David Tann wasn't sure what to expect when he left Fort Dodge St. Edmond High School two years ago and joined the Cedar Rapids Washington football program.

"The jump from 1A to 4A was a pretty big jump," he said Tuesday.

As it turned out, it wasn't too big at all.

Tann established himself as a premier defensive back for the Warriors last season, and this year he's emerged as one of the top ballcarriers in the Metro area as well.

Tann has rushed for 207 yards on 20 carries, a healthy average of 103.5 yards per game and 10.3 per try. He's second in the Metro in rushing behind Xavier tailback Carter Valentine, who's collected 312 yards in two games.

Two things are unusual about Tann's success as a runner. First of all, he's a fullback, not a tailback. And secondly, he didn't play a single down on offense for the Warriors last year. Not a lick.

Coach Tony Lombardi took a different approach on offense this year, looking for more balance in his attack. Tann gladly answered the call.

"We had some spots to fill and Coach just pulled me over and said that I'm playing fullback and some slot this year," he explained. "I'm happy that he's giving me a chance to run the ball."

Will Griffin was supposed to be Washington's top ballcarrier this year, but Griffin hurt his ankle in training camp and needed surgery before the season began. He's dumped his walking boot, but is still several weeks away from playing.

Mitch Bredeson has emerged as Washington's top tailback and has done a good job with 172 yards on 29 carries, but Tann is the leading rusher on the club.

"I'm a little bit surprised," Lombardi said. "I mean, he's averaging 10 yards a carry."

Lombardi is surprised, but not stunned. He said Tann is a hard worker, mentally tough and has great balance. "He's hard to tackle," Lombardi said. "I knew he had some skills over there."

Tann carried the ball a few times for Fort Dodge St. Edmond when he played for the varsity as a sophomore, but nothing like he's carrying the ball now for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Tann continues to excel on defense. He switched from safety to linebacker in the season opener against Prairie, but returned to safety when the Warriors (2-0) beat Jefferson last Friday night.

Tann was all smiles when Lombardi asked him to become a two-way player this season as a senior and team captain.

"I love it," he said. "I don't want to come off the field. I want to stay on the field as much as I can."

Tann lived with his mother and stepfather in Fort Dodge, then moved to Cedar Rapids to live with his father after his sophomore year at St. Edmond. His father, Kevin Tann, was an outstanding football player and wrestler at Washington in the 1980s.

Tann said he had mixed emotions about the move from Fort Dodge to Cedar Rapids.

"I was happy to be with my dad and my grandpa (Jerry Tann)," he said. "And all these guys (teammates) have been great. When I moved here they accepted me right away and I have great friends here.

"But it was hard," he added. "I have lifelong friends in Fort Dodge and my family - my mom, my grandparents, my stepdad, my sister - they've always been great to me. It's hard not seeing them. I only see them once a week now."

Many of his family members from Fort Dodge come to his football games and visit with him on Friday nights. Next year, they might get to see him play at a higher level.

Tann is being recruited and undoubtedly will get a chance to play football in college next year. He's 5-foot-10 and a muscular 195 pounds, with 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash.

Iowa State invited him to the Northern Iowa game this past Saturday and he'll return to Ames this week as ISU's guest for the big battle against Iowa. He's also been invited to visit Iowa and has received overtures from Winona State and Upper Iowa.

Tann thinks he can play at the Division I level as a defensive back and is hoping for the best. "I'm just going to see how this year goes and just play it out," he said. "I want to go somewhere where I'm going to play."

Lombardi thinks Tann can succeed at the next level.

"He reminds me a lot of all the guys that Iowa plays, whether it's Greenwood or Sash," Lombardi said. "Those guys they play at safety ... I'm sure everybody looks at them and says, 'How is that guy playing in the Big Ten?' But they're good.

"He's a ballplayer," Lombardi said. "He knows where the football is. What level can he play? It just depends on how he gets evaluated by these college scouts.

"He will find a way to get on the field. He's just one of those guys. If he's on your roster and he comes to practice with the other 90 guys on your team, he will find a way to play."