Position Breakdown: Top 10 Running Backs In 2023 Rankings

We’ve published our 2023 prospect rankings with the Top 75 rising juniors in the state of New Mexico. You can check out the complete rankings RIGHT HERE. Right now, we’re taking a look and putting a spotlight on the top 10 running backs that have made their way onto our rankings with their play on the field or at camps over the past several months. <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="138053" first="Cayden" last="Walton"], Raton</strong>: If not for Covid, Walton would be on track to become the state’s all-time leading career rusher. Still, his first two full seasons with the Tigers have been spectacular. After gaining valuable experience as an eighth-grader in 2018, Walton has rushed for 2,571 yards in his last 16 game for Raton, entering the fall with nearly 3,000 career rushing yards on his resume. Only two running backs in state history have surpassed 6,000 career rushing yards. Walton could be the third. <strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id="137929" first="Amarius" last="Wedlow"], Alamogordo</strong>: Senior [player_tooltip player_id="26190" first="Sean" last="Hays"] was the Tigers’ top running back this spring, and deservedly so, but Wedlow was a solid second option, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Wedlow should earn the No. 1 spot in the fall. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, and should grow some more over the next couple of years. He’ll be a load for Class 5A defenses. <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="138075" first="Jakeem" last="Reed"], Farmington</strong>: The Scorpions cruised to a 5-0 record this spring on the strength of a stellar passing game. But they could run the football too, and Reed was a big reason why with close to 200 rushing yards and average of 8.8 yards per carry. Farmington’s top two rushers in the spring (RB Macen Alley, QB [player_tooltip player_id="26172" first="Caleb" last="Carrillo"]) were seniors. Reed should get his turn as Farmington’s No. 1 RB, giving the Scorpions an entire new offensive backfield with QB [player_tooltip player_id="26232" first="Brandon" last="Furbee"] taking over the signal calling from Carrillo. <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="138054" first="Erik" last="Wolf"], Moriarty</strong>: The Pintos should have one of the top rushing attacks in Class 4A in the fall with rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="135110" first="Cayden" last="Dunn"], Wolf and [player_tooltip player_id="138055" first="Matthew" last="Romero"] (see below) sharing the football. Wolf is the scatback with his 5-foot-7, 130-pound frame. <strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id="138055" first="Matthew" last="Romero"], Moriarty</strong>: Romero totaled 179 rushing yards in five games for Moriarty. Romero is slightly smaller than the 6-foot-1, 180 Dunn, but that might not be the case in the fall of 2022 when Romero is a senior. The Pintos’ ground game should have plenty pf punch these next two years. <strong>6. [player_tooltip player_id="138051" first="Nathan" last="Velez"], Eldorado</strong>: The Eagles’ top two rushers in the spring were seniors Elijah Goree and Connor Baca. Velez will have an integral role in Eldorado’s new-look offensive backfield in the fall as senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="26222" first="Nick" last="Petty"] is graduating as well and moving on to the next level. <strong>7. [player_tooltip player_id="137923" first="Malachi" last="Thymes"], Sandia</strong>: Thymes emerged this spring as one of the most promising young running backs in the Albuquerque Metro Area. He had 130 yards and three touchdowns against West Mesa in the shortened season finale. <strong>8. [player_tooltip player_id="138056" first="Cole" last="Conway"], Albuq. Academy</strong>: The Chargers have one of the top passing attacks in Class 4A but the 6-foot-2, 215-pund Conway should be the perfect complement to keep defenses honest. <strong>9. [player_tooltip player_id="138058" first="Tristen" last="McNeal"], Aztec</strong>: McNeal and rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="135308" first="Ryan" last="Ray"] should give Aztec a formidable rushing duo with QB [player_tooltip player_id="137893" first="Marcquis" last="Henry"] contributing as well. <strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id="138074" first="Devyn" last="Fierro"], Artesia</strong>: Fierro is an athlete with the ability to both run or catch the football. Jake Barrera will be the Bulldogs’ No. 1 RB in 2021, but Fiero and Payton Dean are solid backups. https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1389580663456772097