Pound the Rock: Top Running Backs in the Class of 2023

At the high school level, there is nothing more important than having a dominate running game that wears on opposing defenses, especially in the late phases of a game when defenders are sucking for air. For many schools, finding a consistent running game is sometimes the difference between winning and losing. For squads that headline a top ranked running back within the Class of 2023, consider themselves a potential group that can hoist a state championship by season’s end. Our recent update of the Prep Redzone 2023 player rankings includes some familiar faces, but also some newcomers who are hungry to prove why they belong to stay on the list of best ball carriers for the next 18 months. It’s time to unveil the top running backs for next year’s senior class. Who’s hard work and sheer skillset has paid off the most?   <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="150210" first="Noah" last="Triplett"] 5’9" 170 Dakota Ridge</strong> 2023 Rank: #7 RB, #57 Overall 2021 Stats: 214 CAR, 1,551 Yards, 7.2 AVG, 28 TD’s The junior product out of Dakota Ridge, Triplett was the definition of a workhorse back, mustering up an impressive 7.2 YPC, a stat that makes your jaw drop considering he carried the ball a whopping 214 times throughout the 2021 campaign. There is no question that a big reason the Eagles won 11 games was in large part to Triplett, who has a type of running tenacity that is rarely replicated in today’s age of football. Heading into his senior season, the shifty tailback should be considered one of the more electrifying players in the state.   <strong><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/5569477/61a435c442057f0308efe609" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></strong>   <strong>RB Cai’Reis Curby 6’0" 160 Aurora Central</strong> 2023 Rank: #6 RB, #53 Overall 2021 Stats: 122 CAR, 1,632 YARDS, 13.4 AVG, 19 TD’s There’s not enough to say how fundamentally sound Cai’Reis Curby plays the game of football. An intriguing prospect out of Aurora Central, Curby has all of the tangibles to be an effective and deadly player at his position. Just by looking at the pure numbers, many talent evaluators find it impossible not to fall in love with the Trojans back. After posting an astounding 13.4 YPC on only 122 carries and finding the end zone 19 times, it is a no brainer Curby belongs on this list.   <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="22753" first="Sam" last="Beers"] 5’10" 190 Air Academy </strong> 2023 Rank: #9 RB, #62 Overall 2021 Stats: 140 CAR, 1,162 Yards, 8.3 AVG, 16 TD’s After rushing for 1,800 yards and finding pay dirt an unthinkable 30 occasions during his freshman season at Air Academy, [player_tooltip player_id="22753" first="Sam" last="Beers"] has been raising eyebrows around the state for multiple seasons now. Now with only his senior year left, the Kadets have favored running their offensive attack through him since. Beers contains spectacular vision when the rock is in his grasp, and paired with his ability to pick up an invading rusher and help out in pass protection, Beers is as all-around solid as it comes.   <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="246925" first="Evan" last="Atkin"] 6’0" 170 Moffat County </strong> 2023 Rank: #20 RB, #166 Overall 2021 Stats: 179 CAR, 1,341 Yards, 7.5 AVG, 29 TD’s Small schools and all of their playmakers deserve some love too! In fact, there are many diamonds in the rough that have yet to be retrieved, and when you strike gold, you become rich beyond your wildest dreams. In this case, RB [player_tooltip player_id="246925" first="Evan" last="Atkin"] from 2A Moffat County can play the part of the diamond, and his play is as shiny as ever. Atkin’s ability to get to the second level and make men miss comes naturally to him. Not to mention, the Bulldogs love to call his number near the goal line, which is why he rushed for 29 touchdowns on the campaign.   <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="22757" first="Carlson" last="Tann"] 5’10" 175 Cherry Creek</strong> 2023 Rank: #2 RB, #24 Overall 2021 Stats: 93 CAR, 845 Yards, 9.1 AVG, 9 TD’s The leading rusher from a very explosive offense this past year, the Bruin’s skillful tailback had a fantastic 2021, and the expectation is that he can be even more dynamic and dangerous in around seven months. With a full offseason to prepare and work on his craft, there is a chance that Cherry Creek could be eve greater when the rock is in their possession. The thing that stands out in Tann’s game is his patience when waiting to find a hole to run through and then his fleetness to hit that same hole as quickly as possible. Top that off with great hands out of the backfield and all of a sudden, you have one heck of a football player. https://twitter.com/TannBubba/status/1467651407490990083   <strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="150207" first="Tyree" last="Trusty"] 5’10" 195 Columbine</strong> 2023 Rank: #3 RB, #28 Overall 2021 Stats: 147 CAR, 966 Yards, 6.6 AVG, 6 TD’s It’s no coincidence [player_tooltip player_id="150207" first="Tyree" last="Trusty"] has the word "Trust" in his last name, because the Columbine Rebels are handing him to the keys to the shiny new convertible in 2022. After the Rebels lost former running back [player_tooltip player_id="22688" first="Seth" last="Cromwell"] due to graduation, it’s time for the Trusty show, and he has more than the ability to fill the shoes. Playing the supporting role in the position committee a year ago, Trusty nearly rushed for 1,000 yards and averaged a healthy amount of yardage per carry while making the most out of every opportunity. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12978164/61a1c27b5ca8dd08f015b1c5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> <strong>RB Marcellus Honeycutt 6’2" 160 George Washington </strong> 2023 Rank: N/A 2021 Stats: 129 CAR, 1,417 Yards, 11.0 AVG, 20 TD’s Despite not being currently ranked among some of the other running backs in the class, I expect that to change in no time. After capping off the season a few weeks ago, Honeycutt can now look back and reminisce on an incredibly special season where he rushed for over 1,400 yards and averaged a first down each time the ball was in his hands. It should be only a short amount of time before the Centennial state knows Honeycutt’s name, and expect another big time season next year for the GW running back.    