Texas high school football: Top 10 running backs in the Austin area
As the 2024 Texas high school football season nears kickoff Thursday, the American-Statesman takes a look at the top 10 players at every position.
High school reporters Rick Cantu and Colby Gordon will take a look today at the running backs who are expected to have great seasons.
OUR PLAYER RANKINGS: Top 10 WRs | Top 10 LBs | Top 10 DBs | Top 10 OL | Top 10 DL
Top 10 running backs in the Austin area
(Players listed in alphabetic order)
Caleb Crenshaw, LBJ
The bell cow of the Jaguar rushing game contributing 1,205 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. He has scholarship offers from Washington State football and UTSA.
DJ Dugar, Weiss
The All-District 8-5A DI running back gained 1,510 yards rushing and scored 18 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards a carry for Glenn. Several Football Bowl Subdivision programs, including Michigan State, Arkansas, TCU and Oklahoma State, have offered him a scholarship.
THE LIST: Our top 100 Austin-area high school football players heading into the 2024 season
Brendan Fournier, Vandegrift
With so many new players on the Viper offense, Fournier will be a go-to after rushing for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is committed to Columbia football.
RELATED: No. 5 Vandegrift will rely on defense while revamped offense makes its mark this fall
Nathaniel Gonzales, Lockhart
The Lion playmaker had a breakthrough season as a junior, rushing for 1,509 yards and 14 TDs for playoff team.
Trae Hill, Cedar Park
The American-Statesman Newcomer of the Year rushed for 1,498 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. He's drawn recruiting interest from Houston, Texas State and UTSA.
[ No. 9 Cedar Park's talented RB — and hungry O-line — confident despite new QB ]
Vann Hopping, Lake Travis
Emerged as a standout sophomore last season with 618 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jack Pitchford, Liberty Hill
The next man up for the run-happy Panthers, Pitchford rushed for 500 yards and 5 touchdowns in a backup role in 2023.
MORE ON THE PANTHERS: Why Liberty Hill comes in at No. 7 in our preseason countdown
Jack Tyndall, Dripping Springs
The District 26-6A player of the year in 2023 led the Tigers to an 11-3 record and a spot in the Class 6A regional finals with 1,644 yards and 19 touchdowns. Texas Lutheran and Colorado School of Mines are among the college interested in his services.
RELATED: The American-Statesman lists its top teams for 2024
Jett Walker, Georgetown
The ground attack will bolstered by the former Lampasas RB who rushed for 1,478 yards and 19 TDs for a 9-3 team last year as a sophomore. UTSA has offered him a scholarship and he has interest from several Division I programs.
Joshua Williams, McNeil
As a junior, he led the Mustang rushing attack in 2023 with 756 yards while reaching the end zone nine times.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Cedar Park's Trae Hill, LBJ's Caleb Crenshaw among best RBs returning
