Texas high school football: Top 10 running backs in the Austin area

As the 2024 Texas high school football season nears kickoff Thursday, the American-Statesman takes a look at the top 10 players at every position.

High school reporters Rick Cantu and Colby Gordon will take a look today at the running backs who are expected to have great seasons.

OUR PLAYER RANKINGS: Top 10 WRs | Top 10 LBs | Top 10 DBs | Top 10 OL | Top 10 DL

Top 10 running backs in the Austin area

(Players listed in alphabetic order)

Caleb Crenshaw , LBJ

The bell cow of the Jaguar rushing game contributing 1,205 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. He has scholarship offers from Washington State football and UTSA.

DJ Dugar , Weiss

The All-District 8-5A DI running back gained 1,510 yards rushing and scored 18 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards a carry for Glenn. Several Football Bowl Subdivision programs, including Michigan State , Arkansas, TCU and Oklahoma State, have offered him a scholarship.

THE LIST: Our top 100 Austin-area high school football players heading into the 2024 season

Brendan Fournier , Vandegrift

With so many new players on the Viper offense, Fournier will be a go-to after rushing for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is committed to Columbia football.

RELATED: No. 5 Vandegrift will rely on defense while revamped offense makes its mark this fall

Nathaniel Gonzales , Lockhart

The Lion playmaker had a breakthrough season as a junior, rushing for 1,509 yards and 14 TDs for playoff team.

Trae Hill , Cedar Park

The American-Statesman Newcomer of the Year rushed for 1,498 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore. He's drawn recruiting interest from Houston, Texas State and UTSA.

[ No. 9 Cedar Park's talented RB — and hungry O-line — confident despite new QB ]

Vann Hopping , Lake Travis

Emerged as a standout sophomore last season with 618 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jack Pitchford , Liberty Hill

The next man up for the run-happy Panthers, Pitchford rushed for 500 yards and 5 touchdowns in a backup role in 2023.

MORE ON THE PANTHERS: Why Liberty Hill comes in at No. 7 in our preseason countdown

Jack Tyndall , Dripping Springs

The District 26-6A player of the year in 2023 led the Tigers to an 11-3 record and a spot in the Class 6A regional finals with 1,644 yards and 19 touchdowns. Texas Lutheran and Colorado School of Mines are among the college interested in his services.

RELATED: The American-Statesman lists its top teams for 2024

Jett Walker , Georgetown

The ground attack will bolstered by the former Lampasas RB who rushed for 1,478 yards and 19 TDs for a 9-3 team last year as a sophomore. UTSA has offered him a scholarship and he has interest from several Division I programs.

Joshua Williams , McNeil

As a junior, he led the Mustang rushing attack in 2023 with 756 yards while reaching the end zone nine times.

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas high school football: Top 10 running backs in the Austin area