Rivals Rankings Week: Updated 2022 RB rankings

Rivals continues to roll out its updated rankings for the 2022 class and our focus turns to the running back position. Below is a brief overview of the biggest storylines coming out of the rankings meetings as we head into the holidays.

2022 rankings: Running backs | All-purpose backs

RIVALS RANKINGS WEEK SCHEDULE:

Monday: Five-Star Countdown

Tuesday: New Rivals250 | Big movers | Where five-stars stand | Five-star watch

Wednesday: Offensive position rankings released

Thursday: Defensive position rankings released

Friday: State rankings released

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series

*****

All of the top running backs and all-purpose backs in the 2022 class remain uncommitted, so there is an abundance of teams still involved with all of them but a few definitely stand out early on.

Auburn and Alabama are battling it out for the third-best running back in the class, Emmanuel Henderson from Hartford (Ala.) Geneva County, and the Crimson Tide could be considered one of the frontrunners for Raleek Brown from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei along with some others.

Texas is the school to watch for Houston (Texsa) Klein Cain standout Jaydon Blue, although LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia and others are standing out as well. And then LSU has a real shot as well with Jennings, La., standout Trevor Etienne, who obviously has a real connection to Clemson, too, since his brother, Travis, is a star there.

*****

One of the top running backs in the 2022 class, Blue has an interesting recruitment ahead of him for many reasons.

The Houston Klein Cain standout could have Texas at the top of his list but Blue will also have to closely watch how that coaching situation plays out in the coming weeks. Coach Tom Herman is on the hot seat and there is no telling what is next in Austin after Urban Meyer reportedly passed.

Oklahoma is a real possibility and his style fits the Sooners’ offense well. LSU and Georgia are also heavily pursuing Blue as both of those programs have shown tremendous reach to go out and get any top prospect they want.

Texas has an edge, but there is a long way to go in Blue’s recruitment.

There is going to be a lot of interesting debates when it comes to the 2022 running back class because there are big backs, power backs, small and shifty backs and at the top are two from the West region who are dynamic and fun to watch.

Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian’s Gavin Sawchuk has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in just seven games, putting up dominant performances and making a name for himself where Christian McCaffrey also starred.

And then there is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s Raleek Brown, one of the most dynamic and entertaining all-purpose backs in recent memory. From a physical standpoint, Brown is not five-star material, but with the ball in his hands he has make-you-miss ability like few others, he makes tough catches look easy and he’s a phenomenal athlete.

Both Sawchuk and Brown have proven themselves at a high level and so the debate will rage if either of those two - or maybe someone else high in the rankings - ends up being the top running back in the class.