A look at Oregon's top 2027 running backs

The state of Oregon just completed an historic year at the running back position, led by Lake Oswego's LaMarcus Bell and Lakeridge's [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'].   Both players are headed to Power 4 Conference schools and spent the past three seasons putting up monster numbers.   While it may be difficult to replicate that level of success, especially given that Oregon hasn't been known as a hotbed of running backs, there is a really good crop in the state next year as well.   Jesuit's [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] will be an Oregon 6A Player of the Year favorite, while [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'] is one of the fastest players in the entire Northwest.   Here's a look at several names to watch in the state (in no particular order):   [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'], Jesuit — Running behind one of the best offensive Ines in the Northwest, [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] put up monster numbers: 2,111 yards on 293 carries (7.2 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns.   If the 5-foot-9, 183-pound back can deliver a quality 40 time, he is likely to jump up significantly in the rankings.   Still, there's little doubt he's one of the regions most productive players.   Ortner will be a 6A Offensive Player of the Year favorite next fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'], Tualatin — [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'] is a legit sub 4.5 guy at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, which makes him one of the most electric playmakers on the West Coast.   While he played in just five games this fall, he posted impressive numbers: 87 touches (80 carries, 7 receptions) for 881 yards and 9 touchdowns.    Hachmeister's speed is going to be viewed as a significant asset on the recruiting trail, but he'll need a healthy season to climb to his full potential.    [player_tooltip player_id='709506' first='Deckard' last='Hale'], Grant — Put on the tape and “boom.”   [player_tooltip player_id='709506' first='Deckard' last='Hale'] was a first-team all-PIL selection on both sides of the ball and really pops on tape.   The issue? Well, the PIL isn't the best competition and a series of highly-recruited prospects failing to catch their footing in college football has made college recruiters hesitant to recruit the league.   Therefore, it is essential that those players put together verified profiles (size, speed) and shine in camp settings.   Hale looks the part and has a chance to really rise up the rankings, but this spring and summer will be huge for his stock.    [player_tooltip player_id='1569379' first='Treyton' last='Powers'], Grants Pass — The first-team all-conference running back tallied 1,600 all-purpose yards during his junior campaign.    Powers is a 5-foot-11, 182-pound athlete who rushed for a combined 680 yards and 9 touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2.    Like several of the running backs on this list, a big camp showing this spring and summer could really help his recruiting stock.    [player_tooltip player_id='1878396' first='Aidan' last='Galusha'], Dallas — [player_tooltip player_id='1878396' first='Aidan' last='Galusha'] is an all-state edge-rusher and the conference defensive lineman of the year, highlighting his stellar play on defense.   But the 6-foot, 200-pound athlete is also an honorable mention all-state running back and a first-team all-league selection.   He rushed for 590 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.   [player_tooltip player_id='937297' first='Gracyn' last='Fitch'], Sandy — An 8th grade all-state running back/linebacker, Fitch has been an “athlete” in the Sandy program.   The 5-foot-10, 175-pound playmaker, who is a key member of the school's historic 4x100 team, had a dominant playoff showing.   That culminated in a 6-carry, 99-yard, 2-touchdown performance on the ground - with an additional two interceptions (1 pick-6) on defense.   It was the type of performance that forces you to take notice.   [player_tooltip player_id='1591745' first='Ryder' last='Carpenter'], Mountain View — The two-sport star is also a standout baseball player for Mountain View.    But as a running back he was among the state's leaders in rushing yards - with 986 yards on 159 carries (6.2 yards per carry)    [player_tooltip player_id='1591584' first='Xander' last='Kekaualua'], Westview — As a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1591584' first='Xander' last='Kekaualua'] was a second-team all-league selection, accumulating 548 yards and seven touchdowns.    He showed flashes as a junior and has potential to make a big leap in his senior season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1125493' first='Reece' last='Ballew'], Mountainside — The Mountainside star burst onto the scene as a sophomore with 522 yards and six scores, averaging 9.3 yards per carry.   That led to some hype heading into his junior campaign.    This season, he got off to a hot start. He rushed for 122 yards on 12 carries, averaging 10.1 yards per carry.   But he suffered a grade 3 AC ligament tear, which ended his season.   A big senior campaign could be on the horizon as he has returned to full health.    [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'], Willamette — All-everything weapon [player_tooltip player_id='1654724' first='Hunter' last='Vaughn'] graduates, potentially setting the table for [player_tooltip player_id='1924374' first='Zuzi' last='Alwineyan'] to have a big breakout season.   Willamette coach Josh Line has spoken highly of the 5-foot-10, 180-pound student-athlete (3.7 GPA), so it's far from a stretch to project him to be a big-time playmaker very soon.    His impact was on full display Week 6 against North Medford, as he carried the ball 12 times for 111 yards and added three receptions for 63 yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='936893' first='Easton' last='Lawson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1878395' first='Colby' last='Owen']; Lakeridge — Lakeridge was loaded at the running back position with [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'] and others, but with several key graduations the position is wide open.   [player_tooltip player_id='936893' first='Easton' last='Lawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1878395' first='Colby' last='Owen'] were both honorable mention all-league selections in the Three Rivers League and have a chance to explode as the featured back next year.   If they share responsibilities it could make up one of the best 1-2 punches in the state.   Not a bad plan in the post-Sanoe era.    [player_tooltip player_id='1591587' first='Braden' last='Klein'], Southridge — [player_tooltip player_id='1591587' first='Braden' last='Klein'] showed plenty of pop this fall, highlighted by a 186-yard performance in Week 4.   [player_tooltip player_id='1709202' first='James' last='Richards'], Sandy — Back-to-back first-team all-league back [player_tooltip player_id='1110922' first='Caden' last='McMahon'] moves on and that leaves a significant void in the Pioneers' backfield.   Richards was a first-team all-league utility player this fall, but could climb up the list of backs if/when he takes over as a lead back.    [player_tooltip player_id='1990102' first='Wyatt' last='Kerrigan'], Stayton — During his sophomore season, Stayton's backfield was loaded and [player_tooltip player_id='1990102' first='Wyatt' last='Kerrigan'] was a young up-and-coming player.   He delivered on that promise this fall and could be in a big senior season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1241786' first='Thomas' last='Classen'], Estacada — A second-team all-league running back out of Estacada, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound two-way standout is currently playing for Alpha Football.   [player_tooltip player_id='936951' first='Owen' last='Hodson'], Canby — The 6-foot, 225-pound back showed plenty of promise this fall - and it is reflected on tape.    It will be in interesting to watch his development heading into his senior campaign.    [player_tooltip player_id='1708638' first='Kevin' last='Cohen'], Nelson — Nelson has quickly established itself as one of the best programs in the state.   And Cohen was a quality piece of the puzzle on offense.   He rushed for 414 yards and four touchdowns on just 58 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per tote.    [player_tooltip player_id='2089284' first='Emmett' last='Curl'], Hillsboro — The versatile 5-foot-11, 185-pound quarterback/running back/linebacker was first-team all-league as a running back and linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1703398' first='Malakai' last='Fong'], David Douglas — A second-team all-league running back out of David Douglas, [player_tooltip player_id='1703398' first='Malakai' last='Fong'] is 6-foot, 225 pounds and is developing into a quality bruising running back with plenty of athleticism.   A player to watch.    [player_tooltip player_id='936965' first='Kasen' last='Saffer'], Oregon City — A 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back/linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='936965' first='Kasen' last='Saffer'] was a second-team all-league selection this fall.   Oregon City has some serious playmakers, including wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1242623' first='Cavan' last='Rogers'], so it'll be interesting to see who pops.   It could very well be Saffer if he can build upon this fall's flashes.    [player_tooltip player_id='937303' first='Mace' last='Tingey'], Sherwood — Sherwood has produced more than its share of quality running backs and [player_tooltip player_id='937303' first='Mace' last='Tingey'] may be the next man up.   He's only 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, but he showed his potential impact immediately at the varsity level, taking his first carry 42 yards for a touchdown.

The state of Oregon just completed an historic year at the running back position, led by Lake Oswego's LaMarcus Bell and Lakeridge's Ansu Sanoe Ansu Sanoe 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Lakeridge | 2026 State OR .