By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There are many talented running backs across our coverage area that features more than 60 teams. Below are some of the top running backs to watch this season
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other four football watch lists. A player can only appear on one list.
This watchlist can be found in print in the Fall O-Zone Preview Magazine available this week at all southwest Missouri Casey’s General Stores.
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Colton Cramblett, Reeds Spring
Being the fullback in a double wing offense requires a certain amount of toughness, which is exactly why Cramblett rushed for 1,146 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. The bulk of those touches came between the tackles, where his low center of gravity and always churning legs make him nearly impossible to bring down 1-on-1. He was an All-Big 8 pick last year.
Chanse Ford, Pierce City
Ford is a tremendous football player first, that just happens to be a great back. As a junior, he rushed for 1,119 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 120 carries. His 9.3 yards per carry is the highest among returners with at least 100 carries in the Ozarks. Ford also added 51 tackles and 13 tackles for loss defensively. He’ll challenge for Southwest Conference POY on both sides of the ball.
Nathan Glades, Joplin
If he didn’t share a backfield with the Gatorade Player of the Year, everyone would already know his name. However, that still didn’t stop Glades from being an absolute headache for opposing defenses last year (979 yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs). Glades is a complete back. He can run, catch and block. This will be a monster year for the senior, who currently holds multiple D-II offers.
Daylon Kanengieter, Marshfield
He runs like Spike from the movie Little Giants. There is very little finesse to his game, just a lot of trucking, stiff arms and straight-line speed. He rushed for 900 yards and nine touchdowns on just 142 carries. He’s one of the physically strongest backs on this list (530-pound squat max), and he’s running behind an offensive line that returns four starters averaging 285 pounds. No. 44 will have a huge year.
Matthew Schmittling, Springfield Catholic
Schmittling enjoyed one of the area’s top breakout seasons last year, rushing for 1,544 yards and 17 touchdowns on a workman-like 247 carries; the fourth-highest total in the Ozarks. He doesn’t wear down and just gets better with each touch. Richard Rehagen taking over at Catholic could catapult Schmittling into the 2,000-yard club.
Marshall Swadley, Willard
Also known as a standout in track, where COVID probably kept him from a pair of state championships last spring, Swadley is one of the top two-way football players in the Ozarks. The 5-foot-10, 235-pound bowling ball led Willard in rushing yards and tackles last year, despite splitting carries. As the feature back, look for Swadley to see plenty of work this fall.
Devrin Weathers, Webb City
To put it simply, Weathers is one of the most physically gifted players on this list and one of the most talented running backs in the history of the O-Zone era. He’s coming off a junior campaign that saw him rush for 1,386 yards and 19 touchdowns on just 156 carries. He has legitimate 4.4 speed, which is a large reason why the Kansas State commit was the apple of several program’s eyes.
Dakota Wilson, Marionville
When you look at Wilson, he won’t jump off the screen at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds. But, his sophomore year was one of the most impressive in the area, racking up 1,141 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has great vision and quick feet, but Wilson also just runs extremely hard all the time. With two more seasons ahead of him, get used to hearing his name.
Others to Watch
Caden Camden, Salem
Braxton Davis, Cabool
Lane Dunlap, Lockwood
Kelby Gard, Hollister
Isaac Ledbetter, Lebanon
Ethan Pritchard, Ozark
Eric Richardson, Waynesville
Brady Sims, Carl Junction
Jaren Smith, Buffalo
Trey Swearingin, Skyline
