Valencia's running back Brian Bonner exhibits swiftness and agility that can leave defenders in his wake
Top High School Football Running Backs to Watch in 2025
As the 2025 high school football season approaches, several running backs have caught the eye of scouts and coaches across the nation. Here are some of the premier talents to keep an eye on:
Ezavier Crowell (Jackson, Alabama)
Standing at 5-8 and weighing 185 lbs, the uncommitted junior from Jackson, Alabama, is a five-star talent with a promising future. Last season, Crowell led the Jackson Lions to a perfect 16-0 season and a 5A Division 2 state title in just the third year of varsity play. He rushed for an impressive 2,108 yards and 43 touchdowns, cementing his status as one of the top running backs in the country. His college decision shortlist includes Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Savion Hiter
Listed alongside Ezavier Crowell as a headline running back to watch in 2025, Hiter is another promising talent whose detailed profile specifics are not yet widely available.
Derrek Cooper (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, Florida)
A two-way standout, Derrek Cooper is a senior committed to Texas. He plays both wide receiver and running back for the four-time defending state championship team at Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Florida. With high expectations for his senior season, Cooper is poised to make a significant impact on a top-ranked team.
Unnamed Texas A&M Commit
This unnamed senior running back, who stands at 5-11 and weighs 195 lbs, is a first team Junior All-America selection following a successful 2024 season. He helped his team win a 4A Division 2 state championship, rushing for 1,791 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Other notable running backs to watch include:
- Edward Rivera, a junior transfer from Compton, who gained 1,843 yards and 21 touchdowns in the previous season.
- Brian Bonner, a senior running back from Valencia High School, who aims to stand out in the 2025 season by working hard and learning the game extensively. Bonner is fast in kickoff returns, building up speed like a locomotive and heading to the end zone quickly.
- Justin Lewis, a senior transfer from Thousand Oaks, who gained 1,306 yards as a junior.
- Ceasar Reyes, a junior running back from Garfield, who showed relentless energy with 1,520 yards and 22 touchdowns in the 2024 season.
- Jorden Wells, a sophomore from Servite, who is beginning his varsity season this year.
- Maliq Allen, a junior running back from St. John Bosco.
- AJ McBean, a junior running back from Mira Costa.
- Journee Tonga, a senior running back from Leuzinger.
- Sean Morris, a senior transfer from Loyola and a Northwestern commit.
These players, along with the aforementioned stars, are expected to make a significant impact on the high school football scene in 2025, with strong potential for college recruitment and future success.
- In addition to the highly-tipped running backs from Alabama and Florida, one prospect to watch in California is the unnamed Texas A&M commit, who demonstrated exceptional skills during the 2024 season, earning a first-team Junior All-America selection and leading his team to a 4A Division 2 state championship with 1,791 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
- Hailing from Thousand Oaks, Justin Lewis, a senior transfer, also ranks among the top running backs to watch in 2025, having amassed 1,306 yards as a junior last season.
- Another rising star to keep an eye on in the sports hub of Los Angeles is Maliq Allen, a versatile junior running back from St. John Bosco, showcasing his talent in the competitive high school football atmosphere in California.
