Five More Iowa Running Backs Roaring Through 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2025 regular season winding down, we take a look at five more running backs that have piled up numbers on the ground this season in Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/running-backs-roaring-through-the-first-four-weeks/">Running Backs Roaring Through the First Four Weeks</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583687"],"_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-68efbcc12fa1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The only sophomore on this list and the top-ranking second-year player in Iowa in yards per carry (9.7) and touchdowns (12), [player_tooltip player_id='1583687' first='Braydan' last='Doss'] has certainly been roaring out of the Lewis Central backfield so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's also been amongst the best returners in the state, taking 12 kick returns back for 399 yards and two scores, an average of 28.5 yards per return. Thanks to his contributions in both phases, Doss ranks eighth in all classes in all-purpose yards with 1,471 total, and he leads class 4A in all-purpose yards by 342 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1844927"],"_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-68efbcc12faa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ranking No.1 in multiple rushing categories in his class, [player_tooltip player_id='1844927' first='Ethan' last='McNeal'] of Atlantic has been running all over 3A defenses throughout 2025. The Trojans are riding on the back of the junior to offensive success, and head coach Joe Brummer has had little reason to do much else after a 5-2 start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far this season, McNeal is atop the list of backs in his class in total carries (149) and rushing yards (1,061). No. 12 in yards per carry (7.1) and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns (11), McNeal has shown little-to-no signs of slowing down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1615327"],"_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-68efbcc12faf1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Undefeated with a 7-0 record to start the year, [player_tooltip player_id='1615327' first='Korben' last='Michels'] and St. Ansgar have been ripping through their Class A schedule so far this season, winning by an average margin of 44 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michels -- who has had to carry the ball much less often than his counterparts here -- is a massive reason for that. Now a senior, Michels has taken just 55 carries for 940 yards and 20 touchdowns. With those numbers, he's averaging a state-leading, gargantuan <em>17.1 yards per carry</em>. At 5-foot-4 and 160 pounds, Michels isn't a super intimidating physical size, but he should be intimidating to opposing defenses with those numbers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["856072"],"_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-68efbcc12fb46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top rushers in 5A that we haven't discussed much this season, [player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'] holds down the complimentary rushing attack for Dowling Catholic. With a passing attack led by Division I prospects, [player_tooltip player_id='401674' first='Joey' last='Nahas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619623' first='Sam' last='Drexler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1241492' first='Jeffrey' last='Roberts'], Middleton carries the load on the ground for the Maroons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, the senior tail back has held up his end of the bargain, taking 142 carries for 818 yards and nine scores. He may not be the workhorse of the offense quite to the level of his 5A counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie'] of Ankeny, who made our first list of talented running backs in the state, but he's not far behind. Middleton ranks second in carries, fifth in yards and is tied for nineth in rushing touchdowns in 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1955112"],"_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-68efbcc12fb92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of the best rushers in Class A, [player_tooltip player_id='1955112' first='Josh' last='Winey'] isn't racking up nearly 20 yards per carry like another player listed here, but the senior is definitely carrying the offensive load for Earlham. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, Winey ranks eighth in 1A in carries (129), fourth in yards (1,156), nineth in yards per carry (9) and fifth in rushing scores (15). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A do-it-all player for the Cardinals, he's also registered 35 tackles, five pass-breakups and three interceptions, including a pick-six on defense. As a return man, he's taken three punts back for a total of 54 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->