Editors note: This is the second in the eight-part “YPS Top 40” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 40 of the top returning football players for the 2024 season. 

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 40 is an eight-story series highlight 40 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area by position group.

The series began on Monday with a look at the top returning quarterbacks in the Your Prep Sports area.

Now the shift is to running back as Your Prep Sports looks at some of the best returning ball carriers in the area.

In the next few days six other position groups – receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back and special teams – will all be featured.

Here is a look at four of the top returning running backs in the area.

Sutton Koller

Senior, Liberty High

A true all-purpose back, Koller has a unique skill set that makes him a threat anywhere he lines up on the field.

As dangerous as a pass catcher as he is as a runner, Koller accounted for 1,146 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns last season while averaging 8.7 yards per touch of the football.

Just how versatile and dangerous was Koller last season?

He had a 100-yard rushing performance, cracked 100 yards receiving four times and had a game with four rushing touchdowns and another game with four receiving touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Koller averaged 4.5 yards per carry and ranked second on the team with 330 rushing yards while leading the Lightning with seven rushing touchdowns.

Koller was at his best as a receiver out of the backfield ranking second on the team with 59 receptions for a team-high 816 yards and eight touchdowns.

The combination of Koller and teammate Owen Drapeaux gives Liberty High a potent backfield combination with two completely different styles of backs.

Look for the Lightning to continue to find ways for Koller to wreak havoc on opposing defenses with his unique skill set.

Butali Butali

Senior, West High

If you are looking for a breakthrough candidate among returning running backs Butali could be that guy after a strong finish to his junior season.

Butali averaged better than 67 rushing yards per game over the final five games last season and finished with a team-high 429 rushing yards while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Butali is more speed than power but showed an ability to run between the tackles last season along with impressive change of direction.

Butali rushed for 73 yards in a week five loss at Ankeny and had his breakthrough performance in a win over Cedar Rapids Washington running for 211 yards and a touchdown.

In addition to leading the Trojans in rushing Butali also caught four passes for 48 yards and has the skill set to be a factor as a pass catcher.

With a season of varsity action behind him and a new-look but bulked up offensive line in front of him look for a big season from Butali this fall.

Owen Drapeaux

Senior, Liberty High

The thunder to Koller’s lightning in the Liberty High backfield Drapeaux provides the punch in the Liberty High backfield duo with his powerful downhill running.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Drapeaux has shown a solid combination of speed and power while rushing for 854 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Drapeaux handled more of the traditional running back duties last season while splitting time with Koller and produced at a high level leading the Lightning in rushing yards while averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

A tough runner inside the tackles Drapeaux rushed for 517 yards and five touchdowns last season and also caught 11 passes for 103 yards.

Both Koller and Drapeaux possess different skill sets which make them a natural combination and together gives the Lightning one of the best running back combos in Class 5A.

Eddie Johnson

Senior, Solon

If there was a category on this list that just said ‘Football Player’ that may be the section that would best fit Johnson.

Solon coach Lucas Stanton described the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Johnson as the most diverse player on the Spartan roster after watching Johnson line up all over the field on both sides of the ball last season.

A two-way starter that played running back and defensive end, Johnson played a pivotal role on both sides of the ball last season helping Solon to a 10-2 record and a spot in the 3A semifinals.

A physical force on both sides of the ball, Johnson had 18 tackles including 7.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks from his defensive end spot.

He was just as impressive on offense rushing for 378 yards and six touchdowns and averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

After playing a large role as a lead blocker while line up as a hybrid or H-back player last season look for Johnson to take on a bigger role as a ball carrier for Solon this season as the Spartans must replace players that accounted for 78 percent of their rushing yards last season.

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