Top returning Nashville-area high school running backs

With spring football practice in full swing, here’s a look at some of the top returning Nashville-area running backs for the 2017 high school football season, as ranked by the USA TODAY Network – Tennessee high school sports team.

Don Johnson

Page
Basics: 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, So.

All-Region 4-4A selection finished a stellar freshman campaign with 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns on 168 carries.

Chaz Williamson

Beech
Basics: 5-11, 182, Sr.

One of three featured Buccaneers backs a season ago, Williamson ran for 1,017 yards and 10 touchdowns on 177 carries last season. 

Ethan Probst

York
Basics: 6-0, 210, Sr.

Probst ran for 1,168 yards on 174 carries, caught 14 passes for 220 yards and finished with 13 total touchdowns last season.

Colby Long

Jackson County
Basics: 5-9, 195, Sr.

Region 4-2A Most Valuable Back ran for 1,288 yards on 210 carries, caught 21 passes for 271 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns last season.

Kaemon Dunlap

Station Camp
Basics: 5-7, 165, Sr.

Dunlap racked up more than 1,200 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns last season.

Darius Hylick

Mt. Juliet Christian
Basics: 5-11, 210, Jr.

Hylick, a former Tennessean Titan Up Player of the Week winner, will take over as the Saints’ main ball carrier with the graduation of 2,500-yard rusher Austin Collier.

Xavier Myers

Nashville Christian
Basics: 5-9, 173, Jr.

One of two 1,000-yard rushers returning for the Eagles, Myers averaged just over a first down per carry last season, racking up 1,173 yards and 17 touchdowns on 116 carries.

Braxton Givens

Gordonsville
Basics: 5-7, 155, Jr.

All-region selection churned out 1,552 yards and 20 touchdowns on 247 carries for the 5-1A runner-up Tigers.

Lukas Reynolds

Henry County
Basics: 6-0, 185, Sr.

One of last year's Region 7-5A Tri-Offensive MVPs, Reynolds racked up 1,128 yards and 15 touchdowns on 167 carries.

Fred Orr

Rossview
Basics: 5-10, 180, Jr.

One of last year’s Region 7-5A Tri-Offensive MVPs, Orr ran for 994 yards on 155 carries, caught 26 passes for 294 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns.

Aidan Raines

Mt. Juliet
Basics: 6-1, 180, Sr.

All-region performer helped lead the 3-6A champion Bears to a 9-3 record last season, racking up 1,261 yards and 16 touchdowns on 180 carries.

Nicky Clifton

Ensworth
Basics: 6-0, 230, Sr.

Bruising all-region performer carried 164 times for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns in an injury-shortened junior campaign for last year’s Division II-AA semifinalist Tigers.

Troy Henderson

Independence
Basics: 5-10, 175, Sr.

Elusive Louisville (Ky.) Manual transfer made a splash in his first season in Tennessee, tallying 1,475 all-purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns for the Class 5A runner-up Eagles.

Kamron Liggett

Marshall County
Basics: 5-11, 210, Sr.

All-Region 4-4A selection carried 193 times for 1,294 yards, caught 25 passes for 359 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns for last year’s Class 4A semifinalist Tigers.

Tai Carter

Summit
Basics: 5-10, 179, Sr.

Two-sport standout and All-Region 7-5A selection helped lead Spartans to their first playoff appearance, piling up 1,293 yards and 14 touchdowns on 163 carries.

Ta’micus Napier

McGavock
Basics: 5-8, 180, Jr.

Metro Nashville’s top returning rusher ran for 1,367 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, and the All-Region 3-6A selection also added 350 receiving yards.

Da’Joun Hewitt

Davidson Academy
Basics: 5-10, 185, Jr.

Speedy all-state selection received Division II-A East/Middle District 2 MVP honors after rushing for 1,627 yards and 23 touchdowns on 236 carries last season.

Montez Bradley

Waverly
Basics: 5-10, 180, Jr.

TSWA all-state selection carried 276 times for 2,023 yards, made 18 catches for 265 yards and scored 34 total touchdowns for last season’s Class 2A semifinalist Tigers.

Dontae Smith

Spring Hill
Basics: 5-10, 179, Sr.

Three-star prospect and Midstate’s top returning rusher averaged more than 10 yards per carry a season ago, racking up 2,204 yards and 21 touchdowns on 204 carries

Master Teague

Blackman
Basics: 5-10, 210, Sr.

Four-star prospect and 2016 All-Midstate second-teamer piled up 2,031 yards and 24 touchdowns on 242 carries for last year’s Class 6A quarterfinalist Blaze.

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com or 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.