With the 2025 football season kicking off this week in Texas, The Sporting News continues its look at the top returning players by region and position.
These are the top 20 running backs in the North Texas region back for another season under the Friday night lights. The list includes two state champions and two state semifinalists.
(The list is in alphabetical order)
Hunter Anderle, Windthorst, Sr.
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Anderle was part of a potent Trojans rushing attack that averaged 181 yards per game. He gained 616 yards and scored 7 TD’s on the ground, adding 13 catches for 118 yards and another end zone trip. Windthorst finished 11-2 and made it to the regional semifinals. Anderle was a first-team All-District 6-2A Division II selection.
Luis Balderrama, Jacksboro, Sr.
As a vital cog in an offense that averaged 46.9 points per game in 2024, Balderrama was a dual threat out of the backfield, rushing for 985 yards and 11 TD’s, and hauling in 16 catches for 202 yards and 3 TD’s. The Tigers went 9-4 and advanced to the regional semifinals. Balderrama was a first-team All-District 6-3A Division II pick.
Jaxon Brown, Bells, Jr.
Brown was a busy man last season. On offense, he rushed for 700 yards and 8 TD’s, and also caught a 66-yard touchdown for the 7-5 Panthers. At linebacker, he was second on the team in tackles with 127 tackles (74 solo). Brown was the District 7-3A Division II Offensive Newcomer of the Year. That’s a pretty salty sophomore season.
Luke Brown, Paradise, Sr.
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As a junior last season, Brown was a force to be reckoned with as the Panthers had their best season in school history with a 12-3 record and a trip to the Class 4A Division I state semis. He racked up 952 rushing yards and 12 TD’s and hauled in 21 passes for 384 yards and another 4 TD’s. Brown earned a first-team nod on the All-District 4-3A Division I Team.
Jay Campiti, Gunter, Sr.
Part of a one-two punch at running back with senior Brock Boddie that helped the Tigers go 14-2 and win their fifth state title a year ago, Campiti is the main man this season. Last year, he rushed for 761 yards and 11 TD’s, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. Campiti, who also plays defensive line, earned a second-team All-District 7-3A Division II selection.
Brandon Cantu, Collinsville, Sr.
The Pirate rushing attack had no trouble finding paydirt last season. Cantu scored nine of the team’s 37 rushing touchdowns on 133 carries for 856 yards to help the Pirates finish 12-2 and advance to the regional finals. Cantu, who earned All-District 8-2A Division II honorable mention, also caught eight passes for 98 yards and a TD.
HD Davis, Wolfe City, Sr. (K-State commit)
One of the best running backs in the Lone Star State plies his craft in Hunt County. Davis put up dizzying numbers last season, tallying an eye-popping 2,789 yards (253.5 per game) and 33 TD’s (3.0 per game) on the ground for the 8-3 Wolves. Davis, a first-team Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class 2A All-State selection, also caught 13 passes for 190 yards and two scores. He was the District 6-2A Division I Offensive MVP.
Tru Gipson, Vernon, Sr.
Gipson led the way for a potent rushing attack for the Lions on their way to a 9-4 record and a regional semifinals trip in 2024. He finished with 1,126 yards and 17 TD’s on the ground, along with 205 yards and 2 TD’s receiving. Gipson, a first-team All-District 4-3A Division I selection, is one of eight returning starters for Vernon.
Will Holland, Krum, Sr.
Holland came up big last season to help the Bobcats to their first playoff win since 2016. The rising senior tallied 1,088 rushing yards with 11 TD’s and caught 12 passes for 102 yards and 4 more TD’s. Krum finished 9-3, while Holland earned a first-team All-District 5-4A Division II spot.
Brodie Jackson, Petrolia, Jr.
The Pirates finished 5-6 in 2024, but Jackson was a steady force for the offense, rushing for 613 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 115 yards and another score. Jackson, one of eight returning starters on offense, nabbed a first-team All-District 6-2A Division II nod.
Reggie Jones, Sanger, Sr.
Although the Indians missed the playoffs and finished two games under .500 last season, Jones was spectacular. He rushed for 1,483 yards (7.0 per carry) and 15 TD’s for an average of 147.8 yards per game. Jones, one of 10 returning starters on offense, earned first-team All-District 5-4A Division II honors.
Bryer McDonald, Brock, Jr.
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As a sophomore last year, McDonald finished third on the team in rushing yards with 797, but he was first in rushing touchdowns with 11. The Eagles finished 13-2 with a trip to the state semifinals. McDonald, who also plays linebacker, was a second-team All-District 3-4A Division II selection at running back.
Jake Milligan, Decatur, Sr.
Decatur’s 2024 season ended abruptly with a 41-38 playoff loss to Aubrey. The Eagles finished 7-5 after winning a combined 21 games the previous two seasons. Milligan rushed for 802 yards and a touchdown and caught eight passes for 136 yards. He was a first-team All-District 5-4A Division I selection. One of six returning starters on offense, Milligan is primed for a breakout 2025 season.
Braylon Nava, Electra, Sr.
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Nava has a knack for getting into the end zone. Although he finished last season with just 376 rushing yards, he scored eight touchdowns to help the Tigers finish 8-3. Nava also starts at linebacker. He led the team in tackles with 126 in 2024. The rising senior was a first-team All-District 6-2A Division II selection on offense and defense. Nice.
Carson Nix, Pottsboro, Sr.
As a junior last season, Nix was the perfect complement to quarterback Cayden Humphrey. Nix rushed for 809 yards and 10 TD’s to help the 9-2 Cardinals average 44 points per game. Both he and Humphrey are back this season, so Pottsboro should have another explosive offense. Nix also plays linebacker for the Cards.
Nolan Peel, Muenster, Sr.
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Peel was a vital cog in Muenster’s march to a 14-2 record and a Class 2A Division II state championship last season. He finished his junior campaign with 979 rushing yards and 18 TD’s and 17 receptions for 249 yards and 2 TD’s. Peel was a first-team All-District 8-2 Division II selection.
Eric Powell, Wichita Falls Memorial, Sr.
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One of two 1,000-yard rushers for the Mavericks last season, Powell tallied 1,001 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns. He was also second on the team in receiving with 45 catches for 476 yards and six touchdowns, helping Memorial finish 9-3. Powell was a first-team All-District 2-5A Division II pick.
Hudson Salyers, Peaster, So.
Starting on the varsity as a freshman didn’t bother Salyers. He racked up 697 rushing yards and 10 TD’s and caught seven passes for 106 yards and another TD last season. Salyers is one of eight returning starters on offense for the Greyhounds, who finished 9-3. He also earned first-team All-District 4-3A Division I honors. One season down, three to go.
King Stephens, Azle, So.
As a freshman varsity starter a year ago, Stephens put up some solid numbers, rushing for 406 yards and six touchdowns on 62 carries. He also caught a 61-yard pass to help the Hornets finish 7-4 and nab a playoff spot. Stephens is ready to take the RB1 throne in 2025.
Gordon Swartz, Farmersville, Sr.
Swartz had a huge junior season, tallying 1,225 rushing yards and 17 TD’s for the 8-4 Farmers. One of five returning starters on offense, Swartz earned a spot on the All-District 5-4A Division II first team. He also plays safety for Farmersville.
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