Texas high school football is absolutely loaded with talent at every position, but one of the true surprises in the 2026 cycle has been the number of high-end running backs who remain available. These aren’t prospects to take a flyer on—they are bona fide producers who powered some of the state’s best teams with eye-popping numbers. 

Colleges can still come to Texas and find a running back who can become the future of an offense, or a proven situational weapon capable of complementing most schemes.

Mikail Trotter (5'10, 185) – South Oak Cliff:
The Offensive MVP of the 5A Division II state title game saved his best football for the biggest moments. After cruising through district play, Trotter consistently delivered against elite, D1-caliber defenses during SOC’s playoff run. He finished his senior season with over 1,400 yards and 27 touchdowns. One of his touchdown runs in the state championship game alone is enough film to warrant an offer, in my opinion.

Note: SOC also boasts another talented runner in Levon Morton, who averaged over 9.00 yards per carry and flashes elite cut-and-go ability.

Ernie Powers (5'11, 190) – El Paso Franklin:
You don’t rush for 3,742 yards and 57 touchdowns without elite tools, and Powers has them all. He’s a gritty runner who thrives through contact, combining power in traffic with short-area burst to break into space. Averaging over 12 yards per carry, he was a weekly matchup nightmare. UTEP has offered, but Powers feels like a future P4 breakout candidate. P.S.: He has track times as well. 

Jorden Prince (6'0, 175) – Beckville:
Prince is an under-the-radar steal. Injuries slowed his senior season, but he rounded into form late in the playoffs. A four-year varsity player with size and vision, he’s built to succeed at the next level. The younger brother of Texas Tech RB J’Koby Williams, Prince brings even more size and thrives as a downhill runner who can grind out tough yards and pop explosive plays.

Trae Hill (5'10, 205) – Cedar Park:
Hill fits the mold of a bruiser in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but his production shows he’s much more than that. He rushed for 2,366 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior, flashing every-down reliability. A true downhill runner, Hill builds momentum with every carry. After missing time as a junior, a healthy senior season reminded everyone just how productive he can be.

Demarcus Belton (5'11, 200) – Alvarado:
Belton is one of the most unique offensive weapons in the state. Compact and powerful, he runs with bad intentions, flattening defenders when he lowers his shoulder. He’s equally dangerous outside the tackle box and as a receiver. His numbers are staggering: over 1,500 rushing yards, more than 1,400 receiving yards, and 53 total touchdowns. Yes, that’s real. The closest recent comparison by body type and production is Ashton Jeanty.

Davis Penn (5'11, 190) – Southlake Carroll:
The former Baylor commit showed real toughness returning from a torn ACL suffered as a junior. By playoff time, Penn was rounding back into form, exploding for over 160 yards against Denton Guyer in Round 4 and more than 200 yards versus DeSoto in Round 5. Even while working back, he still totaled 1,122 yards and 19 touchdowns against 6A competition, reaffirming his FBS-level ability.

Aaron Tenner (5'8 , 165) – Iowa Colony:
Tenner remains one of the most overlooked backs in Texas. His footwork is exceptional, allowing him to slip defenders with sharp cuts and purposeful movement at the line of scrimmage. He consistently finds space and maximizes it. The production speaks loudly: 3,308 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in a very tough district.

Cam Newton (5'10, 185) – Prosper Walnut Grove:
Newton was a true workhorse late in the season, piling up 2,402 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior. He also added value as a receiver, catching 36 passes for 413 yards and three scores. A no-nonsense, north-south runner, Newton hits holes decisively and makes defenses pay for poor angles.