center and that's looking to return to the playoffs after missing for the first time in over a decade, Kahl could be the bell-cow type of back that provides an added boost to the offense. With [player_tooltip player_id='1207826' first='Will' last='Clausen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617665' first='Bubba' last='Donald'] leading the way, Kahl will look to improve off his 941 yards and 17 touchdowns from last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619495"],"_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-688e4e27d9be8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The fourth-most productive running back returning from last season, [player_tooltip player_id='1619495' first='Carson' last='Williams'] took 83 rushes for 711 yards and seven scores last season for Davenport Central. Williams is made for the big play and making something out of nothing. Both in the run game and on special teams, Williams takes the ball in scenarios where he appears to be dead in the water and takes it for a 50+ yard gain or a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Probably under-utilized last season and now transferring to Davenport North for his final year of high school football, Williams has an opportunity to drastically increase his numbers this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241414"],"_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-688e4e27d9c29"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bringing up the rear is [player_tooltip player_id='1241414' first='Jaden' last='Montgomery'] of Dubuque Hempstead, who rushed for 690 yards and 11 touchdowns on 111 carries last season. A stout, 5'9", 190-pound running back, the soon-to-be senior comes at you like a bowling ball. With burst and concentrated momentum, once Montgomery gets going, he's almost certainly gone. An all gas, no breaks runner, once he has his eyes on where he wants to be, he'll get there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A two-way player, Montgomery is also the leader of the defense for Hempstead, as he posted 70 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks last season at linebacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->