Here are Greater Cincinnati's best 10 running backs in high school football in 2024

With the start of another high school football season around the corner, The Enquirer is ranking the best players in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana.

While some coaches prefer lighting up the scoreboard with an air-raid offense, there are still plenty of offenses led by the ground game. These bruising backs help set the tone in the trenches and polish off drives with end-zone plunges. Greater Cincinnati has had no shortage of talented runners in years past and this season is no different.

Here are the best 10 area running backs to watch across the area gridiron this fall, listed alphabetically.

At the end of this story, remember to vote for the top running back in the city.

Logan Chesser, Clinton-Massie

In 2021, Chesser waited his turn in the Clinton-Massie backfield behind Carson Vanhoose as the Falcons ran their way to a Division IV state title. In the last two seasons, Chesser has been stellar, combining for 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Last season, Chesser led all Southern Buckeye Conference running backs in rushing yards (1,198) and was the league’s leader in rushing touchdowns (17) to help guide the Falcons to the regional semifinals. He was named the SBAAC Offensive Player of the Year and earned second-team All-Ohio honors in Division IV.

Devlan Daniel, Indian Hill

As a freshman last season, Daniel took the Cincinnati Hills League by storm as he ranked second in the league in rushing yards (1,468) and touchdowns (16). Daniel churned out 146.8 yards per game and averaged a league-best 10.1 yards per carry.

Daniel, who added five catches for 99 yards and a score, earned third-team All-Ohio honors in helping steer the Braves to the program’s first CHL title since 2015.

Joel Hancock, Wyoming

Hancock played in just eight full games last season, which has to be the reason the senior running back was named just second-team all-conference last season for the Cowboys. When he returned in late September, Hancock made up for lost time with six consecutive 100-yard efforts on the ground.

Despite the absence, Hancock finished third in the CHL in rushing yards (1,135) and touchdowns (13). Through the air, he added 17 catches for 261 yards and a score to help lead Wyoming to another regional championship game appearance.

Demico Harris, St. Bernard

A terrific two-way standout for the Titans, Harris made third-team All-Ohio as a running back after another stellar season on the ground. Harris, who ran for 1,431 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022, finished second in the Miami Valley Conference in rushing yards (1,751) and third in rushing touchdowns (21) last season to help lead St. Bernard to an 8-3 record.

Harris averaged 9.2 yards per carry and led the MVC in rushing yards per game (194.6). Harris eclipsed the 200-yard mark three times in 2023, including a 306-yard performance against Shroder and a 388-yard outing against Dayton Christian.

Jayel Harris, Withrow

Withrow added an explosive weapon in its backfield when Harris transferred to the Tigers from Purcell Marian. A Central Michigan University commit, Harris was named first-team All-Ohio in Division V last season after leading the Miami Valley Conference in rushing yards (2,109) and touchdowns (29).

Harris helped lead Purcell Marian to the DV regional semifinals, running for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a first-round victory over Zane Trace. He averaged 10.8 yards per carry and over 160 yards per game.

Cole Koops, Harrison

Harrison also made the regional semifinals last season after capturing the Southwest Ohio Conference title and Koops was a big reason for it. The first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-district selection led the SWOC in rushing yards (1,379) and rushing touchdowns (18).

Koops averaged a league-high 114.9 yards per game and 7.7 yards per carry. He ended the season with five 100-yard efforts in a six-game span.

Garrett Lundy, Waynesville

Lundy was a first-team all-district selection at defensive back, but he could’ve easily received that honor for his work in the Spartans backfield last season. Lundy led the Southwestern Buckeye League in rushing touchdowns (25) and was second in rushing yards with 1,257.

Another big-game performer, Lundy ran for 291 yards and nine touchdowns in Waynesville’s three playoff wins en route to a regional championship game appearance. Out of the backfield, he added 48 catches for 460 yards and six additional touchdowns.

Keegan Maher, Cooper

Listed by The Enquirer as the No. 13 Greater Cincinnati prospect from the Class of 2026 , Maher ran for 1,204 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He was vital through the air, too, recording 28 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns.

Lee Thomas, Cincinnati Country Day

Cincinnati Country Day enjoyed an undefeated season in 2023 that ended in the Division VI regional semifinals, thanks in large part to Thomas. In 12 games, Thomas finished second in the MVC in rushing touchdowns (26) and third in rushing yards (1,503).

Thomas ran for 113 yards and a score and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass in Cincinnati Country Day’s second-round playoff victory over Paint Valley.

Thomas was also an effective defensive back for the Nighthawks, but he earned first-team All-Ohio honors for his work in the backfield.

Durrell Turner, Anderson

Turner should thrive in Anderson’s high-octane offense this season after transferring to the Raptors. Turner led all of Class 6A in rushing last season at Simon Kenton and was 27th in the state with 1,401 yards to go with 13 touchdowns.

Turner, who added seven catches for 55 yards, averaged 140.1 rushing yards per game for the Pioneers.

On the radar

Dameyn Anness, Ludlow; Yurii Collins, Lloyd; Kyle Franke, Edgewood; Lem Grayson , Badin; David Hambrick , Princeton; Kinxton Hil l, Northwest; Ryder Hooks, Lakota East; De’Lorean James , Clark Montessori; Carson Lindholm , Kings; Braylon Patchell , New Richmond; Jordan Pendleton , Bellevue; Ulysses Porter , Holy Cross; Camden Telinda , Goshen; Jordan Vann , Fenwick; Landon Young , West Clermont

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here are Greater Cincinnati's best 10 running backs in high school football in 2024