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

Our latest statewide list focuses on the best running backs in 1A.

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 1A

Deion Blanks, sr., Sweet Water

Blanks enters his final high school season as one of the most experienced players in the region, having started on defense since his freshman year. The senior has developed into a cornerstone for head coach Pat Thompson. Blanks operates as a fullback in Sweet Water’s traditional wing-T system. The Bulldogs will rely heavily on Blanks’ leadership as they try to improve upon last year’s 10-3 record and make another deep playoff push.

Isaiah Brown, jr., Linden

Brown established himself as one of Linden’s leading runners in 2024, earning second-team all-state recognition and helping power the Patriots to a 9-3 campaign under head coach Travis Lockett. The junior standout found the end zone 11 times and showed consistency with an average of more than 97 rushing yards per game.

Jayden Brown, fr., McIntosh

The Demons’ ground game has a new weapon this season. Brown arrives at McIntosh as a transfer student and has the coaching staff excited about his potential. Despite being in his first year of varsity football, the freshman already has impressed with his size and speed. “Jayden combines speed with a big frame,” McIntosh head coach Joshua Harris said.

Jaydon Buchanan, jr., Wadley

As the Bulldogs begin their state title defense, the junior is preparing to take on an expanded role for the program under first-year coach Dake Rivers. The coach expressed confidence in Buchanan’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball. “Jaydon will play fullback for us offensively, and he will help anchor the defensive line,” Rivers said when discussing key players for the upcoming season.

Ethan Carr, jr., Sweet Water

After earning second-team all-state honors as a linebacker last season, Carr looks to establish himself as a force in the Bulldogs’ offensive backfield. After Sweet Water’s second-round playoff exit in 2024, Carr will take on a crucial role as the featured running back in head coach Pat Thompson’s offense.

Ja’Kavien Collins, sr., Leroy

The senior running back looks to build on an impressive junior campaign in which he planted himself as one of the region’s premier ball carriers. Collins rushed for more than 1,000 yards and found the end zone 17 times on the ground in 2024 en route to honorable mention all-state recognition. His production was key in Leroy’s offensive success last season, and he’ll be counted on heavily as coach Chan Lowe’s Bears try to make a deeper playoff push this fall.

Kaden Cotton, sr., Billingsley

Cotton established himself as one of the most productive backs in Class 1A last season, finishing among the top three rushers with an average of 174 yards per game and racking up 23 total touchdowns. The senior, who earned an honorable mention all-state nod in 2024, will carry the load for the Billingsley backfield. “Kaden is a very good running back,” Bears head coach Lanny Jones said. “He has great vision and speed, and he will be a workhorse for the 2025 season.”

Zach Curtis, sr., Ider

The Ider football program is undergoing a transformation under first-year head coach Josh Clements, and the senior running back stands at the forefront. Curtis has developed into one of the cornerstones of Hornets football. What distinguishes Curtis extends beyond his on-field contributions. “Zach is a leader both on and off the field,” Clements said, highlighting Curtis among players who “work to raise the standard of our program in the pursuit of building a successful program.”

D’Kimbee Fuqua, sr., Cherokee

Cherokee will receive a significant boost this season with the return of this senior running back. After taking his junior year off, Fuqua’s return adds exceptional breakaway speed to the Cherokee offense as it prepares for the 2024 campaign. “D’Kimbee brings a lot of speed on the field,” said Cherokee coach Ben Floyd, now in his sixth year leading the program. “We missed his presence on the field last year.”

Keegan Giles, sr., Leroy

Giles enters his senior season as one of the Bears’ reliable offensive weapons, having averaged 35.5 yards per game on the ground last season. His playmaking ability resulted in seven touchdowns, making him a scoring threat whenever he gets his hands on the ball. The versatile running back/defensive back has rooted himself as one of the most impactful two-way players in the region.

Dalton Greene, jr., Berry

Greene is preparing for an expanded role in the Wildcats’ offensive scheme this season. After showing potential during his sophomore campaign, the Berry coaching staff has indicated Greene will receive a larger workload in 2025. Beyond his contributions in the offensive backfield, Greene recorded 67 tackles at linebacker last year.

Roman Hall, jr., Maplesville

The Red Devils featured one of the region’s most explosive talents last season and they will be happy to have him back. Hall showed why he’s considered one of the area’s premier backs, rushing for 685 yards and eight touchdowns in just four games last season. The junior running back was averaging more than 171 yards per game and two touchdowns per contest before his campaign was cut short by season-ending injury.

Zyreonne Hamilton, sr., Sweet Water

Hamilton enters his fourth varsity season as a key member of Sweet Water’s defense, where he’s been a starter for the past three years. This fall, the senior will expand his role by taking significant carries at tailback for the Bulldogs and coach Pat Thompson, who enters his 11th season leading the program and 31st year coaching overall. The addition of Hamilton to the offensive backfield gives Thompson another weapon as Sweet Water looks to maintain its tradition of success.

Seth Hammack, sr., Addison

A returning three-year starter, Hammack brings a combination of elusiveness, speed and field vision. Coming off a junior season in which he accumulated 424 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 73 carries (5.8 yards per attempt), Hammack has established himself as a producer in Addison’s ground game. “Seth is a game-changer with his ability to run the ball and catch out of the backfield,” said coach Mark Hastings, who brings 26 years of head coaching experience to his first season leading the Bulldogs. “He will be a major part of the success of this team this year.”

Landin Holland, jr., Fruitdale

Holland is stepping into the starting running back position after serving as the backup last season, according to Pirates head coach Lane Brown. What separates Holland? His work ethic. He’s consistently “the first there and last to leave” practice, setting the tone for the entire team. “He is a great kid and plays hard every single play,” said Brown, who is entering his third year at the helm for Fruitdale.

Ross Hudson, sr., Hackleburg

Hudson enters his final season with the Panthers as one of the team’s most efficient runners, having averaged 7.7 yards per carry in 2024. The senior tailback will be tasked with filling the void left by three departed seniors from last year’s squad. Hudson’s leadership will be crucial as Hackleburg tries to maintain its standing as one of the top teams in the region.

Sawyer Johnson, sr., Hackleburg

Johnson, a senior dual-position halfback, stands out as a versatile cog in the Panthers’ running attack. According to coach Rod Hudson, who enters his 17th season at Hackleburg, Johnson will be counted on primarily for his run-blocking abilities this fall. “Sawyer is going to be a good run blocker in the backfield for us,” Hudson said.

Taylor Kidwell, jr., and Tyler Kidwell, jr., Ider

The Hornets boast twin junior running backs who are making their presence felt on and off the gridiron. “Each of these young men are leaders both on and off the field,” coach Josh Clements said. “They all work to raise the standard of our program in the pursuit of building a successful program.”

Cortavian Lynch, sr., Wadley

Lynch established himself as one of the region’s premier backs during Wadley’s championship run last season, amassing more than 1,700 yards on the ground and earning second-team all-state recognition. The senior will share backfield duties with teammate Jaquez Wilkes, forming one of the most formidable running back tandems in the state.

Jaylon Marable, so., Wadley

Marable is emerging as one of the most valuable assets in the Wadley program because of his exceptional adaptability. “We can use Jaylon anywhere on the field,” first-year coach Dake Rivers said. “He is an all-around athlete that can be a weapon on offense and be our nickel on defense.”

Nehemiah McCary, so., Maplesville

McCary was a force in the Red Devils backfield during the 2024 season, averaging an impressive 91 rushing yards per game and accounting for 14 scores. His two-way versatility as a running back and defensive lineman demonstrates his athleticism and football IQ. McCary’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed at the next level, as he’s already received scholarship offers from Alabama, Georgia and Troy.

Gary McMahon, jr., Ider

McMahon established himself as a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield last season, averaging 19 receiving yards per game despite the Hornets’ offensive struggles during their 0-10 season. “Gary is one of those young men who are leaders both on and off the field,” said Ider head coach Josh Clements, who takes over the program this season.

Princeton “Kamari” Miles, sr., Georgiana

Miles has been a cornerstone of the Georgiana program since first stepping onto the field as an eighth-grader. “Kamari started at corner for us in multiple games as an eighth-grader and has held his spot down for the rest of his career,” Panthers coach Berry Bess said. “As a junior, he stepped into the role of the starting running back as well and continues to get better on both sides of the ball.”

Lake Norris, sr., Berry

Norris has established himself as one of the state’s most complete players, earning first-team all-state honors as a running back and anchoring the Wildcats’ defense from his linebacker position. The two-way standout put together a remarkable 2024 season, rushing for 2,293 yards on 203 carries, averaging more than 11 yards per attempt. “Lake is one of the top two players in the state,” Berry coach Danny Raines said.

Nytavien Nunn, jr., Pickens County

Nunn enters his junior season with high expectations after dedicating himself to improvement during the offseason. According to Tornadoes seventh-year coach Michael Williams, Nunn’s development has been a product of patience and perseverance. “He’s a hard worker who has watched and learned the last couple of years,” Williams said. The coach particularly highlighted Nunn’s commitment to strength training, adding that he “really hit the weight room this summer. We’re excited about his upcoming season.”

Jayden Reasor, jr., Millry

Reasor enters his junior season ready to shoulder the offensive load for the Wildcats. The two-way player brings impressive size to the backfield at 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds. “He’s going to be the go-to guy on offense,” said Millry head coach Shane Hendry, now in his fifth year leading the program.

Jordyn Simpson, fr., Hackleburg

One of two freshmen on our list, Simpson already has caught the attention of veteran coach Rod Hudson, who is entering his 17th year with the Panthers. Hudson expects the young tailback to “have a big role this year” and believes Simpson is “going to be a good player for us.” While he lacks experience, Simpson’s early recognition from his coach suggests he has the talent to make an immediate impact in the Hackleburg backfield.

Zane Smith, jr., Addison

After a sophomore campaign (30 carries, 200 yards) shortened by knee injury, Smith is healthy and ready to prove himself. First-year Bulldogs coach Mark Hastings describes Smith as “one of the strongest and most talented players on this team in the backfield.” A two-way starter at running back and linebacker, Smith will “provide the depth and leadership we need,” according to Hastings, who praises Smith as “a sensational player who is very coachable.”

Stone Talley, sr., Addison

Talley brings good size to the Bulldogs’ backfield rotation. Coach Mark Hastings notes that Talley “is playing varsity for the first time in his career” but believes the newcomer “is a good athlete who should add depth to the running back position.” While he might begin the season in a supporting role behind Zane Smith, Talley’s physicality gives him the potential to develop into a significant contributor for Addison.

Lavon Watkins, jr., Fruitdale

After sitting out last season because of transfer rules, Watkins is poised to make an immediate impact for the Pirates. Coach Lane Brown is “really looking forward to seeing how he develops throughout the year.” Although Watkins played exclusively defense at his previous school, he’ll get carries in the Fruitdale backfield this fall. Brown praises Watkins’ work ethic: “Anytime the weight room is open, he is making sure he is one of the first to get in there and do the work.”

Peyton Webster, jr., Cherokee

“Peyton has great speed, and if he gets free, he is going to score,” said Cherokee coach Ben Floyd, entering his sixth year at the helm. Despite sharing carries last season, Webster managed nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns. He isn’t the biggest back, but as Floyd notes, “He runs hard and keeps his feet moving, and it really is a challenge to tackle him.”

Xavier Wilder, jr., Berry

After not playing last season, Wilder has emerged as what veteran coach Danny Raines calls “a pleasant surprise” in the Berry backfield. Entering his second year of his second stint with the Wildcats (16 years total at the school), Raines will look to incorporate the junior ball carrier into the Berry offensive scheme.

Jaquez Wilkes, sr., Wadley

The complete package at running back, Wilkes enters his senior season with legitimate aspirations to repeat as a first-team all-state selection. According to first-year Wadley coach Dake Rivers, Wilkes will be “our workhorse on offense” and will anchor the defense at linebacker. A big, versatile athlete who has drawn abundant recruiting attention, Wilkes combines power, speed and leadership qualities that should see him help the Bulldogs make another deep playoff run.

Jediah Works, jr., Maplesville

Coming off an impressive 1,000-yard rushing campaign as a sophomore, Works returns to lead the Red Devils’ ground attack. The junior standout pulls double duty as a staunch defensive end. Coach Brad Abbott, entering his seventh season at Maplesville, will rely heavily on Works as the Red Devils try to return to the Class 1A title game in 2025.

Andre Wright, jr., Brantley

Wright brings a complete skill set to the Bulldogs backfield. First-year Brantley head coach Andrew Lowery describes him as “an elusive back that also runs with good power and vision.” What separates Wright is his receiving ability, as Lowery notes he “has really good hands, which allows us to get him the ball multiple ways.”

Hunter Wyatt, jr., Meek

The versatile Wyatt contributes at running back and defensive end for the Tigers. Coach Daniel Evans has high expectations: “We are looking for a breakout season from Hunter. He has worked his tail off this offseason getting ready.” That dedication has Evans believing “the potential for him is very high” as Wyatt prepares to become a focal point of the Tigers’ offense.

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.