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April has arrived, meaning we’re four short months away from the 2024 high school football kicking off. That means it’s a perfect time for some preview action to prepare you for the upcoming season.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll have pieces twice a week highlighting certain position groups and the top area players in those groups to keep an eye on in the new season.
We released the quarterbacks on Wednesday so now it’s time to highlight the running backs. Here are 30 returning Nashville area running backs you need to keep an eye on during the 2024 season:
Alterion Frazier, Stratford: A two-way standout for the Spartans, Frazier was Stratford’s leading rusher last season with 129 carries for 869 yards and seven touchdowns.
Antuan Mckethan, Wilson Central: Mckethan paced the Wildcats’ offense last season rushing for 1,003 yards and eight touchdowns on 203 carries.
Brooklen Davis, MBA: The Big Red were run-heavy last season and put a lot on Davis’ shoulders. He answered the call accounting for over 1,800 all-purpose yards and leading the team in touchdowns.
Caden Stroud, Davidson Academy: A second-team all-region selection, Stroud had an excellent sophomore campaign rushing for 1,129 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Chelton Swafford, Beech: Swafford became the Bucs lead back as a sophomore and more than delivered. He rushed for 1,098 yards and 11 touchdowns on 169 carries.
Cooper Jordan, Hendersonville: In eight games Jordan proved to be a prolific back for the Commandos rushing for 861 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 carries.
Cooper White, Westmoreland: White was named the Region 3-2A offensive MVP with 92 carries averaging 5.4 yards on those carries while also catching 21 passes for a 15.4 yard per catch average.
Daune Morris, Oakland: A Mr. Football finalist and the 615 Preps Large Class Player of the Year, Morris rushed for 2,012 yards and scored 36 total touchdowns in his first year with the Patriots. He was also the Patriots’ leading receiver with 586 total yards through the air.
Davis Dowland, Ravenwood: Dowland was a constant threat to score for the Raptors anytime they were near the goal line. Expect to see him take another step forward during his junior year.
DeAntwan Young, Rossview: Young was named the Region 7-6A Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns.
DJ Taylor, Riverdale: Taylor will likely see himself become the focal point of the Warriors’ offense this season after rushing for a team-high 537 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
Gabe Borders, Macon County: A back-to-back Mr. Football finalist, Borders can realistically play anywhere on the field for the Tigers. He led them in rushing last season with 900 yards and 14 carries on 127 attempts.
Gavyn Nelson, Brentwood: Nelson was an All-Region 6-6A selection leading the Bruins’ ground game with 834 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He also had 27 receptions for 331 yards and three more touchdowns.
Harrison Edwards, Lebanon: After leading Mt. Juliet in rushing last season, Edwards will play for the Golden Bears’ county rival during his senior season. Last year he rushed for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hicks Hunter, Sycamore: The War Eagles struggled last season but found a star in Hicks. He rushed for 1,667 yards and 17 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.
Isaiah Groves, East Roberson: Groves accomplished a lot of firsts for East Robertson last year becoming the school’s first Mr. Football winner and also leading them to their first state title appearance. He ran for 3,085 yards and 31 touchdowns averaging 207 yards per game and 11.1 yards per carry.
James Dalrymple. Clarksville: Dalrymple played a huge role in leading the Wildcats to their undefeated regular season record rushing for 1,175 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also threw three more touchdowns.
Jonmikael Crudup, Mt. Juliet: Crudup will carry the load in the Golden Bears’ backfield this season with Edwards’ departure. That won’t be a problem for him after he rushed for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Javion Kinnard, Pearl-Cohn: Kinnard was dynamite any time the ball touched his hands last season and should feature heavily in this season’s Class 4A Mr. Football race. He finished his junior season with 1,889 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns.
KJ Johnson, East Nashville: Every season it seems like East Nashville just reloads at running back and Johnson is the latest to fill that role. He did that and then some last season as a sophomore earning All-Region, All-City, and All-State recognitions while rushing for 1,466 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Mack Tuggle, Liberty Creek: With Brian Rager gone, the Wolfpack could lean heavily on Tuggle this season. It wouldn’t be a bad idea after he was an All-Region selection last season rushing for 1,152 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Micah Burton, Lipscomb Academy: Sophomore Zekharyah Crockett led the Mustangs with six touchdowns but Burton likely figures to be the lead back again going into his senior season. He finished last season with 412 yards on 89 carries.
Micah Smith, Ensworth: It will be fun to see what Smith does in Tim Hassleback’s system. He returns as the Tigers’ lead back after finishing 2023 with 51 carries for 272 yards and five touchdowns.
Perry Cross-Snead, Kirkwood: Josiah Claybrooks led the Cobras in rushing yards (605) but Cross-Snead wasn’t far behind (408). He did finish Kirkwood’s first season with a team-high seven rushing touchdowns.
Rawls Patterson, CPA: Like his older brothers before him, Patterson has quickly established himself as a standout on the Lions offense. In CPA’s run to the DII-AA title, he ran for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns earning all-region honors.
Shy Murphy, MTCS: Replacing Eli Wilson will be hard to do but Murphy will get the chance to fill that void as the Cougars’ top-returning rusher. As a freshman, he ran for 271 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries.
TJ Ward, McGavock: Ward had a stand out sophomore season rushing for 1,344 yards and seven touchdowns.
Torey King, Independence: King will be the Eagles leading returning rusher after finishing the 2023 season with 244 yards and four touchdowns on 48 carries.
Travon Murry, Fairview: Murry had a monster junior season for the Yellowjackets rushing for 1,231 yards and 12 touchdowns on 192 carries.
T.T. Hill, Brentwood Academy: Hill should thrive in Paul Wade’s system this season whether it’s rushing the ball or in the receiving department. Last season he accounted for 829 total yards and five total touchdowns.
Zachery Cartwright, MJCA: Cartwright has a bright future ahead of him after rushing for 859 yards and nine touchdowns during his freshman year.
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