Best 6A RB Showings From Week 1

Continuing my coverage of Week 1 performances in the state's biggest class for football, I'm looking into the running backs position! RBs have long been one of Minnesota's hottest commodities, and the state continues to churn out elite ones who go on to play at every collegiate level. I've got 10 today who really popped off on the stat sheet, so dive on in!!    The #1 ATH in the state and Montana commit [player_tooltip player_id='2125946' first='Griffen' last='Dean'] had a MONSTER start to the season, playing an essential role in Lakeville South's Week 1 victory over Mounds View. Dean took 19 carries for a crazy 176 yards (an average of 9.3 ypc) with a TD on top of it. That touchdown run came off of a 68-yard breakaway carry from a dive play. Dean is one of, if not the best, ball carriers in the state, and with Lakeville South's heavy run offense, you can expect him to thrive and put up wild numbers during his senior campaign. Lakeville South will host the highly touted Shakopee Sabres in a very anticipated early-season matchup.     In my opinion, White had the best Week 1 showing out of any ball carrier in 6A. On only 15 carries, he took the rock for 211 yards and 3 rushing TDs, which amounts to 14.1 ypc every time he touches the ball. On his tape, White's style of play proved to be a unique combination that allowed him to see such success. He's got the speed to beat defenders to the edge and hunt upfield for extra yards, but he's thick and powerful enough to run through multiple tackles on the same play. White never stops churning his legs, and that constant movement helps him find open space time and time again. This, combined with excellent field vision and some nasty acceleration, rounds out to be an incredibly talented back with a high upside. In White Bear Lake's run-heavy offense, he looks due for a monster senior season.     The driving force behind the Rangers' run-game success in Week 1, highly regarded 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1289874' first='Mack' last='Jurkovich'], kicked off his senior season with a bang. The Bemidji State offered RB took 17 carries for an impressive 177 yards and found the end zone once during the process. He finished the night averaging over a 1st down a carry. Packed into that impressive body of work was a 40-yard run just behind the tackle, where he was able to break off for a first down immediately, before breaking a pair of tackles, bouncing the play back outside, and picking up 30 more yards. This was a big start for the Rangers, and I'm pumped to see what else Jurkovich does in 2026.     A recent transfer from Osseo to Wayzata, Criswell was an absolute bellcow on Thursday night. Wayzata had a crisp team success against Andover, but Criswell was instrumental in that win. He took an astounding 35 carries for 253 yards, all while averaging over 7 yards per carry. He doesn't have any senior tape available right now, but keep an eye out for this fast riser. The Trojans have a stacked squad this year, and if Criswell can continue to produce at the level we saw in Week 1, they could be a serious postseason contender.     A 2028 RB who returns for his junior season after starting a handful of games on varsity last season, Alkuno started 2026 off with a bang by emerging as a true bellcow for the Wolfpack. He took 26 carries for 110 yards, with two house calls mixed in. He also caught 2 passes for 26 yards. I really like what I saw from his Week 1 tape. Alkuno has a very well-rounded game. Solid speed, power, and vision round out his skill set, which allows him to have success in almost every situation. He does an excellent job of powering through contact and can break the first tackle on any given run. He should be a back to watch closely over the next couple of months.     One of the bigger backs in 6A, Mathis was a key component in Woodbury's Week 1 21-0 win over Roseville. The Montana State commit had 134 yards and a rushing TD on just 11 carries, which averages out to about 12.2 yards per carry. His Week 1 tape is fantastic. The All-State sprinter possesses what can only be described as elite speed. He's lethal to defenses once he gets the edge, and can both sprint past and bowl over defenders who get in his way. Mathis has all the makings of a monster senior season, and he'll have a big opportunity to turn up against a Moorhead team that many think is the best in the state this week.     The second of three Lakeville South athletes to find their way into today's article, Lebbi, also had a big game in the season opener last Thursday. On just 8 carries, Lebbi managed to rack up a very eye-catching111 yards, finding the end zone along the way, and averaging a stunning 13.4 ypc. The game tape he posted was unsurprisingly impressive. He's a very elusive ball carrier with the rock in his hands, capable of making defenders miss or running through tackles to find open space. Once he hits green, Lebbi is liable to gash the defense for a chunk play, or break one off all the way to the end zone. I particularly liked how he demonstrated the ability to make it through a convoluted first level, tiptoeing through falling defensive linemen and avoiding tacklers at the same time. Keep an eye out for Lebbi in his senior season.     Edina has had a nice stretch of productive RBs, and Solberg figures to be the next to take over that mantle. The senior ball carrier took 22 carries for 118 yards and a TD, averaging a solid 5.4 yards per carry in the process. He has a little bit of tape from Week 1, and on it Solberg showcases the ability to adapt to the needs of any given play. When a snap was bobbled and fumbled, not only did Solberg pick it up, but he managed to find daylight yards behind the line of scrimmage. He then took off, weaving and dipping between defenders before diving into the end zone. Solberg could be a solid pickup for a bunch of schools if he can continue to produce like this.     The final Lakeville South ball carrier to get a shout today is junior prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2381585' first='Teddy' last='Hilliard']. On just 4, yes, 4 carries, Hilliard tallied an insane 91 yards with a rushing TD to boot. That rushing TD came off a wild 79-yard TD counter where he made a quick cut close to the line of scrimmage before finding the sideline and gashing the defense irreparably. I'm excited to see more tape and game time from him coming forward throughout his junior year.     Although the Farmington Tigers came up short in their Week 1 game against Eastview, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2381588' first='Lavaar' last='Samuel Sanchez'] had a breakout game. Despite only having 8 carries, he amassed a solid 88 yards, with a TD mixed in. He's got no tape and no X so far, but everyone would be well-advised to keep an eye out for this class of 2030 RB!

Continuing my coverage of Week 1 performances in the state's biggest class for football, I'm looking into the running backs position! RBs have long been one of Minnesota's hottest commodities, and the state continues to churn out elite ones who go on to play at every collegiate level. I've got 10 today who really popped off on the stat sheet, so dive on in!!