It’s difficult re-ranking the top running backs in Texas’ class of 2024. This group is extremely strong, and narrowing it down to ten was tough because there are so many excellent players vying for a position on this list. However, we feel that these are the greatest of the best, and they should be closely watched this season.
We really value your input and found players we should know about thanks to you. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any comments on the re-rankings. This is a very competitive and talented list of running backs in Texas in the 2024 class.
Top 20
#20.John Raybuck (24) | 6’1 195 | RB | Grapevine Christian School
From the backfield, John Roebuck is a big, fast and powerful running back. He can burst through the line of scrimmage and run over a few people on his way to the end zone. A very vestal player who can play both offense and defense at an FBS level. He should receive several DI bids.
#19.Keshun Thomas (24)| 5’9 180 | RB | A&M Consolidated
Thomas is an intriguing player to keep an eye on because he is so adaptable on the field and makes a significant impact due of his speed and athleticism. Shows some nice cutback moves, has enough speed to create 5-10 yards of separation between himself and defenders on runs, but must show a little more consistency in converting positive yardage into six points rather than simply first downs. Last year, he rushed for 1,100 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
#18.Quinton Jones (24) | 5’11” 190 | RB | Jersey Village
Jones has the speed and agility to be a great running back, but he just needs more balance and lateral quickness to reach his full potential. Shows ability to break away from defenders and score out of the backfield on occasion. Development might have this player racing onto a lot of recruiting radars.
#17.Trey Taylor (24) | 5’10 170 | RB | A&M Consolidated
Trey has world-class speed and can outrun everyone on the way to the end zone. A versatile running back who can catch out of the backfield, make one cut, and be off to the races. FBS-level running back with a lot of potential for success.
#16.Jordan Reaves (24) | 6’0 200 | RB | Lamar
He’s an athlete that is extremely versatile on the field and can put a hurting on defenses as a special teamer or offensive player. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, explosive out of the backfield, and has nice open-field moves and speed. Reaves has a long, athletic build with long arms and huge stature. FBS caliber prospect in Reaves.
#15.Michael Wilson (24) | 5’10 175 | RB | Klein Collins
With speed, balance, and lateral quickness, Wilson has long arms that can stiff-arm defenders and miss them in the open field. A high upside FBS prospect.
#14.Trey Roger-Joyner (24) | 5’9 170 | RB | Guyer
Trey is a prospect worth keeping an eye on who has shown interest from schools such as Ole Miss, SMU, Texas and Texas A&M. Looks to be a very athletic running back with outstanding speed. More growth may see him turn into a high-end DI prospect.
#13.Viron Ellison (24)| 6’0, 170 | RB, ATH | Lewisville
Viron is an imposing physical athlete with a muscular, lean athletic form that can break some ankles and run the length of the field. He demonstrates his versatility on the field by being able to play special teams as well as blocking as a sort of a fullback/second running back out of the backfield, which might cause some nasty mismatch nightmares.
#12.Trey Morris (24)| 5’10 185 | RB | Cypress Falls
Trey is a running back who can do a little bit of it all, shows he can catch out of the backfield and or run in between the tackles or take a run to the outside, doesn’t have the breakaway speed, but can pick up some good chunks of yardage. Morris is a name to remember in the 2024 class.
#11.Jamaal Wiley (24)| 6’1″ 200 | RB | Stafford
Jamaal Wiley is a powerful and tough runner, with an engine that never stops and one who you can feed the rock to all game long and rack up some heavy yardage. His speed, agility, and other components of his game that he may improve on to reach the next level as a prospect and player. FBS caliber prospect with a high upside. Another FBS caliber prospect on this list .
Top 10
#10.Xai’Shaun Edwards(24) | 5’9 175 | RB | Clear Springs
Edwards is a versatalie runner who can operate out of the wildcat and various packages, and he will dominate on the field. He has top-notch speed, balance, and vision, making him potentially elite; however, open-field runs could enhance. Overall, he’s an excellent FBS prospect.
#9.Harry Stewart III (24) | 5’8 180 | RB | Centennial
This is a guy who should be getting some attention. Stewart has the speed and open-field moves to be among the best in the game. He’s also got good size and strength for a back, and he’s not afraid of contact.
#8.Brandon Tullis (24) | 6’0 190 | RB | Memorial
Tullis is a next-level running back with top-notch speed and balance, able to bounce off tackles and spin his way into the end zone. For his height, he has excellent lateral mobility and the ability to elude defenders
#7.Jaylen Boardley (24) | 6’0 190 | RB | Pleasant Grove
Baylor, Houston, SMU, Texas Tech, and UTSA are all schools in Division I. Boardley has shown a great deal of core strength and balance. He is a long-strider runner with the ability to break open field tackles with outstanding core strength and balance. Is there anything more exciting than when he touches the ball? He has great vision and that big playmaking potential any time he gets his hands on the ball.
#6.Nate Palmer (24) | 5’10” 175 | RB | Decatur
It was a College Station Coogs’ two-headed monster in the backfield last year, with Palmer and Collins. Palmer has Olympic track sprinter speed, and he can run up the middle or around the edge and take the ball all the way to the house without being touched. Shows some vicious open-field capabilities that might shatter some ankles; holds 21 Division I offers from schools like Houston, Oklahoma State, USC, among others.
#5.Kewan Lacy (24) | 5’11 190 | RB | Lancaster
Lacy is a fast runner with great balance and one or two cuts, and he’s gone. This guy is off to the races as an FBS-level prospect with a high potential for achievement at the next level.
#4.Taylor Tatum (24) | 6′ 185 | RB | Longview
Taylor is a long stride runner with enough speed to outrun many in the end zone race. He proves to be very versatile, and he may be utilized on special teams, defense, and other positions. Taylor is a FBS prospect with a high ceiling at the next level who can make one move and be off to the races as a running back; he won’t totally wow you with his speed but he has enough to dominate. Prospect with huge potential at the next level.
#3.Derrick McFall (24) | 5’10 175 | RB | Tyler High
Derrick is a high-end back who has uncommon athletic ability, speed, and agility in his race to the end zone, leaving defenders 5-10 yards behind. This is a top running back with a lot of potential at the next level. Derrick boasts 10 division I offers from schools like Arkansas State, Oklahoma State, SMU, and others.
#2.Jeremy Payne (24) | 5’10 170 | RB | Hightower
Payne is an incredible running back with tremendous core strength and the ability to break tackles. He has the gas to outrun the whole defense to the end zone. Payne began receiving offers and interest after a fantastic 2017 season, and he now has five division I scholarships from Baylor, SMU, and UTSA. That number is anticipated to climb considerably in the coming months.
#1.Bryan Jackson (24) | 6’0″ 185 | RB | McKinney
Bryan is a big stock buy for me this year, and he has some exciting potential. He brings tremendous size, speed, and power from between the tackles when running the football, can catch out of the backfield, and has the ability to take runs all of the way into the end zone. From schools like Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State,
