Indiana All-State Top 50 Team: Running Backs

The running back position is evolving. Now more than ever, running backs are asked to be the focal point of the entire offense. Not only are they tasked with being dominant on the ground, but today’s top running backs are great receiving threats and solid blockers. The All-State Top 50 team includes four running backs who are the versatile playmakers that any coach would want. The quartet have what it takes to pace a collegiate offense. [player_tooltip player_id="175735" first="Micah" last="Houser"], 5’10, 180 pounds, Westfield, Senior So many times, throughout the season, on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Micah Hauser came up with big plays when needed most. At running back, Houser uses great bursts of speed to get through the hole and into the second level. Once he gets in the open field, he is so difficult to stop, not just because of speed, but because of the way that he can elude tacklers. Houser can make a move to get around them or he can just go right through the defender. He is outstanding in short yardage and goal-to-go situations. When playing free safety, Houser is a ball-hawk. He is tremendous at reading the eyes of the quarterback and either breaking up a deep throw or making the interception. Houser does well at coming down to make tackles. For the season, Houser carried the ball 188 times for 1,280 yards with an extremely impressive average of almost seven yards per carry. He averaged over 90 rushing yards per game this past season. Houser getting into the endzone was a regular occurrence this past fall as he ran for 26 TDs. Houser was also a viable receiving option. He recorded 13 receptions for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively Houser was a force when it came to creating turnovers. He snatched three interceptions to go along with three passes defensed and two forced fumbles. [player_tooltip player_id="97999" first="Lavarion" last="Logan"], 5’11, 205 pounds, Merrillville, Senior In his senior season with the Merrillville Pirates, [player_tooltip player_id="97999" first="Lavarion" last="Logan"] was a big play machine. Logan’s yards per carry average was astounding this past season as he managed to garner, nearly, eight yards per pop. He was a workhorse back for the Pirates as his total of 288 carries would suggest. Logan piled up 2,256 yards on the ground this year while averaging over 173 rushing yards per contest. Logan made his mark in the passing game as well. He had 20 catches for 312 yards and three touchdown receptions. [player_tooltip player_id="97999" first="Lavarion" last="Logan"] is the prospect who can energize an entire team with the plays that he creates. [player_tooltip player_id="39063" first="Colin" last="Price"], 6’1, 195 pounds, Zionsville Community, Senior Collin Price is a physical, downhill runner who played a huge role in the deep playoff run that Zionsville put together this season. Price gets north and south quickly, and he puts the defense under pressure. He does a good job of running through first contact. His highlight tape features multiple instances where more than one defender made contact but was unable to get him on the ground. Price runs with good balance, and he plays behind his pads. As a receiver, Price can do well not just running routes out of the backfield, but when he is split out as well. He posted 1,698 yards on 237 carries with an average of 7.2 yards per carry and 130.6 rushing yards per game. Price ran for over 100 yards in a game six times this season and scored 22 touchdowns. Price caught 30 passes for 268 yards and three receiving touchdowns. On top of his offensive attributes, [player_tooltip player_id="39063" first="Colin" last="Price"] was a big contributor in the kickoff return-game as well. He returned 16 for 375 yards and one touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id="107290" first="Drew" last="Wheat"], 5’10, 160 pounds, Center Grove, Junior The Center Grove offense was led by Taven Jackson, but an outstanding ground-game that featured [player_tooltip player_id="107290" first="Drew" last="Wheat"] was instrumental in allowing the offense to run at the efficiency that it did. Wheat carried the ball 130 times for the Trojans, gaining 1,003 yards in route to winning a state title. Wheat averaged close to eight yards per carry with over 71 rushing yards per outing. He scored 13 touchdowns on the ground. Wheat was an asset for Jackson in the passing-game. He caught nine passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id="107290" first="Drew" last="Wheat"] still has another season to continue to improve. Look for Wheat to be one of the top prospects in the Class of 2023.