Leading up to the 2025 season, AL.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Alabama.

Our first statewide list focuses on the best running backs in 6A.

We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.

If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email [email protected] or [email protected]. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.

BEST RUNNING BACKS, ALABAMA 6A

Kendrick Able Jr., jr., Theodore

Able’s stellar sophomore season included nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. After a focused offseason, expect even more production from him in 2025. “I’ve been working with my trainer, trying to get my speed up as well as my strength,” Able said. “I’ve been grinding in the weight room, working on our schemes for the season.” He’s caught the attention of several colleges and has offers from Alabama-Birmingham and Troy, among other Division I programs. Able is incredibly strong for a running back — he bench-presses 350 pounds and squats 500. But his most impressive number? His 4.43 GPA.

Will Abrams, jr., St. Paul’s Episcopal

Abrams’ future is as a linebacker in college — he has offers from Georgia Tech, Michigan and Mississippi, among others — but he also plays a key role in the Saints’ offense. He has rushed for more than 500 yards and 10 touchdowns in high school. “My experience on defense helps me identify fronts, slants and things of that nature to understand where the hole will be and what cutback lanes will probably open up,” Abrams said. “It helps you understand how to break down that second-level defender because you are one of those guys.” His linebacker mindset doesn’t change when he’s carrying the ball. “I’m willing to go through whatever or whoever to touch the end zone,” he said.

Isaiah Allen, jr., Decatur

Allen split carries with Devin Haley last season, and the two juniors will team to form a solid Red Raiders rushing attack again in 2025. Allen finished his sophomore campaign with 505 yards on 81 carries. “Great vision and great pass-catcher out of the backfield,” Decatur coach John Ritter said.

Quinteris Anderson, sr., Baldwin County

After an all-region season at safety, Anderson will be the Tigers’ lead ball-carrier in 2025. He’s ready. “Q has completely embraced the weight room this offseason and has gotten bigger, stronger and faster,” Baldwin County senior quarterback Hayden Coley said. “Q is a great teammate to share the backfield with because he understands the game at a high level.”

Stuart Andrews, sr., Mountain Brook

Andrews was named Newcomer of the Year by the Birmingham News and was voted first team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after rushing for 1,805 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns as a junior, but his impact on his team goes far beyond the statistics. “He has been an inspiration to me and my teammates for how hard he works and how much he is willing to sacrifice for us,” Spartans senior center Rocco Gray said. His hard work also has paid off on the wrestling mats, as he’s placed four times at the state championships. “There is no one in the state I would rather be blocking for and see score touchdowns than him,” Gray added.

Justin Bonner, sr., Spanish Fort

Bonner is a two-year starter at wide receiver who is moving to running back for his senior season. “I’m very excited about the position switch because it’s something I played all throughout my youth days, and I know my teammates and my coach believe in me to do it,” Bonner said. He’s right about that — Toros coach Chase Smith said Bonner is the type of player who would succeed in any role. “Very physical and strong,” Smith said. “Hard worker and talented player. We’re looking for him to have a great year.” Bonner’s No. 1 goal? “Helping my teammates grow and be the best version of themselves.” Alabama A&M, Louisiana-Monroe and North Alabama are among the colleges that have made him an offer.

PJ Brown, sr., Saraland

A transfer from Mobile Christian, Brown is joining the reigning 6A runner-up Spartans for his senior year. Among his many incredible games for the Leopards was a 331-yard rushing performance in a win over Satsuma last September. “PJ is a total back who can run with speed and play in the slot,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “He has a great burst on his first step and has home run ability on every touch.” Football isn’t the only sport in which Brown has home run ability — he’s also a standout on the baseball diamond.

Leland Brown-Foster, sr., Brookwood

The Panthers have several players who can run the ball, including junior Jordan Riley (also the leader of the defense at middle linebacker) and sophomore Jamarcus Jackson (who also plays quarterback). Brown-Foster, though, might be the most complete back on the roster. “Should be a big part of the offense because he can do it all,” Brookwood coach Chris Foster said. “He can be a great between-the-tackles runner and can split out to catch the ball as well.”

Xavier Edwards, sr., Athens

Edwards received all-region honorable mention by the Huntsville Times last year. One of the plays of the season was his 57-yard touchdown catch from receiver Grady Sullivan in the playoff game against Homewood. Golden Eagles coach Cody Gross describes Edwards as “an explosive and physical runner who can also be a threat in the passing game.” He has offers from Alabama-Birmingham, North Alabama and Southeast Missouri State.

Anthony Frasier, sr., St. Paul’s Episcopal

Frasier is entering his third season as the Saints’ starting running back; he has more than 2,000 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns in high school. “I have loved watching him grow as a young man,” St. Paul’s Episcopal coach Ham Barnett said. “He has become more vocal and will be a leader for the offense.” Frasier has received numerous college offers in the past few months, including from Austin Peay, North Alabama, Samford, Tennessee-Chattanooga and Wofford.

Devin Haley, jr., Decatur

Haley had a productive sophomore season splitting time with classmate Isaiah Allen in the Red Raiders backfield, including a 102-yard, three-touchdown performance in a memorable 44-0 Homecoming win over Lee-Huntsville. A “bruiser-type runner” is how Decatur coach John Ritter describes Haley.

Jordan Henderson, sr., Calera

Henderson’s 49-yard touchdown catch helped the Eagles edge Pelham 35-33 last September for the program’s first win in nearly two years. He had a highlight-reel 28-yard touchdown run in another win a month later over Brookwood, and Calera coach Scott Rials foresees more big plays in 2025. “Great upside,” Rials said of Henderson. “Shifty and quick.”

Kawann Johnson, sr., McAdory

Johnson was productive as a junior, and teammates are expecting even bigger things from him this year. “He’s only been getting better,” Yellowjackets junior wide receiver Carter Feagin said. “He’s more of a downhill back that drops his shoulder but also is elusive when he has to be. He’s a threat in the receiving game, too, and not one to be tackled by only one person.” Johnson recently picked up an offer from Alabama State.

Ja’Michael Jones, sr., Pike Road

The state’s No. 23 class of 2026 recruit in 247Sports’ composite rankings committed to Mississippi over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame and others. Quinshon Judkins, a running back taken by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, also went from Pike Road to Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State after his sophomore season. Patriots coach Granger Shook calls Jones an “excellent leader.” He rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns last year and was a second-team all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Chase Malone, sr., Chelsea

Malone racked up 1,601 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns last season, and he helped bring confidence and composure to his Hornets teammates in several close games. “When the game is on the line, I lead by example with keeping a calm and collected mindset,” Malone said. He was a Birmingham News first-team all-region selection and a second-team all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

Damarcus Malone, sr., Athens

Malone and classmate Xavier Edwards once again will make up one of the best 1-2 running back punches in Alabama. As juniors, they combined for more than 1,600 yards and 26 touchdowns. “A physical, downhill runner that loves contact,” Golden Eagles coach Cody Gross said. “He has developed into a great leader for us, and we expect big things from him this season.”

Ryder McMakin, so., Mountain Brook

Stuart Andrews is the present at the running back position for the Spartans, and McMakin is the future. “Long, fast, physical” is how longtime Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager describes McMakin, who scored on one of his first carries in the spring game. “He learned the playbook and the concepts very quickly and is ready to add more to his plate,” Spartans senior center Rocco Gray said. “I am very excited to see where he can take his career at Mountain Brook. He is going to be great, especially under the leadership of Stuart.”

Ladarien Miller, jr., McGill-Toolen

Miller broke through as a sophomore for the Yellowjackets, rushing for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns and piling up another 331 yards and three touchdowns receiving. He was a second-team Press-Register all-Coastal selection.

Micah Pledger, sr., Jasper

Pledger racked up 1,431 total yards and 22 touchdowns for the Vikings in 2024 and received honorable mention all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. He has offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama State and North Alabama, among others.

Kaedin Ray, sr., Gadsden City

As a junior, Ray was the backup to TJ Worthy, a first-team all-state pick by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. With Worthy at Tennessee-Chattanooga, it will be Ray’s turn to shine, and Titans senior quarterback Kai Franklin said Ray boasts many of the same skills as his predecessor. “He can catch out of the backfield really well, like TJ last year, so I think he’ll be a receiving threat as well,” Franklin said. “And he’s a downhill runner — he can get downhill quick and hit the holes.”

Anthony (AJ) Robinson, sr., Hueytown

Robinson is entering his second season as a starter and his third season as a key player for the Golden Gophers. He rushed for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and is fresh off a standout performance in Hueytown’s spring game against Spain Park. “AJ is a talented running back who likes to finish his runs with physicality,” Golden Gophers coach Greg Patterson said. “He has good speed and catches the ball out of the backfield well.” He has offers from Alabama A&M and Austin Peay, and whichever college program gets him will be landing a young star who is mature beyond his years. “AJ takes a professional approach in all aspects from the weight room, meetings/film and the practice field,” Patterson said.

Quinton Robinson, jr., Pike Road

The Patriots are developing quite the tradition at running back, with recent NFL Draft pick Quinshon Judkins and rising senior Ja’Michael Jones, a Mississippi commit. They have another strong back on the roster in Robinson. “He will be a playmaker for us,” Pike Road coach Granger Shook said. Robinson also stars on the baseball field as an outfielder and a right-handed pitcher, and he has a 3.9 GPA.

Tristen Rutledge, sr., Pelham

Rutledge is returning to Pelham after spending last season at John Carroll Catholic. Panthers coach Ross Newton said he believes Rutledge can be a 1,000-yard back. “He is an unbelievable young man with great energy that works very hard,” Newton said. Pelham senior linebacker Joe Hampton said the team is happy to have Rutledge back. “He’s going to be a great running back for us this year,” Hampton said. “He’s a strong, fast and physical player who can run away from defenders. He’s going to surprise some folks and be a good college running back.”

Dom Santiago, sr., Helena

As a junior, Santiago averaged 8.8 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns — 10 rushing, two receiving. Five of those touchdowns came in a monster 270-yard performance in the Huskies’ regular-season finale against Calera, including a 71-yard run to cap a 49-21 win. “Great three-down back with excellent hands out of the backfield,” Helena coach Richie Busby said.

Izaiah Smith, sr., Pell City

Coaches and teammates rave about Smith’s athleticism. “Very, very speedy — if he finds a hole, he will hit it,” Panthers junior quarterback Brody Gossett said. “He is very patient. He is also versatile. He has very good feet and will trick with them.” Smith was part of Pell City’s third-place 4×200-meter relay team at the Alabama high school indoor track championships.

Chancellor Sparks, sr., Parker

Sparks is a football player with track speed: His 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters is the second-fastest time in school history. His football coaches use him all over the field and on special teams. As a junior, he rushed for 856 yards and eight touchdowns and helped the Thundering Herd win the 6A state championship before committing to Miami (Ohio) a few months later. After an offseason spent “working on getting bigger, stronger and faster as well as focusing on my diet,” Sparks has a statistical goal he calls “20/20 vision” — that is, he sees clearly a 2,000-yard, 20-touchdown campaign in his future. Another goal is to finish high school with a 4.0 GPA. Sparks plans to graduate early and begin college in January.

Donovan “Dj” Verges, jr., Pell City

Verges is a future college linebacker — he has offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Jacksonville State, Liberty and Southern Mississippi, among others — and many of the traits that make him a standout on defense translate to the offensive game. “He is a playmaker,” Panthers junior quarterback Brody Gossett said. “He reads things very well and has very good vision on both sides of the ball.”

Dre Williams, fr., Oxford

Here’s a name to remember. The Yellow Jackets have one future college running back in senior Caleb Wynn (a South Alabama commit), and they could have another in Williams. “He’s very explosive, and we feel like we can do a lot of things to get him the ball,” Oxford coach Sam Adams said.

Joshua Woods, sr., Clay-Chalkville

Woods was behind West Alabama-bound running back Aaron Osley last season, but he still ended up with close to 800 yards and 13 touchdowns. Now that he’s the main ball-carrier, “this is definitely the year he puts people on notice,” Cougars senior quarterback Aaron Frye said. Frye added that Woods’ strengths are his power and his balance. “It’s hard to bring him down,” Frye said. The quarterback also appreciates Woods’ humor and his role in keeping the team loose. “Everybody on the team jokes around a lot, which makes it easier to play for each other,” Frye said. “Josh and (junior safety) Josh Ivy are the main ones joking and having fun.”

Caleb Wynn, sr., Oxford

Wynn was a second-team all-state honoree by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after he rushed for 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior and heled lead the Yellow Jackets to the 6A semifinals. He is committed to South Alabama. “Hard downhill runner, a bigger back with great hands,” Oxford coach Sam Adams said. “Very versatile player.”

Jayden Morris and Jaheim Pruitt, srs., Hartselle

There will be plenty of carries for both of them out of the Tigers backfield. Pruitt “had a great year last year, and we’re expecting more this year,” Hartselle coach Bert Newton said. As for Morris, he’s a three-year starter on offense who “can play any skill position,” according to Newton.

Darius Burwell and Tavarian Moore-Langford, srs., Mae Jemison

In Burwell and Moore-Langford, the Jaguars have two dynamic athletes who can fill multiple roles on both sides of the ball. Moore-Langford was the Huntsville City Schools offensive player of the year and a second-team Huntsville Times all-region pick in 2024. Burwell received honorable mention from the Huntsville Times and is committed to South Alabama.

Jeremiah Jackson, jr., and Kameron Murphy, so., Parker

Two-way star and Birmingham News all-region player of the year Na’eem Offord is off to the University of Oregon after rushing for 629 yards and 13 touchdowns and helping to lead the Thundering Herd to the 2024 state title. Chancellor Sparks has one year left at Parker before heading to Miami (Ohio) — not even a full year, as Sparks plans to graduate early and enroll in college shortly after the football season. Plenty of touches soon will be available in the Thundering Herd backfield, and two youngsters ready to pounce on the opportunity are Jackson and Murphy. They played JV last season, but Parker coach Frank Warren envisions both making an impact for the varsity team as early as this fall. Other capable backs on the roster include senior Isaiah Miles and junior Darryl Sanders. “At Parker, we call ourselves RBU,” Sparks said.

For complete coverage of Alabama high school football, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit AL.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.