WA Top Rushers
In this article:
Breaking down the state’s leading rushers during the 2021 season.
Dylan Carson Dylan Carson 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Marysville-Pilchuck | 2022 State WA , 2022, Marysville-Pilchuck
Carson was among the nation’s best and led the state in both rushing and touchdowns this season with 2,567 yards and 46 touchdowns. He’s a downhill back with great balance, strength, and leg drive at the POA to break tackles and run through contact. Flashes good burst and acceleration through the LOS and a strong sustained second gear. He continually proved he can pound the ball between the tackles or turn the corner and beat defenders to the outside with speed and precision. He’s strong and explosive at 6’0” 195 lbs. and deserves more recruiting attention.
https://twitter.com/DylanJ_Carson/status/1455624126693994498?s=20
Takari Hickle Takari Hickle 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Tenino | 2022 State WA , 2022, Tenino
The Oregon State commit will play on the defensive side at the college level but took advantage of his versatility and athleticism at RB rushing for 2,091 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season. Possesses a rare physical skillset with his combination of size (6’4” 240 lbs.), length (7 foot wingspan), and speed. Shows great natural movement skills and reactionary quickness with the ball in his hands to break tackles and make defenders miss in the open field. Also picked up an offer from Nevada before ultimately committing to Oregon State and possesses an extremely high ceiling at the major D1 level.
Caleb Smith, 2022, Goldendale
Smith rushed for 1,859 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. He’s a smooth athlete with good field vision and instincts as a ball carrier. He anticipates and reads his blocks well to hit open running lanes with good timing and acceleration through the gap. He weaves through the defense with good pad level and leverage to avoid tacklers and be elusive in the open field. Love his ball security and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Scored at least one touchdown in every game this season and led Goldendale to a 9-2 record.
Miguel Farias, 2023, River View
The junior is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for River View. At RB, he took 231 carries for 1,830 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging almost 8 yards per carry. On defense, he racked up 98 tackles from the MLB position. He’s strong and powerful on both sides of the ball and shows a good ability to make one cut and get vertical as a ball carrier. Does a good job making defenders over pursue with quick lateral cuts and the vision to see the cut back lane. Good ball security, carries it high and tight and protects it upon contact. He’s a workhorse that is tough and durable.
Jake Schuh, 2022, Anacortes
Schuh broke several records at Anacortes this season on his way to 1,717 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. At 6’0” 200 lbs. he’s a tough, physical, and bruising back with plus athleticism. Runs with great leverage and a low center of gravity to absorb contact and break tackles both at the LOS and in space. Good natural instincts and awareness as a ball carrier understanding when to make a move, when to deliver contact, and when to use a stiff arm to maintain forward momentum. Flashes a strong burst out of his stance and the long speed to break plays open past the second level. A three year captain that led his team to a 9-1 record and recently picked up his first offer from Bethany College.
1270 SAT, 3.83 GPA. 1,968 All Purp. yds. 22 TD Jake Schuh Senior Tape: https://t.co/eGw9YTdW23 @CoachPortz @CoachTA64 @NickFarman55 @gnduff @Coach_Leighton @CoachTinkFB @JacobZier @CoachKikel @CampWNMU @BrandonHuffman @RylandSpencer
— Jacob Schuh (@JacobSchuh1) November 24, 2021
Rico Jerez-Sosa, 2023, Evergreen
In just eight games this season, he was one of the state’s leading rushers with 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns on 179 carries. He’s a quick and explosive back with a strong and sustainable burst. He’s elusive and shifty in the open field making defenders miss using his lateral agility and start/stop speed. Not the biggest RB at 5’5” 150 lbs. but proved to be tough and durable with the ability to withstand hits and maintain his aggressiveness as a ball carrier. He’s creative with the ball in his hands showing good vision and balance to see angles and attack them without hesitation. Recently voted First Team All-League RB and will look to build on it as a senior.
https://twitter.com/_RicoJerezSosa/status/1458948436246495234?s=20
Justice Taylor Justice Taylor 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Lakewood | 2022 State WA , 2022, Lakewood
The only QB on the list, Taylor is a fluid dual-threat athlete that rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns. This included a record breaking performance in week 10 when he rushed for 377 yards and 7 touchdowns in addition to his 215 yards passing and 4 more TD’s. Exceptional athleticism and effectiveness running the RPO. He’s a natural to the game using his high football IQ and instincts to be a playmaker no matter what position he is playing. He runs well with good burst and acceleration out of his cuts and shows he can split defenders by changing gears. He’s one of the more underrecruited 2022 prospects in the state given his versatility and wide skillset to be an impact player on both sides of the ball.
Ryder Bumgarner Ryder Bumgarner 5'9" | 185 lbs | ATH Stanwood | 2023 State WA , 2023, Stanwood
Bumgarner is a dynamic and versatile athlete that can be a game breaker at any position. This season he ran for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns on 147 carries. He’s a savvy and smooth athlete with outstanding balance and body control as a ball carrier. Great fluidity in his stride and his cuts, flashing explosive start/stop quickness and short area burst out of his breaks. He’s an instinctual runner with good anticipation to read his blocks and allow the play to develop creating open running lanes. He’s an exciting player to watch carry the ball with his ability to break tackles and cut around defenders. He’s one of the most versatile players in the state and is a big time sleeper in the 2023 class.
Please take a moment to take a look and retweet my Junior Season Highlights! @BrandonHuffman @RylandSpencer @HeraldNetPreps @coachjmonte @michaelbumpus5 @PrepRedzoneWA @CoachCameron_ https://t.co/7TcO6QSBNt
— Ryder Bumgarner (@ryder_bumgarner) November 18, 2021
Jose Torres, 2023, Toppenish
The Toppenish back rushed for 1,228 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. He’s a quick and explosive all purpose back that is light on his feet and can weave through the defense. He shows great patience at the LOS as the play develops and does a good job manipulating and cutting off his blocks. Flashes good awareness and the acceleration to run away from defenders and avoid contact. Keeps his feet moving at the POA and showed he can break tackles despite his smaller frame at 5’5” 165 lbs. Helped Toppenish go undefeated through the regular season.
Jeremy Sawyer Jeremy Sawyer 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Aberdeen | 2023 State WA , 2023, Aberdeen
Sawyer is one of the top underclassmen RB’s in the state and helped lead Aberdeen to their best season in 25 years rushing for 1,226 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. Strong and well-balanced frame at 5’11” 180 lbs. with savvy athleticism. He’s a downhill power back that is tough to tackle and wears defenses down with his physicality. Does a great job running through first contact and maintaining his leg drive to break tackles. He’s a patient runner that allows the play to develop but decisive when he finds an open lane and attacks it. He’ll be exciting to watch as a senior when he’ll be one of the top rushers again.
https://twitter.com/TheJet_20/status/1461489773105717250?s=20
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