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Ranking the top 10 running backs in Orange County going into the 2025 high school football season:
TOP 10 RUNNING BACKS
1. Sean Morris II, Orange Lutheran, Sr.
The transfer from Loyola arrives with a vault of highlights and prolific statistics. Morris, who is committed to Northwestern, rushed for 1,762 yards and 16 touchdowns last season in the Cubs’ run to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals. Morris (5-10, 205) possesses breakaway speed and strong receiving skills.
2. Justin Lewis, Mater Dei, Sr.
The versatile Lewis (5-11, 195) is coming off an impressive season at Division 4 Thousand Oaks. He rushed for 1,306 yards and 15 TDs, and added 24 receptions for 324 yards.
Will Lewis replicate those numbers with the Monarchs? Mater Dei also features transfer running back Malachi Roby from Centennial.
“I run with at least two or three running backs,” said Mater Dei coach Raul Lara, who also returns Kennie Leggett. “I like to keep them fresh.”
3. Skylar Lendsey, Western, Sr.
The UNLV commit returns to Orange County after transferring from Warren. Lendsey (5-10, 200), who played his first two seasons at Santa Margarita, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Western coach Dan Davidson has been impressed with Lendsey’s physicality.
4. Lenny Ibarra, Los Alamitos, Sr.
Ibarra (5-10, 185), who is committed to Army, knows how to spark the Griffins’ offense. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season en route to 886 yards and 13 TDs. Ibarra added 15 catches for 275 yards (18.3 yards per catch) and one score.
5. Elijah Ayala, San Juan Hills, Sr.
Ayala (5-11, 194) helps the Stallions play physical by running hard between the tackles. He rushed for almost 900 yards and 10 TDs last season. “He’s a stud,” San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said.
6. Ethan Mundt, Troy, Sr.
The reigning Iota League offensive MVP averaged 8.2 yards per carry last season in piling up 1,502 yards and 18 TDs. Mundt (5-10, 205) shows his strength in breaking tackles and playing linebacker.
“He’s increased his speed tremendously and his football knowledge is off the charts,” Troy coach Michael Echaves said.
7. Makya Chee, El Toro, Sr.
Chee’s emergence last season coincided with the arrival of coach Peter Lofthouse at El Toro. Chee (5-9, 200) averaged 10.3 yards on only 119 carries to finish with 1,228 yards and 15 TDs.
“Makya is the best high school running back I’ve ever coach,” Lofthouse said.
8. Radley Geiss, Dana Hills, Sr.
Geiss burst onto the scene last season by rushing for 1,419 yards and 17 TDs to help the Dolphins reach the Division 6 semifinals. At 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, the All-CIF back showed his strength by tallying 247 carries. In the weight room, Geiss power cleans 295 pounds.
9. Kevika Martinez, La Habra, Jr.
Martinez (6-0, 200) rushed for 1,021 yards and 15 TDs last season on his way to first-team All-Epsilon League honors. Like Troy’s Ethan Mundt, Martinez also is a valuable contributor at linebacker.
10. Malachi Roby, Mater Dei, Sr.
Roby (6-0, 200) flashed his potential last season by rushing for 206 yards and two scores in a victory against Mission Viejo in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs. His experience playing against top teams makes him an intriguing back.