2024 Top 10 East Texas Preseason Running Backs

The running back position is the most historic positions in East Texas. From the days of Adrian Peterson to the stars of Keaontay Ingram to Taylor Tatum, running back has been the position in East Texas. These are the 10 guys I expect to ball and make the Top 100 this season. 

10. Sr. JJ Garner - Timpson 

Garner was Timpson's best player for the early part of 2023 before Bussey stepped back on the field. Garner was a major producer at running back and outside backer for the Bears. Garner played quarterback at the beginning of 2023 and could very well slide back to that spot for 2024. If so, Garner's skillset as a runner still keeps Timpson extremely dangerous for 2024. 

9. Jr. Dawson Witherspoon - Mount Vernon

Witherspoon was a tough runner in 2023. From a production standpoint, there wasn't much of a drop off between Witherspoon and his predecessor Makenzie McGill, who's currently at North Texas. Dawson's a dude. He graded out at 92 and was about 4 spots away from making the Top 100 in 2023. Witherspoon's bound to make the list, and I expect improved speed and even longer runs for the kid in 2024. 

8. Sr. Jaylen Holloway - Pittsburg

Holloway is dealing with the least amount of help on the list, but the physical tools he shows on Friday proves his placement on this list. Holloway's a defensive player's nightmare. The team wasn't great, but you felt it after you played Pittsburrg. Holloway is a physical runner. It takes a lot of hats to bring him down, and he's trying to hand out pain on every run. He's got breakaway speed, and Holloway will be the biggest reason why if Pittsburg can scratch back to .500 in 2024.

7. Sr. Kamran Williams - Jefferson

For the past 3 seasons, Kamran Williams has been a mainstay in ETX. Since his Freshman days, Williams has shown elite speed and breakaway ability. His first 2 seasons Williams didn't finish the season due to injury, but his junior year Jefferson had him the whole season. They competed for a district title and Williams made the Top 100 for the first time in his career. Williams has great teammates, and it'll be interesting to see just how successful the Bulldogs will be in 2024.

6. Boosie Washington - Longview

For the past two seasons, Boosie Washington has splashed and starred in a key role alongside Taylor Tatum. This season it's Boosie's turn to be the guy. Boosie's a tremendous speed threat and the Slick Show can do it in the return game, in the slot, but is best when you just turn around and hand it to him. Longview's back in 6A, but something tells me that Washington is about to have a special, special season. I look for him to return back to the Top 100.

5. Jr. Tradarian Ball - Texas High

Tra Ball is a grown man and has been since he was a freshman. A two time member of the list as a junior, barring injury, Ball will be the third 4 year member of this list. At 6' 190 pounds, Ball is an intimidating force running the ball, and Texas High lets him get the football every way possible. He's an inside zone and counter runner, but he's also heavily involved in the screen game. Ball can play and if Texas High is going to make that deep run, it'll be because of their explosive offense. 

4. Sr. Jon Denman - Palestine

Jon Denman is the most physically imposing runner on this list. He's 5'10 205 pounds, he looks like a legitimate 4.4 runner, and he's gotta skill set that's off the charts. Denman can run it inside or outside, he can juke you or run you right over. Denman shared the load with teammate Ti'Darion Crawford in 2023, but Denman should be the number 1 runner in Palestine, and with a fair load, it wouldn't surprise me if he was atop the Top 100 come January.

3. Sr. Javari Johnson - Texas High

For all the talk about Tra Ball, older teammate Javari Johnson has been there every step of the way, actually leading the Texas High Tigers in rushing over the past 2 seasons. Johnson's not as intimidating as Ball, standing at about 5'7 and weighing around 175. That size doesn't limit him in anyway on the football field. Johnson can run it anyway you want it, and is the better of the two runners on the inside zone. Johnson's got great vision and burst, and is on the second level before you blink. He's got one season left to make a run with the talented Tigers, and hopefully they'll make a deep run in 2024.

2. JR. KJ Edwards - Carthage

KJ Edwards is that guy. As a freshman he saw crucial carries late in the season, but as a sophomore he took over as the starter. Edwards went for nearly 1700 yards and 24 tds in his first season as the starter, and that's splitting carries with talented Jr. Benny Smith, another guy on the radar for the top 100. Edwards, Smith and Jett Surratt all return for their junior years after an overtime playoff loss to Gilmer in the state quaterfinals. I expect a fully motivated Carthage group, and that means heads will roll.

1. Sr. Rickey Stewart - Chapel Hill

Rickey Stewart and teammate Demetrius Brisbon are slated to be the first 2 guys to ever make the list all 4 years of high school. They took the world by storm as freshmen leading the Bulldogs to the 5th round. As sophomores the duo did it again, and as juniors they took their team to state. Last season, Stewart had 3,179 total yards and 44 total tds both rushing and receiving. That production is other worldly. Stewart has garnered attention from all over the country and is currently committed to the University of Texas. Stewart's a dominating talent, and all eyes will be if he and Bris can win the title in 2024.