Top LA City Section Running Backs (1-5)

Photo: Axel Koester Daily Breeze

Michael Huntley September 17, 2020 @ 10:03 AM

When people talk about the top high school football in Southern California, they talk about the Southern Section and the San Diego Section. The Los Angeles City Section is often neglected and it’s a shame because there is quality football being played at the top of the Section. Top programs like Narbonne, Birmingham, San Pedro and Crenshaw can hang with a good percentage of Southern Section teams on the field. NFL stars like Nnamdi Asomugha, Dashon Goldson, Malik Jackson, Mitchell Schwartz and Hayes Pullard III played their high school football in the LA City Section. Earlier this week, I highlighted the running backs <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/09/top-la-city-section-running-backs-6-10/">ranked 6-10 in the City Section</a>. Here is a look at the top five running backs in the LA City Section: 5. Tre Samuel, Westchester, Los Angeles, 2021 Samuel is a big play machine who averaged nearly 11 yards per carry last season for Westchester. He rushed for over 1300 yards and had 18 touchdowns as a junior. Westchester runs a lot of 20 personnel (two running backs, zero tight ends) and runs split zone and a lot of power and when Samuel gets into space, he is gone. Samuel also plays behind a fantastic offensive line who opens up holes and running lanes on the outside for him. The split power play Westchester runs with the pulling guard and tackle with Samuel in space is very difficult to defend. He should garner some offers from Division 2 and 3 schools during his senior season. https://twitter.com/TCiniglio/status/1165139790968213504?s=20 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12813881/5dd38fd36655af0c24560234">Hudl link</a> 4. Andre Watkins, Lincoln, Los Angeles, 2022 Watkins was the leading rusher in the LA City Section as a sophomore last season and was All-CIF Division III. He rushed for 1,963 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Tigers last season. Watkins ran for over 100 yards in 10 of the 13 games Lincoln played last season. He also was effective in the passing game, tallying nearly 12 yards per catch with two touchdowns. He returns with fellow playmakers Nathaniel Hidalgo and quarterback Ivan Plancarte so the Lincoln offense is in good shape. There is no highlight film on Hudl for Watkins and zero information on social media about him so it’s impressive that I got this much analysis about him. 3. Deiontae Wilson, Carson, Carson, 2021 To be named All-CIF Open Division while playing on a team that won just one game on the field is very impressive. Wilson managed to do that last season despite playing from behind often against one of the toughest schedules in the state. He is great at finding the little seam on Carson’s power play and is great at cutting back on zone running plays. He is fast in space and is not afraid to lower his shoulder and take a hit. He extends plays and never stops moving his feet. Wilson is not the biggest guy on this list but he has shown his ability to play well against top competition and should get some FCS offers this season. https://twitter.com/WilsonDeiontae/status/1033482003914547200?s=20 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13128169/5d9b74d67bddc6088c5bd09a">Hudl link</a> 2. Felix Rodriguez, San Fernando, San Fernando, 2021 Rodriguez was Second Team All-CIF Open Division last year and put up some impressive numbers for San Fernando. He was the team’s second leading rusher but averaged nearly 9 yards per carry and had seven touchdowns. Rodriguez is built at 5-foot-10 and 185-pounds and has exceptional speed. If the outside linebacker or defensive end loses the outside-contain, he will bounce the run outside and outrun safeties. He is always one of, if not the best athlete on the field when he plays. San Fernando is one of the top programs in the City Section and he figures to be a focal point in the offense this season, which should garner him some recruiting buzz. https://twitter.com/CCTigers93/status/1169105174909964290?s=20 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11376317/Felix-Rodriguez">Hudl link</a> 1. [player_tooltip player_id="25285" first="Jakob" last="Galloway"], Banning, Wilmington, 2022 Galloway is the only running back in the City Section who is drawing serious recruiting attention. He rushed for 264 yards on 23 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns to help Banning to a 35-21 win over Crenshaw in the CIF L.A. City Section Open Division semifinals, Banning's first appearance in a championship game since 2000. Galloway breaks tackles better than any runner in the City Section and is fast enough to use on sweeps and bubble screens. He was named All-CIF and All-Area by the Daily Breeze. Galloway has offers from Fresno State, Kansas State, Nevada and Utah and will earn many more after his junior year. https://twitter.com/DamianCalhoun/status/1195572646714335232?s=20 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11200232/Jakob-Galloway">Hudl link</a>