Are you ready for some football? We sure are, especially because it means that we get to start looking at the top 2023 running backs in Texas High School football. This is always one of our favorite things to do each season, and there are some new names on the list this year that you’re going to want to watch out for. Some of these players are nationally ranked, while others could easily make a name for themselves this season. Keep reading to see who made our list!
Top 20
#20.Carson Green (23) | 5’9, 180 | RB | Reagan
Due to an injury, he didn’t see much of last season but don’t sleep on this player. One of the most explosive, twitchy, shifty runners I’ve ever seen. Carson has fantastic balance and lateral speed and is one of the most underrated players in Central Texas.
#19.Jaylen Jenkins (23) | 5’9, 175 | RB | Cedar Hill
Jaylen has four division I offers to schools like Arizona, Marshall and Toledo. He is a one cut back who can make a few moves and then be off to the races. Like this guy running or catching out of the backfield and think his stock will rise this season.
#18.TJ Andrews (23) | 6’1 , 195 |RB | Taft
Andrews is a punishing running back with outstanding size and speed. Has the ability to run people over while also having the capacity to create separation. With his huge size and speed, TJ is a powerful runner who becomes deadly with the ball in his hands.
#17.Dejuan Lacy (23) | 5’10, 175 | RB | North Crowley
Holds 7 division I offers to Toledo and the University of Utah. On 182 carries he had 1135 yards rushing and was first-team all-district. Raw running back with speed and open-field moves.
#16.Owen Allen (23) | 5’10, 190 | RB | Southlake Carroll
One of the most under-the-radar types of running backs in Texas is Owen Allen. Owen has the elite talent to be a game-changing player, as well as speed and the ability to string moves together at the second level. He displays good lateral quickness and can put together some spectacular open-field runs. Expect him to steal headlines and attention for Southlake Carroll this fall.
#15.Ezell Jolly (23) | 6’0, 175 | RB | Ridge Point
The Houston area has a wealth of excellent running backs, including one that Ridge Point’s own Ezell Jolly. With his recruiting seeing an increase this spring and summer, Jolly is quickly becoming one of the top running backs in the region. He has the speed, explosiveness, and patience to be a deadly runner at any time he gets his hands on the ball.
#14.Iverson young (23) | 5’10, 190 | RB | Waxahachie
Wow, when we watched Iverson’s tape, we were delighted to discover that he could easily be in the top ten. An extremely gifted player with the ability to make big plays look routine, he might very well be in the top 10. Over 13 division I offers have been accepted. Young has fast break speed to run away from everyone for a long way down the field. His 40-yard dash time of 4.57 seconds according on 247sports but the proof is on the field. This young man has had an incredible career so far rushing for over 2,000 yards and accumulating 19 touchdowns in only two seasons as a starter.
#13.Re’Shaun Sanford (23) | 5’9, 170 | RB | Harker Heights
ReShaun is a force with the ball in his hands. A well-rounded runner who can pick up some tough yards and points. Previously held five-division I scholarships when we first ranked in January, with offers increasing by nearly tripling for Sanford since he originally received his first five-division I offer’s from schools like ULM, UNT, and SMU.
#12.Seth Davis (23) | 5’8 , 170 | RB | Katy
Davis is a fast and athletic runner on this list. He’s a little undersized, but that doesn’t matter when the defense can’t touch him whenever he has the football. Solid runner who can make cuts, change direction, and has forward speed; just picked up some scholarships from Ole Miss and Florida recently.
#11.A’Marion Peterson (23) | 6’0, 200 | RB | Hirschi
Peterson is the most productive and fastest-paced runners on the list, capable of making huge plays whenever he gets his hands on the ball. Peterson should be a dominant figure next season, elevating his profile even higher. Peterson has eight Division I recruiting offers currently open.
Top 10
#10.Kyson Brown (23) | 5’11, 190 | RB | Lancaster
Kyson doesn’t need any stars or rankings to be successful, because he’s a great football player. Kyson is a long stride runner with a lean, athletic build and the ability to plow people over. He can turn some negative-looking plays into six points, and he has good balance and strength when running the football. Since our last ranking, Kyson has only held offers to two schools in total; since then, he’s added 21 offers from top programs across the country, including Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and SMU to mention a few.
#9.Cameron Cook (23) | 5’10, 180 | RB | Stoney Point
Cook is another athlete who debuted this year and established his reputation. He’s a flexible player capable of playing a number of different positions in the slot, including wildcat and even on special teams. A fantastic player with a bright future.
#8.Tre Wisner (23) | 5’11, 180 | RB | Connally
Trey has a lot of potential as a receiver, but he’s also very capable in the run game. He can be utilized all over the field because he is an athletic talent. Has the speed to be a deadly threat out on the ground or catching passes, and can also be used as a receiver and make plays. Elite runner with exceptional athleticism that
#7.Kedrick Reescano (23) | 6’0, 190 | RB | New Caney
Kedrick is your all-purpose running back who can do it all. One that you may feed the rock to throughout the game and catch out of the backfield. He holds offers from a number of division 1 schools, but is committed to Michigan State. One that’s just as good as any of the top guys about to be mentioned regardless of rankings.
#6.Quinten Joyner (23) | 5’10, 190 | RB | Manor
When Joyner gets his hands on the ball, he has the ability to take it all the way to the house for six points. He’s firmly committed to USC and will be a standout in this fall as well as at the next level to watch. A 4-star athlete with several D-I offers, including Marshall, Rice, and Pitt. In his two years on campus as a starter, he’s rushed for over 3,100 yards and scored 36 touchdowns. Last season saw him amass 2,494 of his career rushing yards . Has surpassed the 3,000 rushing yards mark in his careers last season with 36 touchdowns in his two years as a starter.
#5.Sergio Snider (23) | 5’10, 185 | RB | Martin
From a pure physical standpoint, there isn’t many who compare to this guy. Sergio is your complete athlete, with his size, speed, and athleticism on display all over the place. On special teams or offense rushing from end zone to endzone easily; Snider is a beast on the field, and it shows in his film. He will be exciting to watch this season and the at the next level.
#4.Kalib Hicks (23) | 5’11, 195 | RB | Denton Ryan
Hicks has the quickness, balance, and vision to be one of the best running backs in his class. He demonstrates admirable patience waiting for gaps to develop, and he can get around the edge before being untouched into the end zone. To mention a few, he holds 24 division I scholarship offers from schools like Oklahoma, Alabama, and Penn State.
#3.Marquise Collins (23) | 5’9, 180 | RB | College Station
In 2021, Collins burst onto the scene and has been stealing attention ever since. With his breathtaking speed, all it takes is one hole for Collins to run through, and he’s off like an Olympic track star. As a junior, Collins was named Co-MVP of Texas District 8-5A-I as well as helping College Station to a 15-1 record and a Class 5A-I state title game appearance. Last time we evaluated him earlier this year, Collins only had 13 Division I offers; that number has now nearly tripled to 31 total offers from schools such as USC, Baylor, Texas Tech and others.
#2.Parker Jenkins (23) | 5’10, 185 | RB | Klein Forest
The Jenkins recruiting rush has gained serious momentum and ascended to new heights. When Jenkins had a few scholarships (5), we regarded him highly on our boards last time we ranked, and he earned our top ranking. Now Has 38 Division I scholarship offers. Jenkins is a well-balanced running back with the speed and power to be fluid and aggressive as a runner. He will pile cuts on the same play, displaying some dangerous cutback ability. Experts believe that LSU’s new coaching staff under head coach Brian Kelly has an excellent chance of Jenkins committing.
#1. Rueben Owens (23) | 5’11,190 | RB | El Campo
The new Lousiville commit leaves no doubt that he is one of the best running backs in the nation, regardless of classification. With quickness to miss defenders in the trenches or out in space,Owens shows excellent short-area suddenness. When redirecting, he doesn’t need much gear down. Combines exceptional burst and acceleration with outstanding contact balance at the point of contact and can explode out of a open hole on the LOS. A tough, physical runner with good vision and feel. An outstanding open-field runner who is a consistent threat to take it the distance. Just looking at Rueben’s highlights will get your blood pumping, as he runs with speed, power, and determination that is unmatched. Projects to have immediate success at the next level with long-term NFL Draft early-round potential.
