Vote: Who was the top running back in Texas high school football in 2023?
With the 2023 Texas high school football season in the rear view, we're taking a look at the most impactful players across the Lone Star State last fall.
After unveiling our All-East Texas, All-West Texas, All-South Texas, All-North Texas, All-Southeast Texas and All-Central Texas teams and awards, we released our All-Texas high school football team, honoring the best of the best.
Now, we're taking a look at who rose above the rest at each position. After taking a look at 20 quarterbacks who had stellar fall seasons, now we've turned to running backs.
Who was the top running back in Texas this fall?
We want to hear from you.
Scroll down and read up on 20 names to consider and cast your vote in the poll below. The poll is closes on Monday, Jan. 22 at 11:59 p.m. central time.
—
TOP RBS IN TEXAS IN 2023 SEASON
Caden Durham evades a North Shore defender in the 2023 UIL 6A Division I state championship at AT&T Stadium in December.
Photo by Tommy Hays
Caden Durham, Duncanville, sr.
Caden Durham is among the best running backs in the country as a producer and a prospect, and played like he didn't want anyone ahead of him all fall. In Duncanville's Class 6A Division I title repeat, he put his stamp on 2,027 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Ray Guillory, Aledo, soph.
In his first year at Aledo, after playing for Mansfield Lake Ridge in 2022, Guillory was a standout back for the Class 5A Division I champions. He ran for 1,236 yards and 17 touchdowns and even missed five games — including the title game.
Taylor Tatum, Longview, sr.
He was ranked as the top running back prospect in the state of Texas. The Oklahoma signee ran for 1,463 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Lobos. An injury kept him out of a three-point loss against Lancaster in round three of the playoffs.
Deonte Dean, Lake Highland, sr.
The uncommitted recruit was a workhorse this fall for the Wildcats. He had 287 carries for 2,347 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. His yards were the most in not only 6A but across the DFW metroplex.
Jerrion Hall, Malakoff, soph.
Helping another East Texas program to its first state championship, Hall was a huge weapon in the Tigers’ offensive arsenal. The super sophomore rushed for 1,490 yards and 31 TDs on 168 attempts. Malakoff finished with a spotless 16-0 record, capped by a 14-7 win over defending champ Franklin in the Class 3A Division I state championship game.
Will Henderson, Gilmer, sr.
Henderson went out a winner in his final high school game, leading the Buckeyes to a 28-26 win over Bellville in the Class 4A Division II state championship game — a stage on which he was stellar. The All-East Texas Offensive MVP rushed for 227 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he finished with 2,737 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 449 yards and three more scores.
Rickey Stewart, Tyler Chapel Hill, jr.
Stewart put up another huge season after a big sophomore campaign, rushing 257 times for 2,797 yards and 40 touchdowns to lead a potent ground game for Chapel Hill. He was third in the state at any level in rushing yards and among the leaders in touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 285 yards and four more end zone trips. He is also an SMU commit.
Keyshawn Walls, Hooks, sr.
Walls wrapped up his high school career with a stellar senior season that saw him rack up 2,070 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught five passes for 94 yards and another score for the Hornets, who finished 11-1. He is also earned All-District 10-3A Division II Co-MVP honors. Walls is uncommitted.
Adam Hill, Albany, sr.
Hill wrapped up a silly-good high school career with a bang. He earned Offensive Most Valuable Players in the Class 2A Division II state title game after leading the Lions to back-to-back titles. The Texas Tech commit finished the season with 2,641 rushing yards and 51 total touchdowns. He had three scores in the championship game, a 28-10 victory over Mart.
JaeSean DeBouse, Andrews, soph.
This gifted athlete wasted no time making his presence felt for the 6-6 Eagles this year, rushing for 2,236 yards (11.0 per carry) and 24 touchdowns. DeBouse, who also caught a 59-yard touchdown, earned District 2-4A Division I Newcomer of the Year honors for his efforts. He is also a star pitcher for the Andrews baseball team.
Jordi Hernandez, Canyon West Plains, sr.
Hernandez put together a monster senior season by rushing for 1,917 yards and 27 touchdowns on 254 carries to help the Wolves finish 12-2. Hernandez also caught 28 passes for 320 yards and four touchdowns. He has an offer from Division III Hardin-Simmons and Division II Eastern New Mexico.
Damien Johnson, Midland Legacy, sr.
A two-way starter for the Rebels, Johnson was a huge weapon on offense. He rushed for 1,817 yards and 28 touchdowns on 80 carries for Legacy. Johnson, who is also uncommitted, helped Legacy finish 10-3 with playoffs wins over El Paso Montwood and Euless Trinity. He had 349 rushing yards in the latter, a wild 57-55 double-overtime win. Johnson is the District 2-6A MVP.
Broderick Taylor, Corpus Christi Miller, jr.
Corpus Christi Miller’s offense was as explosive as they come this season, averaging 536.6 yards and 57.6 points per game this year. At the center of the offense was Taylor. The 5-foot-9 speedster slashed through defenses for 2,333 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, adding 22 catches for 394 yards and 4 scores.
Jamal Polley, Edinburg Vela, sr.
Polley was a near-guarantee for a first-down this year, averaging 10.0 yards per carry in 12 games. The senior running back eclipsed the 200-yard mark six times this season, coming up just short of the 2,000-yard mark. Polley finished with 210 carries for 1,964 yards and 31 scores, adding seven catches for 107 yards and one touchdown.
Taji Atkins, Spring Westfield, sr.
He ran for 2,576 yards and ran for 100 yards or more in 12 of the team’s 14 games. He scored 34 touchdowns on the ground, 2 on catches and 1 touchdown passes. He’s currently uncommitted.
D.D. Murray, Bellville, jr.
In a run-first slot-T offense, the Brahmas had plenty of options to carry the ball he was one of two 2,000-yard backs. He led the team with 2,072 yards rushing and 36 touchdowns and had 11 games of 100 yards or more for the Class 4A Division II runners-up.
Kedren Young, Lufkin, sr.
The Notre Dame signee left as the all-time leading rusher in his school history with 3,926 yards. He also had 45 touchdowns in his carer and will played in the All-American Bowl on Saturday.
Bradley Sowersby, Smithson Valley, jr.
Made a name for himself as one of the top backs in Central Texas, racking up 1,134 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on the year while averaging over six yards per carry. The junior helped his Rangers reach the Class 5A Division I state championship for the first time in 20 years.
Cole Pryor, San Antonio Reagan, jr.
The junior running back propelled the Rattlers offense all season long finishing with 1,556 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns and will be back for one more round next season.
Jack Kayser, Austin Westlake, sr.
The Army commit was instrumental in the Chaparrals success this year reaching the TX-6A, Division I state semifinals rushing for 1,234 yards and 22 touchdowns.
All blurbs by SBLive Texas staff.
Lead photo by Tommy Hays.
Editor’s Note: Our reader poll features are intended to be fun and generate productive discussion. We do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.
