Washington's top 2028 running backs

The state of Washington is on the rise in the coming years - with big-time playmakers in the classes of 2027-2030 (and beyond).   At Prep Redzone, we took a look at the top Washington running backs in the class of 2028.   Here's a look at the position:   [player_tooltip player_id='985352' first='Briytan' last='Bailey'], Puyallup — Bailey isn't the biggest back at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, but he is among the West Coast's most productive.   He rushed for 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore, earning SPSI offensive MVP in the process.   Expect Bailey to be a superstar in the state of Washington for the next two years.   He holds a lone offer from Montana State so far, but the production may eventually be undeniable and lead to a flurry of scholarships.    [player_tooltip player_id='1335622' first='Mekhi' last='Fields'], Rainier Beach — Let's be clear: Fields is a defensive player at the collegiate level.   But he did play some running back last fall, which gives him just enough exposure at running back to make the list.   In truth, Fields projects as a standout versatile defensive back piece.   Last fall he registered 54 tackles, 7 tackles-for-loss and three forced fumbles, allowing zero touchdowns in coverage.    [player_tooltip player_id='1335521' first='RJ' last='Ward'], Bellevue — The do-everything athlete may be more of a LB/S at the collegiate level, but he's also a very dangerous versatile weapon on the offensive side of the ball.   Ward holds early offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Idaho and Montana State.   While his future likely lies on the defensive side of the ball, we would be remiss not to mention him as one of Washington's top playmakers.    [player_tooltip player_id='995881' first='JT' last='Williams'], Lincoln —The 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore was sprinkled in at Lincoln last fall and showed what he could be with a full workload.   He carried the ball 45 times for 317 yards with five touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry.   That comes a year after he rushed for 12 yards a pop as a freshman.    Big performances are likely ahead and Prep Redzone is in on him early.    [player_tooltip player_id='1906007' first='Toby' last='Thornburg'], University —The 5-foot-10, 195-pound playmaker is a versatile offensive piece as a running back/wide receiver.   As a sophomore, he rushed for 1,089 yards and 9 touchdowns, earning second-team all-league honors in the process.   Expect him t oa be a Greater Spokane League Player of the Year candidate each of the next two seasons.   He's an impressive player with the ball in his hands.    [player_tooltip player_id='986701' first='J'Shaun' last='Wilson'], O'Dea — Wilson isn't the biggest back on the list, coming in at 5-foot-7, 175 pounds.   But he's a force on the gridiron.   Wilson was a key part of a state title run, rushing for 1,100-plus yards with 17 touchdowns on his way to first-team all-Metro honors, as well as the state championship MVP.   Wilson is legit!    [player_tooltip player_id='1615869' first='Kael' last='Copeland'], Kennedy Catholic — A two-way athlete who helps out all over, Copeland was an explosive play waiting to happen last fall.   He carried the ball 51 times for 609 yards, averaging 11.9 yards per carry - a “first down on first down”-type of back.    [player_tooltip player_id='2042096' first='Mylez' last='Welch'], Bothel — An honorable mention all-Kingco selection, Welch got snubbed.   He rushed for 1,044 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 143 carries.   Expect big things in the coming years, as his intriguing blend of  speed and power should serve him well on Friday nights.     [player_tooltip player_id='987104' first='Malcolm' last='Akuffo'], Puyallup — A big-bodied 5-foot-9, 225-pound bruising running back, Akuffo is a problem to bring down.   And that will only get more difficult as he gets stronger in the coming years.   As a sophomore, he rumbled his way for 287 yards and 8 touchdowns in 38 carries.    He pairs with [player_tooltip player_id='985352' first='Briytan' last='Bailey'] for arguably the best 1-2 punch in the entire state of Washington.    [player_tooltip player_id='1864049' first='Jayden' last='Harris'], Kamiak — The sophomore carried the ball 166 times for 1,043 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.    At a powerful 6-foot, 230 pounds, he's likely to only become even harder to bring down in the next two years.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615867' first='Kainoa' last='Brown'], Mercer Island — The 5-foot-10, 185-pound back is already a productive playmaker and workout warrior - 315 bench, 405 squat, 235 power clean.   As a freshman, he carried the ball 60 times for 523 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.7 yards per carry.    As a sophomore, he was a first-team all-league selection as a versatile offensive weapon.   Expect more big things on the horizon.    [player_tooltip player_id='1789677' first='Lawson' last='Geldermann'], Curtis — The younger brother of [player_tooltip player_id='1110181' first='Ryland' last='Geldermann'] (College of Idaho), Lawson has a chance to “pop” and be next in line.   He's a player worth keeping tabs on and a breakout season could be imminent.    [player_tooltip player_id='1338069' first='Chrystian' last='Ervin'], O'Dea — The two-time state champ is 5-foot-11, 195 pounds and competes in sprints and shot put, highlighting his blend of speed and power.   Expect big things from him very soon.    [player_tooltip player_id='2112995' first='Wilson' last='West'], Gig Harbor — As a sophomore at Gig Harbor, West rushed for 925 yards and two scores on 138 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per tote.   [player_tooltip player_id='1845126' first='Trevon' last='Barnes'], Bellevue — In an injury-shortened season, Barnes showcased what the future could hold.   The 5-foot-10 back carried the ball 50 times for nearly 500 yards and seven touchdowns.   A return to full health could lead to a 1,000-yard campaign this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='2112464' first='Tyce' last='Kinley'], Curtis — The 5-foot-10, 190-pound ball-carrier (with a 4.0 GPA) was a force as a sophomore with a first-team all-league selection.   Even bigger things are expected in the years ahead.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615868' first='Brady' last='Broders'], Kamiakin — Broders burst onto the scene with 390 yards and three scores as a freshman.    As "RB3" in his sophomore campaign, he contributed roughly 250 yards and two scores with an additional 20 tackles and 4.5 sacks on defense.   The workout warrior should continue to develop in the coming years and take on an even bigger role.   [player_tooltip player_id='985503' first='Trevon' last='Mayfield'], Kentwood — The all-purpose weapon was primarily a wide receiver last fall.   He accumulated 917 all-purpose yards of which 701 yards and 8 touchdowns came through the air.   The first-team all-league wide receiver could be a dynamic running back or a versatile offensive weapon.   For now, however, the majority of his production has come as a dynamic pass-catcher.   [player_tooltip player_id='1471099' first='Tyler' last='Sarsoun'], Isaaquah — The multi-sport athlete is a productive North-South back who finds the hole and has some power in the open field.   Sarsoun should see his production continue to climb.

The state of Washington is on the rise in the coming years - with big-time playmakers in the classes of 2027-2030 (and beyond).