Who are the State's Best Returning QB/RB Duos in Class 6A and 5A?

6A

5. Klein QB Carter Latelle and RB Edward Kelly Jr.

Kelly rushed for 1,677 yards and 21 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry in 2024, but his recruitment took off this spring after he ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.36) at the Under Armour Next Camp. The 5-10, 185-pound prospect now holds offers from Pitt, UTSA and Washington State, among others. Kelly could be in for an even bigger senior season with new head coach Nick Codutti, who oversaw one of the nation’s top rushing offenses at Fulshear last season. 

Latelle impressed as a sophomore with 16 touchdown passes to just three interceptions, earning District 15-6A Second Team honors. Part of this pick is projection for his junior production, but his sophomore tape shows flashes of Division I talent. Latelle has great arm strength and excellent pocket mobility.

4. Los Fresnos QB Robert Pineda and RB Diego Torres

Pineda and Torres led Los Fresnos to its first 10-win season since 2014 and are back for more in 2025. Quarterback Pineda is the epitome of a dual-threat (3,108 total yards, 22 touchdowns rushing and 22 touchdowns passing) and earned District 32-6A Overall MVP. The coaches say Pineda is Los Fresnos’ captain due to his leadership, attitude and effort. 

Pineda is the returning leading rusher, but Torres is a dynamic second option. The 5-9, 155-pound back rushed for 7.2 yards per carry as a sophomore and earned District Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

3. Cypress Springs QB Jared Hagger and ATH Paris Melvin Jr.

Melvin is the returning District 16-6A MVP for his unmatched versatility. The DCTF four-star had 1,173 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns and 449 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. Oh, and he also added two interceptions on defense. Melvin has 35 offers.

Hagger was a First-Team All-District quarterback last season with 2,256 total yards and 23 touchdowns, but the coaches think he will become an elite Class 6A quarterback as a junior. The 6-1, 215-pound dual-threat can make every throw on the field. He holds offers from UTEP and Louisiana.

2. Odessa Permian QB Jakob Garcia and RB Gavin Black

Cue AC/DC, because Permian is Back in Black in 2025. The senior running back is the second-leading returning rusher in Class 6A with 2,331 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. He broke Permian’s single-season rushing record set by Sherard Ray in 2008. That accomplishment is even more impressive when considering Permian is both historically dominant and historically run-heavy. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Black is a downhill runner who makes one cut before he mashes the gas. Black has offers to UTEP, UT-Permian Basin and Eastern New Mexico.

Garcia is the perfect complement to Black, keeping the defense honest with 1,483 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air. He was a District 2-6A Second Team selection, but his leadership as a third-year starter is just as important as his play. 

1. Forney QB Nelson Peterson Jr. and RB Javian Osborne

Osborne, a Notre Dame commit, is the No.10-ranked overall player in the DCTF Hot 100. At 5-10, 195 pounds, his blend of speed and power makes him an elite TXHSFB running back. Osborne has 1,239 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns. While not asked to catch many passes, he’s a threat out of the backfield as a check-down option when needed. 

Peterson Jr. is following in the football footsteps of his older brother, future NFL Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. But he’s playing quarterback instead. The 6-3, 190-pound gunslinger earned District 10-6A First Team honors with over 2,300 passing yards, 700 rushing yards and 33 total touchdowns. He has offers from Ole Miss, Texas Tech and UTEP. 

5A

5. PSJA North QB Daren Garcia and RB Ethan Guerra

PSJA North has turned into a Rio Grande Valley power with four consecutive double-digit win seasons. The Raiders lost only six lettermen and returned 39, including this dynamic backfield duo.

Guerra had 2,134 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns, earning District 15-5A DI Overall MVP. Arguably the most dynamic running back in the Valley, Guerra is a shifty runner with home-run speed. The 5-8, 185-pound prospect has offers from Nelson, Madonna, Howard and McPherson.

While Guerra is the headliner, Garcia earned first-team all-district honors himself with over 1,400 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns. 

4. Argyle QB Maguire Gasperson and RB Watson Bell

Argyle might be a PROBLEM in 2025 after returning seven offensive starters from a state semifinalist team. It starts with quarterback Gasperson, who earned District 3-5A DII Overall MVP as a junior with 3,277 total yards and 34 touchdowns. The team captain is a vocal leader who combines arm strength with speed (4.55 40-yard dash). He has five offers from the likes of Maryland, North Texas and Tulane.

Bell makes it look elementary, my dear Watson. The First Team All-District running back had 1,329 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024. The 5-7, 170-pound prospect often blends in behind the line of scrimmage before bursting through the hole with excellent footwork - and behind a confused defense. Bell also displays power.

3. Prosper Walnut Grove QB Hayes Hackney and RB Cam Newton

Hackney and Newton led Prosper Walnut Grove to an 11-2 record in just its second year as a varsity program and first in a UIL district. 

Speaking of firsts, Hackney won District 4-5A DII Overall MVP as a freshman with 3,645 yards (which led all of Class 5A DII) and 40 touchdowns. The 5-10, 170-pound quarterback already has a live arm, but his deep ball will progress as he grows. 

Newton, meanwhile, has put up the same gaudy stats as the former Heisman Trophy winner that shares his name. The 5-11, 185-pound back rushed for 2,017 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior. Newton has 16 offers. 

This pair helped the Wildcats average 53.3 points per game, which led all Dallas-area 5A teams.

2. Georgetown QB Kaleb McDougle and RB Jett Walker

Walker is the second-leading returning rusher in Class 5A after compiling 2,348 yards and 38 touchdowns on 10.7 yards per carry. His 6-2, 215-pound frame and 4.5 speed make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. The No.9-ranked running back in the DCTF Hot 100 is committed to West Virginia.

While Walker was the offensive focal point, McDougle was the breakout player at quarterback. The 2027 prospect earned District 8-5A DI First Team honors as a sophomore with 2,442 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. A catcher on the baseball team, McDougle flashes a quick release and plus-arm strength. His command of the offense should only increase as a junior.

1. Richmond Randle QB Tyler Skrabanek and RB Landen Williams-Callis

How did Richmond Randle win a state championship in its third year of varsity football? This duo has a lot to do with it.

Williams-Callis is the best 2027 running back in the state of Texas, with over 4,000 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns in his first two years of high school. The 5-8, 187-pound running back has won the District’s Overall MVP and Offensive MVP in consecutive years, and earned Class 5A DII State Championship Game Offensive MVP. 

Skrabanek earned District 9-5A DII First Team honors with 2,115 yards and 27 touchdowns. He split snaps in the playoffs with ATH Keilan Sweeny, who came into the game as a wildcat QB. Skrabanek should take almost all the snaps as a senior. The 6-4, 215-pound quarterback has Division I size and an offer from East Texas A&M.

It’ll be interesting to watch how both prospects handle a new offensive coordinator.