How They Rate,

Ranking the top running backs in the Southland:

CITY SECTION

1 Marcus O’Keith, Harbor City Narbonne, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Big-play performer with great speed

2. Travonne Jackson, Jefferson, 5-11, 180, Sr., Top 200-meter runner can break tackles

3. A.J. Tuitele, Wilmington Banning, 6-0, 190, Jr., Rushed for more than 1,400 yards

4. Joe Shumpert, Chatsworth, 5-9, 170, Sr., Came on strong at end of last season

5. Kevin McCleary, Van Nuys Birmingham, 5-8, 165, Sr., Will miss first three games because of suspension

6. Stanley Robinson, Franklin, 5-10, 175, Sr., Rushed for 1,500 yards as junior

7. Justin Tryon, Woodland Hills Taft, 5-10, 170, Sr., Has speed to break off long runs

8. Jazen Anderson, Woodland Hills El Camino Real, 6-0, 205, Sr., Brother of Falcons tailback is ready to produce

SOUTHERN SECTION

1. Lorenzo Booker, Ventura St. Bonaventure, 5-11, 175, Sr., Will threaten national single-season rushing record

2. Hershel Dennis, Long Beach Poly, 5-10 ,190 ,Sr., Has the best line to run behind

3. Robbie Dubois, Mission Viejo, 5-10, 195, Sr., Scored 28 touchdowns as a junior

4. Frederick Collins, La Quinta, 6-0, 185, Sr., Averaged better than 10 yards per carry

5. Jermaine Simon, Inglewood, 5-9, 190, Sr., Rushed for more than 2,000 yards

6. Keith Harris, Covina Charter Oak, 6-1, 185, Sr., Player-of-the-year candidate

7. Tim Gregory, Newhall Hart, 5-11, 180, Sr., If he’s healthy, he’ll run wild

8. Rafael Rice, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 5-11, 190, Jr., Loyola transfer has lots of talent

9. Glenn Ohaeri, San Bernardino Aquinas, 5-10, 200, Sr., Rushed for more than 2,500 yards

10. Jonathan Contos, Westlake Village Westlake, 5-9, 175, Sr., He’s as fast as they come for 40 yards

11. Michael Okwo, Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, 6-0, 200, Jr., Carried the ball 46 times in playoff victory

12. Jason Leggett, ,Lakewood ,5-9 , 165 ,Jr., Millikan transfer is highly regarded

13. Tristan Walker, Claremont, 6-1, 215, Sr., Heavily recruited by Division I colleges

14. Donnie McClesky, La Puente Bishop Amat, 5-10, 185, Sr., Power runner who breaks tackles

15. Derrick Williams, Bellflower St. John Bosco, 6-0, 180, Jr., Has tremendous speed

16. Loren Wade, Gardena Serra, 6-1, 215, Sr., It hurts to tackle him

17. Curtis Brown, Lancaster Paraclete, 6-0, 190, Sr., Has gained 4,372 yards last two seasons

18. Adam Hayward, Huntington Beach Marina, 6-0, 195, Sr., Committed to Colorado State

19. Charles Burnley, Santa Clarita Valencia, 6-0, 175, Jr., Capable of becoming elite tailback

20. Aaron Ware, Westlake Village Oaks Christian, 5-11, 180, Fr., Brother of UCLA’s Ware is no ordinary freshman

*

Compiled by Eric Sondheimer