Daniel Larmie Daniel Larmie 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2026 State IA is leading the Ankeny offense on the ground, taking the bulk of the offensive load with 121 carries — the only tail back in all of Class 5A with more than 86 carries this season. He’s also 159 yards ahead of the next-closest rusher in total yards this season, with 737 on the ground.

Like Gordon, though the big runs may not be there to hike up his yards per carry, Larmie is the cornerstone with which the Hawks offensive scheme is built off of. He may not have the other-worldly total numbers that the rest of the group have to this point in the season, but he’s one of the more important tail backs for his team in the state.

As we described Daniel Larmie Daniel Larmie 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2026 State IA in Iowa’s Top 10 Non-Committed 2026 Recruits two weeks ago, 5A’s top returning running back in yards rushed (1,208) is a “see hole, hit hole” type of running back. Tackling the lead tailback for Ankeny is not an easy task, as Larmie isn’t afraid to dish out punishment.

He’s only grown, too. According Ankeny’s roster from last season, Larmie has grown an inch in height and gained 20+ pounds, moving up to 5’9″ and 185 pounds — and he still plays larger than his advertised height and weight.

The top running back in the class of 2026 and the class’s top producer, Larmie could be in line for a major breakout campaign this fall, growing his recruitment and potentially receiving his first Division I offer.

The top running back in the state of Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class, Daniel Larmie Daniel Larmie 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Ankeny | 2026 State IA of Ankeny is a “see hole, hit hole” type of running back, reminiscent of Iowa junior tailback, Jaziun Patterson. Being an opposing tackler or safety waiting for Larmie to reach you isn’t fun, as he is more than willing to put his head down and drive his weight into would-be tacklers.

Now significantly larger at 5’9″ and 185 pounds according to Bound, Larmie plays larger than his size, and he always looks ready to hit somebody with the ball in his hands. He can grow in terms of his agility and shiftiness as a runner, as well as developing his breakaway speed, but Larmie has the tools to grow in both respects.

On 186 carries last season, Larmie took the ball for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. He holds an offer from NAIA Grandview, who would be getting a steal. He’s also received interest from Western Illinois, South Dakota State, Lindenwood, Minnesota and others.

Larmie impressed me when I scouted the Hawks while they were. competing at Iowa City Liberty in 2024. They actually made the trip to North Liberty twice last year. Larmie stands out for his acumen as a ball carrier, patiently allowing blocks to set up, surveying the situation before selecting the opening to zip through. Larmie combines quickness, elusiveness and powerful legs to beat defenders by any means necessary. He shows off his breakaway speed during the first clip of his junior highlight video. I watched him break plenty of arm tackles against Liberty. As a junior, Larmie rushed for 1,208 yards (6.5 YPC) and 11 touchdowns. His 11 receptions gave the opposition another thing to think about.