Leading up to the 2025 fall season, cleveland.com is highlighting the top high school football players in Ohio.
Our first statewide lists focused on the top quarterbacks in Ohio Division VI, followed by the best tight ends, then offensive linemen and wide receivers. Now up are the top running backs.
We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. The names listed below are the result of those surveys. Cleveland.com also contributed players to the list when necessary.
If you are an Ohio high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email mswanson@advancelocal.com. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.
TOP RUNNING BACKS, OHIO DIVISION VI
Easton Armstrong, Sr., LaBrae
Armstrong returns after leading the team in rushing as a junior. He finished with 140 carries for 828 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Tyce Beardsley, Sr., Fort Frye
Beardsley earned All-Ohio honorable mention last season after rushing for 1,231 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s a load to bring down at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.
Treyvon Bearhs, Jr., Meigs Eastern
Bearhs had a 1,000-yard season as a junior despite sharing carries with fellow All-State honoree Tyler Hill. Now that Hill has graduated, Bearhs could be in line for some huge numbers as a senior.
Anthony Bishop, Jr., Portsmouth West
Bishop shares a similar situation with Bearhs. He paired with now-graduated All-State running back Mason Parker for nearly 3,000 yards rushing last year. Expect Bishop to improve upon his gaudy sophomore numbers of 1,560 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Luke Booher, Sr., Parkway
The Panthers’ leading returning rusher has had an impressive offseason, according to coach Brian Schmidt. Booher “has worked hard to become stronger and faster,” Schmidt said.
Morgan Brown, So., Deer Park
Brown established himself as a menace to defenders as a freshman. He had 46 carries for 508 yards (11 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, plus 36 receptions for 427 yards and four more scores. “Whenever we need a play, Morgan makes it,” Deer Park coach Tucker Berger said. “Whenever he touches the ball, the threat to take it all the way is there.”
Gavin Chamberlin, Sr., Cuyahoga Heights
A workhorse who carried the ball 221 times for 1,025 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, Chamberlin also had 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles on defense. “Gavin’s determination and self-confidence has helped him grow into an excellent two-way player,” coach Al Martin said, adding that he’s improved his strength and speed in the offseason.
Wyatt Denney, Sr., Cardington-Lincoln
A two-time All-Ohioan who racked up 1,400 rushing yards last season while also contributing over 100 tackles on defense, Denney is the complete package. “Wyatt is our leader in all facets of the game. He has the ability to have a special season,” coach Ryan Goetzman said.
Kellen Frankart, Jr., Hopewell-Loudon
Frankart accumulated 721 yards rushing, 119 yards receiving and 353 yards passing last season while scoring 17 total touchdowns. Coach Brian Colatruglio describes Frankart as a “versatile skill player” who can impact games in multiple ways.
Jack Keener, Sr., Mapleton
Keener started at running back for Mapleton last season, which got cut short when he tore his ACL. “He worked his tail off all offseason to get himself ready for this year,” coach Mitchell Young said. “Jack is a coach’s dream. He does everything right, and we are excited for him.”
Connor McMichael, Sr., Colonel Crawford
A versatile threat who has accumulated over 2,700 rushing yards and 25 catches for over 700 yards in his career, McMichael has scored 270 points. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior is poised for a breakout final season after earning second-team All-State recognition as a junior.
Henry Ohlinger, Sr., Grandview Heights
Multiple coaches identified Ohlinger as one of the division’s premier offensive threats. The Grandview Heights standout was one of two junior running backs to earn first-team All-State honors last season.
Rocco Pillarelli, Sr., Toledo Ottawa Hills
Multiple coaches identified Pillarelli as one of the premier offensive skill players in Division VI. He earned first-team All-State recognition last year and has run for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Landon Rich, Sr., Woodmore
Rich was a bell cow as a junior, carrying 262 times for 1,823 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry and 183 yards per game. He earned third-team All-State recognition.
Jose Rivera, Sr., Columbia
Coach Mike Rice describes Rivera as a “strong runner and deceptively shifty” back who will be counted on heavily in his senior season. He and teammate Jimmy Stofey both earned All-State honorable mention as junior running backs.
AJ Rutter, Sr., Monroe Central
Rutter will be a four-year starter at running back who is in line for a big senior season. “He has been starting at RB since his freshman season and getting better every year,” coach Jonathan Calder said.
John Silvestro, Sr., Kirtland
A returning starter in Kirtland’s perennially powerful rushing attack, Silvestro will benefit from running behind one of the state’s best offensive lines.
Dom Singer, Sr., Newcomerstown
Singer set school records last season with 30 touchdowns and 208 points. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and earned second-team All-State honors.
Rico Smith, Jr., Brookfield
After amassing over 600 rushing yards as a freshman, Smith piled up nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore. Expect him to be one of the state’s most productive backs this season.
Eli Steen, Sr., Carey
Steen earned third-team All-Ohio honors after rushing for 1,528 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. He’s third all-time at Carey for career rushing yards with over 3,300.
Jimmy Stofey, Sr., Columbia
Stofey is an All-State running back who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Columbia coach Mike Rice said Stofey is “a quick runner and instinctual player” who will be counted on heavily in his senior season on both sides of the ball.
Braxton Taylor, Jr., Coldwater
After gaining 700 yards and scoring eight touchdowns as a sophomore backup last year, Taylor is expected to step into a featured role for the defending state champions. Coach Chip Otten believes Taylor will develop into an all-league performer this season as he takes over as the primary ball carrier in Coldwater’s potent offense.
Dameko Taylor, Jr., St. Bernard Elmwood Place
Taking over for a three-time all-state running back, Taylor brings speed and explosiveness to the Titans’ backfield. Coach Kyle Hogan expects Taylor to have a big junior year as he steps into the featured role in the backfield.
Isaac Taylor, Sr., Huntington
Taylor racked up 500 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns in just six games last season, plus caught one touchdown. Coach Clay Beeler praises Taylor as a “great person and athlete who does everything the right way on and off the field.”
Mason Todd, Jr., Buckeye Trail
Set to be the featured back for the Warriors in 2025, Todd brings track speed to the position. A three-year starter on defense, his athleticism and experience should translate to success as he takes on an expanded offensive role in his junior season.
For complete coverage of Ohio high school football, including schedules, scores, and additional player spotlights, visit cleveland.com’s high school sports section throughout the season.