Northwest’s emerging 2029 running backs

The Northwest has put out quality running back prospects in recent years, highlighted most recently by Utah signee LaMarcus Bell (Lake Oswego), Washington addition [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'] (Lakeridge) and late Washington State add [player_tooltip player_id='987161' first='Lance' last='McGee'] (Sumner).   In that spirit, Prep Redzone took a look at the next generation of running backs in the Northwest.   This list highlights 2029 (freshman) running backs who had visible production last fall.   Any time you are putting together a list of freshman stars who could "pop," it's possible to miss big names.   Every year, high school coaches and 7-on-7 coaches come forward with additional names to add to our watch list.   So, if you have any please e-mail me (andrewjohn.nemec(at)gmail.com) or message me on Twitter (@AndrewNemec) or Instagram (@Andrewjnemec).   We are always looking for the next stars.   With that said, here's a look at young ball-carriers who have already made a splash or caught our attention:   Washington   Demari'ae Barrington, Rainier Beach —The 5-foot-10, 190-pound ball-carrier got some varsity carries for Spanaway Lake last fall.    He's now at Rainier Beach and has been absolutely stellar this offseason.   Big things could be on the horizon soon.   Here's what Heir's Reggie Jones had to say about Barrington as a young prospect.   “Great balance and vision. Catches well out of the backfield. Has a frame that will put on more weight and only enhance his skill set as he gets older.”    [player_tooltip player_id='2134031' first='Dayton' last='Morris'], Woodland — Morris was stellar in his first season of high school football.   He rushed for more than six yards a pop and reached paydirt four times, earning second-team all-league honors.   He has eclipsed 20 MPH and is benching 245 pounds with a 405-pound squat, showing that he's in the weight room working.    Morris could emerge rather quickly as one of the best 2A backs in the entire state.    [player_tooltip player_id='1408841' first='Neyemiah' last='Griffieth'], Orting — He showed significant flashes on both sides of the football last season, highlighted by 33 tackles on defense and a collection if big runs.   It would not be at all surprising to see him double or triple his numbers from last fall.   Big things could be on the horizon - and soon.    [player_tooltip player_id='2134027' first='Jason' last='McIntosh'], Garfield — An honorable mention all-conference running back , MacIntosh has a chance to elevate his game in the next year and make a huge leap.   It will be fascinating to see what he can do (and be) as a sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='2137873' first='Von' last='Jackson'], Sumner; [player_tooltip player_id='2137855' first='Tytan' last='Phay'], Puyallup; [player_tooltip player_id='1693233' first='Asher' last='Schmitz'], Gig Harbor — Three noteworthy young players at big schools who become big names as they continue to take on bigger roles within their respective programs.   Oregon   [player_tooltip player_id='2127746' first='Jonny' last='Jenkins'], Willamette — The state's most productive 6A varsity freshman running back last year was Jenkins.   The 5-foot-9, 180-pound ball-carrier toted the rock 76 times for 477 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.   With several key pieces moving on from last year's loaded Willamette squad, Jenkins will be tasked with an even greater role this fall.   And he should flourish.   A 1,000-yard season is not only not out of the question, it may be the expectation for the talented young rusher.    [player_tooltip player_id='2079648' first='Easton' last='Grubb'], Tualatin — Let's be honest, freshman stats on the freshman level don't mean a lot.   But they can tell you a player is headed for big things down the line.   Last year, Grubb played at the lower level and broke schools records with 3,100 all-purpose yards and 41 touchdowns.   At a Prep Redzone showcase this winter, he was arguably the best back there… as a freshman.   The tools are loud, and at the ability jumps out at you even among other varsity athletes.   Grubb will be in a three-headed monster of a backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='1609595' first='Iden' last='Rule'] and [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'], but he has a chance to develop into a 6A Offensive Player of the Year-type of performer.   He's special.    [player_tooltip player_id='1558034' first='Zane' last='Zellick'], West Linn — Like Grubb, Zellick played at the lower levels of high school football due to an absolutely loaded varsity roster.   But he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Lions offense and took them up an entire level.   When he missed time, the offense visibility wasn't as potent.   Generally when West Linn has a freshman who plays like “a man amongst boys,” as one coach described, that's a precursor to bigs things down the line.   Zellick will be a star on Friday nights sooner rather than later.   [player_tooltip player_id='1563740' first='Mason' last='Girt'], Lakeridge — Stop me if you've heard this one before.   Girt was a superstar playing at the lower levels in Oregon behind a loaded varsity roster featuring more than 30 seniors.   He rushed for roughly 200 yards and 3.5 touchdowns per game, setting the tone for a highly successful young Pacers squad.    At 5-foot-8,  160 pounds, Girt still needs to develop and grow, but he's looked good in camps this offseason and looks ready to compete at the varsity level.   He could emerge as one of the Three Rivers League's best in the next year or two, and that's almost always a recipe for “best in the state”-type hype.   See: LaMarcus Bell, [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'].   When you're good in the TRL, you're good anywhere.   Girt looks like he'll be a star soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='2120098' first='Trey' last='Lawrence'], Bend — The 5-foot-9, 175-pound ball-carrier opened eyes last fall earning honorable mention all-league honors in his freshman campaign.   With three more years to build on that success, he could emerge as the Lava Bears' go-to playmaker sooner rather than later.   He is one of the most intriguing sophomores in Central Oregon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1566765' first='Cash' last='Arbow'], Mountainside — I'm very intrigued by Mountainside's 1-2 (3?) punch at running back next fall.   After a stellar sophomore campaign that hinted at stardom, [player_tooltip player_id='1125493' first='Reece' last='Ballew'] suffered an injury early in his junior campaign.   In two different camps I attended this winter, he was the RB MVP - and looked like an all-league (maybe all-state guy).   Add in [player_tooltip player_id='1076647' first='Kade' last='Laraway'], and that's a really good backfield.    But Arbow shouldn't be counted out of the mix, despite being a young player.    He rotated in as a freshman last fall and could take on a bigger role on offense - even if he may project higher on defense.   The baseball star/football talent may end up being one of the Metro League's best two-sport standouts when it's all said and done.    [player_tooltip player_id='2131482' first='Owen' last='Healy'], Jesuit — Jesuit has churned out more big-time running backs than almost anyone in the state over the past 30 years, and while the coaching staff is changing the school should still churn out talent.   Healy was a star for the Jesuit freshman as both a running back and linebacker last fall, and should be in line for bigger (perhaps varsity) stardom soon.   It's difficult to project him too far because the program is changing dramatically, and he remains a still-growing 5-foot-10, 190-pounder.   But assuming his development continues along the same curve, he'll be a name to know this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2131618' first='Dylan' last='Jones'], Mountain View — Playing freshman ball last fall, Jones rushed for 25 touchdowns.   Given the “hit rate” for Mountain View running backs in recent years, it's a safe bet that he'll be a big-time playmaker at the varsity level soon.

The Northwest has put out quality running back prospects in recent years, highlighted most recently by Utah signee LaMarcus Bell (Lake Oswego), Washington addition Ansu Sanoe Ansu Sanoe 6'2" | 210 lbs | RB Lakeridge | 2026 State OR (Lakeridge) and late Washington State add Lance McGee Lance McGee 6'1" | 215 lbs | RB Sumner | 2026 State WA (Sumner).