Fort Worth-area high school football: 15 returning running backs to keep an eye on

The Texas high school football season starts on Aug. 29, and Fort Worth-area players are preparing for non-district play.

Of course, the run game sets the foundation for every great offense. Here are 15 running backs to watch during the 2024 season. Make sure to check out 15 wide receivers to watch and 15 quarterbacks to watch as well.

1. Michael Turner, Richland

Michael Turner, a Baylor commit, has a very strong argument to be the best running back in the Fort Worth-area. 247Sports’ rates him as the No. 1 RB in Texas and No. 11 nationwide.

The Royals have experience, and Turner will be the forefront of what should be a consistent offense.

2. Raycine Guillory, Aledo

Ray Guillory is arguably the best junior running back in Texas. He had a monster season with Aledo as a sophomore, tallying 1,236 yards and 17 touchdowns before coming down with an injury late in the playoffs.

Guillory, with an elite offensive line, will be a force for the state champion Bearcats. He was previously committed to Texas, but reopened his recruitment in June. He has offers from several elite programs including Michigan, Georgia, Baylor, Ohio State, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and more.

3. Deondrae “Tiger” Riden Jr., DeSoto

Deondrae Riden Jr. spent most of 2023 on the sidelines with an injury. He came back for the Eagles’ playoff run and helped lead his team to a Class 6A D2 State Championship.

Ridden Jr. is 247Sports No. 38 player in Texas and is committed to Texas A&M. He had offers from the nations’ premier programs including Alabama, Baylor, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah, Texas and more.

4. Davis Penn, Southlake Carroll

Davis Penn had a monster sophomore season that earned him the Star-Telegram Newcomer of the Year Award. He accumulated 1,577 yards and 30 touchdowns while sharing carries with Riley Wormley.

Having a top 10 running back in Dallas-Fort Worth is obviously rare, and the Dragons have two of them. Expect Penn, a Baylor commit and a top junior in Dallas-Fort Worth, to have another strong season.

5. Riley Wormley, Southlake Carroll

Wormley, a USC commit, missed the first month of the 2023 season due to an eligibility issue. He won’t have to deal with those problems now, and is in a great position to continue his success.

He was a force for Southlake Carroll as a junior, tallying 913 yards and 20 touchdowns. Wormley, a senior, will be a veteran for a Southlake squad that is comprised of many young players.

6. Cornelius Warren, North Crowley

Cornelius Warren will be playing behind one of Texas’ top offensive lines that head coach Ray Gates said was the emphasis of the program. Warren, a UNLV commit, can squat over 500 pounds.

He missed part of 2023 with an injury but will be in a great position this season alongside Daniel Bray, another elite running back that transferred from Abilene Cooper. Expect the duo to share the field and have key roles in North Crowley’s offense.

7. Josh Bell, Euless Trinity

Josh Bell is an elite talent, and runs behind one of the best and biggest offensive lines in Texas with the Trojans. He tallied over 2,000 yards and scored 26 touchdowns as a junior.

Bell, a UTEP commit, has the potential to have the best season of any running back in District 4-6A.

8. Chase Garnett, Argyle Liberty Christian

Chase Garnett, a USF commit, is one of the best players in Texas private school football. He was a major player in Liberty Christian’s run to the TAPPS D2 State Championship, running for 1,743 yards and 29 touchdowns.

9. Darrion Bowers, Arlington Bowie

Darrion Bowers might be the best player in District 8-6A, and his stats make a strong argument. He rushed for 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

Many Arlington Bowie skill players are returning, including quarterback Larry Nichols and wide receiver Dilon Tallie. The Volunteer offense could take another step with the abundance of experience which could help Bowers’ thrive.

10. Tucker James, Trophy Club Byron Nelson

Tucker James, an Army commit, gained over 1,400 yards last season and was a touchdown machine for the Bobcats, scoring 26. He was consistent, averaging seven yards per carry.

Byron Nelson lost a lot of talent over the summer, but will still have James and two elite receivers in Leo Almanza and Ezra Malamura.

11. Laurence Watkins, Kennedale

Kennedale is expected to be a top team in District 6-4A D1, and Laurence Watkins is one of the reasons why. He recorded 1,016 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He holds an offer from Lamar football and has a 38.9 inch vertical jump, which is the second highest in Kennedale’s history.

12. JT Washington, Maypearl

JT Washington was an all around star for Maypearl in 2023, recording 1,975 yards and 20 touchdowns. Maypearl’s coaching staff said he has the potentia to have a 2,500 yard season.

He also plays outside linebacker for the Panthers, a team that is expected to compete for a playoff spot out of District 5-3A D1.

13. Deandre Montgomery, North Side

Deandre Montgomery was the driving force for North Side last season. The Steers struggled at times, but Montgomery’s star power and consistency kept the team competitive.

Montgomery, a first team District 4-5A D1 member, tallied 787 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

14. Reid Green, Millsap

Reid Green was named the District 5-3A Offensive MVP in 2023 following an 1,006 yard, 11 touchdown season. Millsap will have some tough competition in District 6-3A D2 this season; the experience and chemistry on offense will be a strength for the Bulldogs.

15. JaMarion Garrett, Dunbar

JaMarion Garrett is a two-way star for the Wildcats, playing strong safety on defense. He tallied 952 yards and 12 touchdowns last season to help lead Dunbar to the playoffs; the Wildcats are expected to compete for a playoff spot once again in District 4-4A D2.