SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top 10 running backs to watch heading into the upcoming 2026 high school football season in West Texas:
Zeyvion Johnson, San Angelo Central, Jr.
The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Johnson had a breakout season last year as a sophomore with 1,042 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him first-team All-District 2-6A honors. Head coach Mark Smith has praised him as an all-around back who can also block and catch passes. With the Bobcats losing some key receivers, Johnson could become more of a focal point in their offense this fall.
Slade Buell, Mason, Sr.
Buell is a 6-2, 205-pound back with 4.6 speed who powered Mason to the state quarterfinals last year. The MVP of his district, he rushed for 1,328 yards and eight TDs on 219 carries. He was also a force on defense with 87 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and an interception. Buell, who has already received an NCAA Division II college offer from Fort Lewis, projects to be the centerpiece of Mason’s offense again this season.
Mason High School senior Slade Buell — the MVP running back for the No. 5-ranked Punchers — has received an offer to play football at Fort Lewis College.
Branson Lacy, Water Valley, Sr.
Lacy was an absolute stud for Water Valley last year during the Wildcats’ second consecutive run to the state semifinals. He produced over 2,000 yards of offense with 98 carries for 1,531 yards and 30 TDs, along with 23 catches for 558 yards and eight TDs. When he wasn’t racking up yards, he was a tackling machine with 115 stops. As the only returning starter back, expect Water Valley to lean on Lacy to carry the load on both sides of the ball.
Water Valley's Landon Lacy (6) helps lead the Wildcats onto the field while carrying a flag.
Jackson Chacon, TLCA San Angelo, Jr.
Chacon was a bright spot for TLCA last year during a winless season. He earned first-team all-district honors as a sophomore with 621 rushing yards and seven TDs. The 5-10, 180-pounder packs a punch as evidenced by the fact he broke school records during track season in the shot put and discus throws.
Jason Everett, San Saba, Sr.
The 5-10, 185-pound Everett returns after rushing for 1,075 yards and 12 TDs on 149 carries last year. He was a first-team all-district pick on both sides of the ball as he also had 95 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three sacks and seven QB hurries as a linebacker. Without quarterback Luke Tharp, who rushed for 1,581 yards before transferring to Mason, Everett could be asked to shoulder more of the load for the Armadillos.
Ryder Satepauhoodle, Miles, Jr.
Satepauhoodle (5-10, 170) produced some solid numbers on the ground for a rebuilding Miles team that won only two games last year. He compiled 738 rushing yards and seven TDs while also leading the team each week in tackles. With nine starters back on both sides of the ball, he could make a jump this year and join the 1,000-yard club.
Kane Brock, Eldorado, Jr.
The 6-1, 190-pound Brock put together a sneaky good sophomore season last year. He had over 1,000 yards of offense with 100 carries for 575 rushing yards and five TDs, along with 29 catches for 441 yards and six scores. He also recorded 74 tackles on defense. With Eldorado in search of a new quarterback, Brock could move into more of a featured role on offense this fall.
Anthony Saavedra, Grape Creek, Jr.
The 5-8, 150-pound Saavedra had a solid sophomore season with 108 carries for 593 yards and five TDs. With Darrell West (1,965 yards, 26 TDs) gone to graduation, Saavedra is expected to move into the featured role in a run-heavy offense. He could be primed for a big year.
Gunner Garza, Wall, Jr.
Garza didn’t get many chances to show what he could do last year, but he made the most of them. Garza turned 14 carries into 297 yards and three TDs, averaging more than 21 yards every time he touched the ball. The 6-foot, 170-pound junior has 4.6 speed and should get the opportunity to lead the Hawks’ rushing attack.
Armani Coronado, Sonora, Jr.
Coronado averaged 5.4 yards per carry last year as a sophomore in a part-time role, compiling 270 yards and two TDs over 50 carries. He should get more opportunities this season, and his 4.5 speed makes him a threat to break loose at any time. He has already shown what he can do on defense with a team-high 111 tackles last season.
Honorable Mention
Luke Tharp, Mason, Sr.
The 5-11, 193-pound Tharp has transferred to Mason after rushing for 1,581 yards and 20 TDs last year as a quarterback at San Saba, where he was named the Offensive MVP of his district. We're not sure exactly how he'll fit into this new offense, but he’s projected to move to running back or slot receiver for the Punchers. He could form an absolutely devastating 1-2 punch in the backfield with last year’s district MVP, Slade Buell, who rushed for 1,328 yards last year. Tharp will also play as a safety on defense, where he had 67 tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Andon Glosson, Ozona, Jr.
Glosson only had a single carry to his name last year, but he makes this list because he appears to be next in line to be Ozona’s starting running back. And the Lions have 3,667 yards worth of offense to replace after the departure of Christian Villarreal. Ozona’s offensive line was ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 2A by Texas Football, so whoever is carrying the ball should have a chance to put up some serious numbers. Other candidates include Jadon Vega, Jay Borrego, Isaac Romero and Stockton Bean.
Koda Bierschwale, Junction, Sr.
Bierschwale should become a bigger part of the offense as the Eagles look to replace most of the starters from last year’s 13-1 team. He was a first-team all-district player on both sides of the ball last year, including as a utility player on offense, where he had 474 receiving yards and seven TDs, along with 249 rushing yards and four TDs. He was also a defensive leader with 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four INTs.
Josh Garcez, Robert Lee, Sr.
Garcez was a second-team all-region selection as a utility back and a cornerback last year. He was the Steers’ goal-line back with 42 carries for 192 yards and 19 TDs, and he added 35 catches for 520 yards and five TDs. He is the Steers’ lone returning starter on offense and could become their featured weapon this fall.
Matthew Ramos, Rankin, Sr.
Rankin falls just outside of our coverage area, but we have to mention the Red Devils after last season’s run to the state final. They return four starters on both sides of the ball, including Ramos, a 5-11, 170-pounder who had 1,028 yards and 26 TDs last season. He should put up even bigger numbers this fall.
Other Players to Watch
Hector Rios, Reagan County; Johnny Roque, Brady, Sr.; Noah Cook, San Angelo Lake View, Jr.; Pierson Nord, Ballinger; Wesley Compton, Menard; Lorenzo Hight, Veribest; Caleb Storey, Panther Creek; Weston Beck, Miles
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