Workhorse Backs, Pt. 2: The Steady Flame That Never Dies

These are the steady grinders — the backs who keep showing up, play after play, without the one jaw‑dropping night to grab headlines. They might not have that 200‑yard, multi‑touchdown explosion yet, but they've been nothing short of dependable every Friday night. Each one of these guys has stacked at least four games of 100‑plus yards and a score, the kind of consistency coaches dream about. They're the ones who make offenses run, the ones you trust when the game's on the line.    Whitten runs like he's got somewhere to be and anyone in his way is just an obstacle to move. Built low and powerful, he brings his defensive end's mentality to every carry — explosive and absolutely fearless through contact. He's sitting on 958 yards, 8.6 yards per carry, and 15 touchdowns, but the numbers don't fully capture how he earns them. He doesn't dance around trouble; he goes straight through it, lowering his shoulder and dragging defenders with him. Third-and-short feels like a formality when it's Whitten's number being called, because he's the kind of back who makes hard yards look routine.     Jayden already has 912 yards on 84 carries (10.9 per) and 16 touchdowns in seven games; he's been pure efficiency all season. He's another player who has a defensive mindset with the ball in his hands — that linebacker way of thinking: zero fear in traffic and a stubborn refusal to go down on first contact. Every carry feels like a fight he's not willing to lose. You see those legs keep driving long after two guys have him wrapped, and somehow he still squeezes out a few extra yards. He's not the flashiest back on the field, but between the tackles he's as reliable and determined as they come — a tone-setter who just flat-out wants it more than the next guy.     Justin Smith isn't the biggest guy on the field, but he runs like he's trying to prove size never mattered. Sitting at 844 yards and nine touchdowns, his production comes from a mix of patience, vision, and just enough burst to make defenders pay for overcommitting. He presses the line, reads the flow, and then slides into daylight with that smooth, almost quiet acceleration that catches defenses off guard. He's got a natural feel for traffic — slipping between blockers, keeping his balance when most would stumble, and turning what should be a short gain into a steady chain-mover. It's not flashy, but it's consistent, dependable football. Good luck getting a clean shot on him.     Kelton Rogers doesn't need flash to make noise — he's all substance. With 729 yards and 12 touchdowns already, he runs with a mix of balance, patience, and hidden burst that's easy to miss until he's already past you. He's a tough runner who knows when to trust his blockers and when to take matters into his own hands. There's a certain rhythm to the way he works through the line — quick feet, small adjustments, and then sudden pop through contact. He doesn't waste time trying to get cute in the open field; if the window's there, he hits it, and if not, he lowers the shoulder and earns his yard. Rogers feels like one of those backs every team needs — a guy who can do a little bit of everything and never gives you less than full throttle.     Aime Lamour turns into a human blur on a Friday nights. Currently at 726 yards and seven touchdowns, he's the kind of back who doesn't need much space to make a defense panic. He lives on the edge — pressing the corner, reading leverage, and then hitting the gas like he's shifting into another gear. His feet move quicker than most can track, and once he clears the first level, it's a race that usually ends with him pulling away. There's a smoothness to the way he runs — effortless but electric — and his acceleration out of cuts leaves defenders over-pursuing or guessing wrong. He's not built to bully you; he's built to make you miss, and he's been doing exactly that all season.     Landon Stetka's game is straight-up grown man football. With 16 touchdowns already on the season, he's a well-rounded back who blends toughness and patience really well together. He's got the kind of balance that makes arm tackles worthless — you hit him, and he keeps his feet moving until daylight appears. He's not about flash or fancy cuts, just steady, deliberate runs that always seem to end leaning forward. There's a real sense of control to his game — never rushed, never desperate — just confident, physical running that wears a defense down over four quarters.     Sebby Guye runs with that old-school edge — urgent and mean through contact, never dancing around a defender when he can just go through one. Sitting at 751 yards (8.8 YPC) and 9 touchdowns, he's been the heartbeat of Arizona Lutheran's offense. What makes him stand out is how he pairs that toughness with real vision and quick, choppy feet in traffic; he reads cutback lanes like he's been doing it forever, and once he breaks free, his stride opens up fast.     Higbee's the kind of back who brings juice to every snap. With 739 rushing yards (6.3 YPC) and 13 touchdowns, he's proving that high volume doesn't have to mean low explosion. There's a fire in the way he runs, constantly hunting for daylight and refusing to quit on a play until the whistle blows. You can see the aggression even in his footwork — those sharp, confident cuts that show he's running angry but controlled, with real purpose behind every step.     Will Ryken is one of those rare guys who can do just about everything, and somehow make it all look smooth. He's playing quarterback most of the time, but he's as dangerous as any running back with the ball in his hands and somehow has the skillset to line up out wide and get open on the other team's best corner. That's value. He's thrown for 879 yards and 6 touchdowns, but his legs are what really change games — 810 rushing yards at 7.7 per carry with 17 touchdowns. What's wild is how natural it all looks. He doesn't force big plays; he just finds them. He's slippery in space, smart with angles, and plays like someone who's always two steps ahead of the pursuit. Whether he's breaking contain, cutting upfield, or dropping a dime on the run, Ryken feels like the ultimate “whatever-you-need” guy.     Shawn Hinchcliff is the picture of a workhorse — the kind of back who just keeps coming no matter how many hits he takes. Sitting at 819 rushing yards (7.1 YPC) and 13 total touchdowns, he's the steady heartbeat of ALA–Ironwood's offense. He's not all flash, but when he hits that second gear, defenders who thought they had him wrapped up are suddenly grasping at air. His burst is sneaky, the kind that shows up when it matters most, and while he could stand to lower the pad level a touch, it almost doesn't matter — he absorbs contact like he's expecting it and keeps churning. Teams know what's coming, but stopping him? That's the hard part.     Rondan's the kind of player who makes you double-check the roster when you see the way he runs. He's piled up 770 rushing yards (8.0 YPC) and 9 touchdowns, but the numbers only tell part of the story. He's fearless hitting the edge, using that burst and body control to turn a toss or jet sweep into a highlight. He's the one delivering hits instead of taking them, even against guys with 20 pounds on him. Then he'll flip sides of the ball and show finesse at corner, reading routes and breaking on the ball like he's been studying film for years. Rondan's the kind of athlete who can change momentum with a single touch, and plays with the heart of someone twice his size.

These are the steady grinders — the backs who keep showing up, play after play, without the one jaw‑dropping night to grab headlines. They might not have that 200‑yard, multi‑touchdown explosion yet, but they've been nothing short of dependable every Friday night. Each one of these guys has stacked at least four games of 100‑plus yards and a score, the kind of consistency coaches dream about. They're the ones who make offenses run, the ones you trust when the game's on the line.

Aaron Whitten

POS RB

CLASS 2028

Aaron Whitten

School: Phoenix Christian

School: Phoenix Christian

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Workhorse Backs, Pt. 2: The Steady Flame That Never Dies

In this article:

Aaron Whitten

Aaron Whitten

Jayden Simmons

Jayden Simmons

Justin Smith

Justin Smith

Kelton Rogers

Kelton Rogers

Aime Lamour

Aime Lamour

Landon Stetka

Landon Stetka

Sebby Guye

Sebby Guye

Walker Higbee

Walker Higbee

Will Ryken

Will Ryken

Shawn Hinchcliff

Shawn Hinchcliff

Z'yeon Rondan

Z'yeon Rondan

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