LAFAYETTE — The Lafayette area has a storied history of producing some of the top running backs in the history of Indiana high school football.
Former Attica High School and Navy running back Josh Smith ranks 21st all-time in career rushing yards (6,392) and 13th all-time in rushing yards for a season (3,004) in 2000.
Now a new illustrious group of tailbacks is ready to prove they have what it takes to lead their programs and make history of their own.
Here are the top five running backs from the Lafayette area to watch in 2024.
1. Dawson Martin
School: West Lafayette
Class: Junior
Stats: Rushed 1,235 yards, 17 touchdowns on 264 carries; caught 19 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
Scouting report: Martin wasn't originally slated to play running back being a burly linebacker who was quick and could play in coverage. But injuries to Kojo Steffey and David Curl III in 2023 forced coach Shane Fry to look into his depth and find a consistent ball carrier. Martin was that answer. Martin had six games of rushing for 100+ yards. His finest hour came in last season's IHSAA Class 3A sectional championship. West Lafayette overcame a 28-7 halftime deficit against Hanover Central, combining for 240 all-purpose yards (135 rushing) and three touchdowns to ignite the comeback and win 42-41.
2. JK Powers
School: Lafayette Jeff
Class: Senior
Stats: Rushed for 471 yards on 96 carries; caught six receptions for 35 yards.
Scouting report: Powers gets more opportunities to showcase his quickness after a respectable 2023. His shiftiness and improved leadership will give the more experienced Bronchos an athletic edge in the run game in 2024.
3. Mason Meister
School: Central Catholic
Class: Junior
Stats: Rushed for 601 yards, seven touchdowns on 118 carries.
Scouting report: Difficult to find an athlete with as strong a motor as Meister. He runs for power, speed and is patient in the backfield. Meister also possesses fine eye-hand coordination to make catches and drive the ball downfield. Meister rushed for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries against Western.
4. Kojo Steffey
School: West Lafayette
Stats: Rushed for 188 yards, three touchdowns on 42 carries; five receptions 62 yards, one touchdown.
Scouting report: Steffey's speed and agility made him one of the premier athletes during the first few weeks of the season in 2023. Subsequent injuries limited what Steffey could contribute offensively but his playmaking ability is next level.
5. Jonathan Pearson
School: Tri-County
Class: Junior
Stats: Rushed for 1,327 yards, 21 touchdowns on 134 carries.
Scouting report: Flew under the radar but made the Junior All-State team after a strong year for the Cavaliers. Pearson is a power back whose upper body and speed allow him to power through defenses. He had three games of rushing over 200 yards including a 234-yard, five-touchdown performance against Attica.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson
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