With the football season kicking off in just over a month, it is time to begin looking at some of the top players from each position heading into the season.
In addition to my recruiting rankings, this season I will be doing some positional power rankings, among other fun things to help promote all of the talent we have in our area.
We started off with my Top 10 Quarterbacks, and we continue today at running back.
NOTE: All of these rankings will be updated weekly once the season begins, with the possibility of new names joining the list and names moving up and down.
1. TJ Epperson, Bishop Luers
The leading rusher in the entire area last season was Epperson Jr. It is hard to argue against 1,462 yards and 15 rushing TDs. With many of the Knights’ offensive linemen graduating, it will be interesting to see how he performs this season. He has been busy hitting camps all winter and spring and is ready to follow up his junior campaign with another impressive season as a junior.
2. Brandon Gaither II, North Side
Tape doesn’t lie, and ‘BG’ remains one of the most dangerous backs in the area. Alongside Epperson Jr. at Bishop Luers last season, he compiled 1,228 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in a run-heavy scheme. With a lot of talent surrounding him at North Side, Gaither enters a new era with the Legends and will continue to be a dangerous threat this season.
3. Austin Phillips, East Noble
At the next level, Phillips likely translates as a linebacker, but for a kid who ran the ball a lot last year for the Knights and surpassed 950 rushing yards and 11 TDs with zero fumbles, he was impressive, especially as a freshman. With Rylee Biddle’s graduation, Phillips could be relied upon even more on offense this season.
4. Caleb Kiengele, North Side
Even with Gaither II transferring to North, you can’t just forget the freak athlete that Kiengele is. Some could argue he is the most talented back in the area. The offense was pass-heavy last season with Jaydin Rivers at QB, but this season presents a unique scenario where the Legends have two top running backs. It will be interesting to see how North Side mixes in everyone and utilizes its weaponry. Could we see Kiengele more in the slot this fall? We will have to wait and see, but on paper, Gaither II and Kiengele in the backfield should make this season a lot of fun.
5. Levi Portee, Northrop
After dealing with a banged-up season last year, Portee is hoping for a completely healthy campaign at Northrop. Because of the way the offense was run with David Callison behind center and wideout Jerquaden Guilford, there was a lot of passing in addition to time being split between two other talented running backs. Portee wasn’t able to put together a ton of yardage, but in terms of talent and potential for breakout plays, he is amongst the best in the area. He’s gotten a little bigger and stronger, adding to his elusiveness, so he could be even more dangerous this season.
6. Cooper Craig, Bluffton
If he can limit his fumbles this season (three last year), Cooper Craig should have another impressive fall for the Tigers. He ran for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, which both should be improved upon as long as he is healthy. Coach Brent Kunkel may need to rely on him a little more often this season with teams keying in on Axton Beste at quarterback.
7. Kolyn Campbell, Bishop Dwenger
After winning the state title last season, the Saints will have an entirely new look on offense. While the offensive game plan could change a bit, the Saints will still ground and pound as usual. Last season, Campbell had 500 rushing yards and five touchdowns as the third option at running back behind a pair of seniors. He has been putting in some work this offseason, and as RB1, he will get a ton of opportunities to showcase his improved footwork and agility through the gaps this season for the Saints.
8. Kobe Reese, Northrop
While Portee has more potential for the breakout plays with his speed, Reese possesses that power threat to muscle up some yards for the Bruins. Last season, he led the program in rushing and rushing touchdowns, and with both him and Portee back, we’ve got another dangerous 1-2 punch in the backfield in the SAC.
9. Jackson Rhodes, Carroll
Although Carroll is a pass-heavy program, game film doesn’t lie, and what the tape shows is that Rhodes is an incredibly speedy back that has been putting in some work. There are several highlights of him from last season bursting off the edge for big runs and even a huge rushing TD against Northrop on the road that helped seal the game. Even with the offense throwing for over 3,000 passing yards, Rhodes still ran for nearly 400 yards and a few touchdowns. This season, he will be utilized more, and teams will fall victim to his big-play potential.
10. Noah Dove, Eastside
It’s hard to argue against a young man who ran for over 1,000 yards last season for the Blazers. He also added 14 TDs in what was a breakout sophomore year. He had a phenomenal season that kind of flies under the radar because of the season Job Richman had, but Dove is one of the most dynamic running backs in the area and will likely do much of the same this season.
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