Lake Travis running back Vann Hopping (5) runs the ball, putting an arm out to stop defense from San Antonio Johnson linebacker Elijah Guajardo (25) during the first quarter in the Cavaliers' area round 6A Division I UIL playoff game against the Johnson Jaguars at Rattler Stadium in San Marcos, Nov. 22, 2024.

Lake Travis running back Vann Hopping (5) runs the ball, putting an arm out to stop defense from San Antonio Johnson linebacker Elijah Guajardo (25) during the first quarter in the Cavaliers’ area round 6A Division I UIL playoff game against the Johnson Jaguars at Rattler Stadium in San Marcos, Nov. 22, 2024.

Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

With less than two weeks before the start of the Texas high school football season, the American-Statesman is taking a look at the area’s top 10 players in some position groups entering the year. 

Running back has consistently been a strong position in Central Texas, and though many talented players from a year ago graduated, there are plenty of notable returners.  

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The Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

The Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanQuarterback Jack Appl (2) throws during drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Quarterback Jack Appl (2) throws during drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) celebrates a reception at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) celebrates a reception at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanQuarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Quarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPlayers head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanWide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanThe freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

The freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanWide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) hydrates during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) hydrates during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanThe Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

The Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPlayers head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanWide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanWide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanWide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) watches a drill as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Wide receiver Dylan Jaeger (17) watches a drill as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanQuarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Quarterback Jack Appl (2) during Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanA player holds his helmet during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

A player holds his helmet during a break as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanQuarterbacks run drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Quarterbacks run drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanQuarterback Jack Appl (2) runs drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Quarterback Jack Appl (2) runs drills as the Round Rock Dragons practice ahead of the season, Aug. 13, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown linebacker Tennison Dean (53) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown linebacker Tennison Dean (53) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPlayers run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Players run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanEquipment sits at the edge of the stadium during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Equipment sits at the edge of the stadium during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPlayers reset for new drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Players reset for new drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks with running back Jett Walker (28) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks with running back Jett Walker (28) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanFootball players hydrate to combat the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Football players hydrate to combat the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanPlayers head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Players head down to the stadium between drills at Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanThe freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

The freshman team watches varsity run drills during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) runs a route during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) runs a route during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown receiver Xavier Warren (7) at practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanA player takes a break from practicing in the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

A player takes a break from practicing in the heat during Georgetown Eagles football practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks to his team during practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks to his team during practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-StatesmanGeorgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks to his team during practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Georgetown head coach Chuck Griffin speaks to his team during practice, Aug. 12, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Expect several players on the following list to easily surpass 1,000 yards this fall. 

Here are the top 10 running backs in the Austin area: 

(Players listed alphabetically)

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Keilan Chavies, Hutto: After rushing for 789 yards and seven TDs last year, the senior seems primed for a monster season on the ground. Committed to Tulsa, he currently has 14 Power 4 offers.  

Caleb Crenshaw, Anderson: Transferring from LBJ in the offseason, he enters his senior year having already run for 3,352 yards and 57 touchdowns in his career. With five Division I offers already, he’s a special talent that will offer a jolt to the Trojans’ ground game. 

Ke’marion Gordon, Leander: He had a breakout season last year with 926 yards on the ground and is a big reason the Lions have playoff hopes. 

Trae Hill, Cedar Park: An injury cut short his 2024 campaign, yet he still managed to rush for 609 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games. With three starters back on the Timberwolves’ offensive line, don’t be surprised if he blows past the 1,428 yards he rushed for two years ago as a sophomore. 

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Xavier Hill, Manor: Quick, tough and strong, Hill has all the traits of a good running back. He tallied 635 total yards and four touchdowns last year and should thrive in Manor coach James Keller’s run-first offense. 

Vann Hopping, Lake Travis: Facing a brutal schedule last fall, he averaged more than 7 yards a carry on the way to 1,528 yards and an astounding 29 TDs on the ground. He’ll be the focus of a Cavs offense that will be breaking in a new quarterback. 

Bryce Muchaw, Liberty Hill: Part of a Panthers offense that returns seven starters, the senior should surpass the 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns he ran for in 2024. 

Anthony Reyes, Rouse: A player who isn’t afraid to run defenders over, he should improve on the 800 total yards and eight TDs he recorded a year ago.

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Jett Walker, Georgetown: One of the best players in the Austin area, he’s coming off a season when he ran for an eye-popping 2,351 yards and 37 TDs. Committed to West Virginia, he’s part of a loaded offense that has two other future Power 4 players. 

Eric Walker II, Taylor: A transfer from nearby Bartlett who ran for 1,245 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall, the junior is already receiving college looks and will be a boost to the Ducks offense.Â