Here are the top running backs in Arkansas for ’25 season

Buck Ringgold

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Here are the top running backs in Arkansas for ’25 season image

With the 2025 football season rapidly approaching, The Sporting News is taking a look at the top returning players by region and position.

This list focuses on several of the top running backs to watch in the state of Arkansas. It includes several college commits, some others who are still mulling offers from big-time Division I schools, one player seeking to defend his state title and another who joins a defending state championship squad.

Enoch Assan, Greenbrier, Sr.

He’s the returning leading rusher in the 5A-West, and nearly rushed for 2,000 yards, finishing with 1,927 yards on 233 carries. Assan also scored 22 TDs, and rushed for at least 200 yards six times. In June, he reported an offer from Southeast Missouri.

Mason Ball, Jacksonville, Jr.

Ball amassed more than 1,000 total yards despite the Titans winning just once last season. But while he’s seeking to help the Titans win more games, Ball is also seeing his recruiting stock rise. In late July, he reported an offer from Ole Miss.

Robert Blevins, Hot Springs, Sr.

Blevins had good numbers last season although the Trojans won just four games. He had 811 yards on 142 carries along with five TDs, earning 5A-South All-Conference honors. But the number Blevins is most proud of is his grade-point average, at 4.0. Now with quarterback Sedrick Bishop coming in from nearby Malvern, he and Bishop could help make the Trojans’ offense a dynamic duo.

Kaden Brink, Salem, Sr.

Brink gained more than 1,500 yards on 226 carries and had 19 TDs for the Greyhounds, who captured the Class 3A state title. He scored five times in the team’s semifinal win against Mansfield. Even more amazing was the fact that Brink still posted strong numbers despite missing several games due to injury. What numbers can he amass this season if he can stay healthy?

T.J. Brown, Jonesboro, Sr.

Brown earned All-State honors for the second time in his career after a junior season in which he rushed for nearly 1,200 yards, finding the end zone 19 times. He recently received an offer from Army.

Andrew Burton, Mansfield, Sr.

He was a revelation last season for a team that won 11 games for the second straight season. Burton originally began the season playing primarily defensive back, but shifted to become a key cog at running back, carrying the ball 195 times for 1,146 yards and 12 TDs for a team that reached the 3A semifinals. In a second-round playoff win against Newport, Burton had 198 yards on 25 carries and found the end zone four times.

Tavien Clegg, Malvern, Sr.

Despite missing four games due to injury, Clegg was still able to garner 7-4A All-Conference honors in ’24 as he rushed for 1,115 yards and 14 TDs. In two playoff wins, Clegg combined to rush for 362 yards and a TD apiece. The Leopards won 11 games last season, and a healthy Clegg could mean larger things for Malvern this fall.

Titus Cramer, Rogers, Sr.

Cramer is the leading returning rusher from the 7A-West last season, though he spent that year playing for the Mounties’ rival, Springdale Har-Ber. At Har-Ber, Cramer gained nearly 1,400 yards and scored 19 TDs, as well as generating more than 1,800 all-purpose yards. Cramer now wants to help his new squad contend for the 7A-West.

Amari Davis/Trey Harris, Conway, Srs.

The Wampus Cats may have the best running back room in the state, with Davis and Trey Harris, as well as junior Kambrien Blackmon all capable of toting the rock. Davis had more than 900 yards and seven TDs as a junior. Harris earned 7A-Central All-Conference honors after rushing for 976 yards and 14 TDs last season, as well as four TD receptions. He’s also received offers from Central Arkansas and Tennessee-Martin.

Chris Ficklin, Bentonville, Sr. (Central Oklahoma commit)

Ficklin, who committed to Central Oklahoma in late July, turned in quite a junior season. He carried the ball 211 times for 1,317 yards and 17 TDs while earning All-State honors. Ficklin’s running was a key reason Bentonville captured the 7A-West title and reached the 7A state championship game. He wants similar results this season - with the obvious difference being the Tigers winning state.

Jacob Gaines/Dee Buchanan, East Poinsett County, Srs.

Gaines and Buchanan have quite a bit in common going into their senior seasons. Both earned All-State honors last season for the Warriors, who finished 10-4. Both also scored 18 TDs apiece, and Gaines and Buchanan nearly matched one another in yards. Gaines ended up with 1,422 yards, and Buchanan had 1,392. If those two post huge numbers again, EPC is in great shape to play for a Class 2A championship.

Micah Gamble, Fordyce, Jr.

Gamble turned in a strong sophomore season for a Redbug squad which made it to the Class 3A semifinals. He rushed for 1,069 yards and 12 TDs. Gamble added two receiving TDs and even scored four other times on pick-sixes.

Curtis Goodrich, Beebe, Sr.

Goodrich transferred in the offseason from nearby Searcy, where last season he rushed for more than 1,130 yards along with 17 TDs. Beebe will host Goodrich’s former team in the regular season finale on Nov. 6.

Korri Graham, DeWitt, Sr.

Graham is a two-time All-State selection after rushing for more than 3,000 yards combined the last two seasons. As a junior, he rushed for 1,332 yards and found the end zone 19 times. Graham spent this summer attending camps at Arkansas Tech and Central Arkansas.

Xavier Harrell, Nettleton, Sr.

Harrell ran for more than 1,200 yards last season on 195 carries. He also scored 16 TDs for a Raiders’ squad that won seven games.

T.J. Hodges, Bryant, Sr.

The defending 7A state champions got even stronger entering the season, as Hodges transferred in the offseason from Marked Tree. A four-star recruit, Hodges rushed for 1,796 yards on 158 carries with 22 TDs while earning All-State honors. While he now focuses on helping Bryant repeat, Hodges is also being courted by several major colleges, receiving offers from Arkansas, Missouri, Oregon and Auburn, among others.

Kaleb Johnson, Fayetteville, Sr.

Johnson ran for nearly 500 yards and found the end zone six times, good enough to earn All-Conference honors for one of the top 7A teams in the state. Johnson, who has a twin brother on the team, Kinyun, who will play receiver, has been singled out by Fayetteville coach Casey Dick for having a good preseason camp and could be a great complement to new quarterback Hank Hendrix, who threw for more than 4,000 yards last season playing in Texas.

Caedmon Keithley, Bismarck, Sr.

Keithley played a huge role in the Lions’ run to the Class 3A state championship game. He rushed for 1,149 yards and scored 20 TDs. In a win against Centerpoint late in the regular season, Keithly rushed for 252 yards on just 10 carries and found the end zone three times. Keithley added 547 yards receiving and seven TDs.

Ni’kel Lewis, Hamburg, Sr. (Austin Peay commit)

Watch for Lewis this season as he attempts to help the Lions make some noise in a very competitive Class 4A. As a junior, he earned All-State honors by rushing for 1,944 yards and scoring 25 TDs while adding four more receiving TDs. He also rushed for nearly 200 yards with three total TDs in an opening-round playoff win against Gravette. In late July, Lewis committed to Tennessee school Austin Peay.

Mason Martin, Atkins, Sr.

A season ago, Martin ran for 1,066 yards on 113 carries with 11 TDs. On four different occasions, Martin rushed for at least 139 yards. He was also the Red Devils’ leading receiver, hauling in 38 catches for 390 yards and four scores.

Griffin Mason, Shiloh Christian, Sr. (Harding commit)

A season ago, Mason ran for nearly 1,700 yards and scored 19 times while averaging six yards per carry. With Shiloh traditionally a pass-oriented offense, Mason also put up solid receiving numbers, accumulating nearly 400 yards and four TDs. He is staying in-state to play for Division II power Harding.

Owen McLaughlin, Southside Batesville, Sr.

McLaughlin enjoyed his first season with the Southerners. He rushed for more than 2,100 yards, finished with 2,500 all-purpose yards, scored 31 TDs (27 rushing) and earned All-State honors. McLaughlin helped Southside to its best-ever season, winning a school-record 13 games and reaching the 4A semifinals for the first time in program history. But in a post on his X page, McLaughlin remarked he “left one on the table. State championship. … I’ll be back for it next year!”

Braden Nash, Bentonville West, Sr.

Nash is coming off a junior year in which he rushed for more than 750 yards and six TDs. In late July, he took visits on consecutive days to Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State. A huge senior year, and his college stock can continue to be boosted.

Christain Reeves, Rison, Jr.

In June, Reeves reported his first offer, from Arkansas-Monticello. More offers could be on the horizon if Reeves puts together another fantastic season like he did as a sophomore. He ran for 1,502 yards but also had a knack for finding the end zone, as Reeves recorded a whopping 26 TDs.

Jeremy Samuel, El Dorado, Sr.

Samuel earned All-State honors as a junior, running for more than 1,200 yards and 15 TDs. He is one of several skill players back for an El Dorado squad looking to improve from last season’s 7-5 finish.

Isaiah Stephens, Sheridan, Jr.

Stephens averaged nearly 10 yards per carry as a sophomore, finishing with nearly 1,570 yards along with finding the end zone 21 times. He can also catch the ball, and then some, accumulating more than 900 yards receiving with nine TDs. In a win against Sylvan Hills which clinched a playoff berth, Stephens had 308 all-purpose yards with three rushing TDs. Ole Miss and Arkansas State have already offered him, and Stephens even got an offer from new North Carolina coach (and NFL legend) Bill Belichick, a friend of Sheridan coach Kevin Kelley.

Rico Ward, Marion, Sr.

Ward, a three-star recruit, is determined to boost his stock with a phenomenal senior season. He’s already received one Division I offer, from Georgia State, but wants more. As a junior, he rushed for 900 yards, averaging 7.2 yards a carry, along with 10 TDs.

Hunter Warren, Booneville, Sr.

Though Warren primarily plays fullback, the Bearcats traditionally pound the rock and Warren is a perfect fit for their offense. He rushed for 1,400 yards on 187 carries and scored 21 TDs, garnering All-State honors.

Kevin Williams, Pulaski Robinson, Sr.

Williams, the son of former Minnesota Vikings’ defensive standout Kevin Williams, had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and 14 TDs. He’s seeking to help Robinson contend for a Class 5A state title while mulling his college options. He recently received offers from Tennessee-Martin and Northwestern (La.) State.

Kevin Young, Forrest City, Sr.

Young has the speed, not just on the gridiron but on the track. He was a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash this past spring, and was even a regional qualifier in the shot put. When it comes to football, Young is just as solid, running for 1,280 yards and 15 TDs last season. Kansas State, Missouri and Arkansas State are among those seeking to land this Mustang.

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Buck Ringgold

Buck Ringgold has been covering high school sports for more than 25 years. He has a BA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas and is a die-hard Texas Rangers fan.