One of the more naturally patient runners one will watch in the state of Iowa, Lewis Daye Jr Lewis Daye Jr 5'11" | 205 lbs | ATH/RB Pcm | 2028 State IA brings a Bennett Stirtz-like approach to the way he runs the football. He won’t get sped up and forced to make a bad decision. He disects the defense, how the offensive line is operating, and then makes the opposing team pay with a flash of burst through the offensive line or around would-be tacklers.

Explosive in-and-out of cuts with breakaway speed in the open field, Daye Jr is a slippery runner that, at times, can make the play nearly appear dead before he takes off and scampers for a score. A game-changing prospect that can flip the momentum in favor of PCM at any given moment, Daye Jr is a running back anybody and everybody in the state would love to have on their roster — and Division I programs should take notice.

He finished his junior campaign with 175 carries for 1,097 yards and 12 scores.

Daye Jr. has been on our radar for awhile, but we last wrote an evaluation on the PCM sophomore way back in April of his freshman school year. Thankfully, his ultra-productive 2025 season is captured within his 10th-grade highlight video. Daye Jr. rolled up 1,097 yards (6.3 YPC) and 12 touchdowns rushing, added a two-point conversion and catching a pair of passes for 26 yards. The Mustangs reached the Class 2A quarterfinals in a nine-win campaign. Daye Jr. gets to the holes quickly and picks up steam as he advances. He’s fast in a straight line and gets to the edge in a hurry. Daye Jr. can pick his way between the tackles and run with power inside. Believe or not, his frame has room to add strength, giving him upside carrying the rock with the attributes to move off of the position if a college saw that move being beneficial to he and the program.

Daye is an intriguing prospect on both sides of the ball. When watching his freshman highlight video, we see him locking down opponents at cornerback. He consistently positions himself well and gets a good read on the quarterback. He tracks the ball in the air, breaking on it when it’s time. Daye is smooth in his back pedal and flips his hips quickly in changing directions. He shows physicality against the run, sticking his nose on the ball and wrapping up when dropping opponents.