Running backs are one of the most vital parts to any offense. When your passing offense is not working you will likely turn to your rushing offense. In other situations running backs are used to help keep things balanced for an offense that has the weapons at most of the skill positions. These players listed here have been demonstrating why they are some of the top running backs in the Sunshine State.
List compiled by Florida HS Football Staff
| 1. Sony Michel | 5’11 | 205 | American Heritage (Plantation) | |||||
| Verbal Commitment | The Scoop | ||||
| Committed to Georgia | Michel has been one of the best running backs to watch over the last few seasons, especially after catching huge attention during his freshmen year. A season ending injury in 2011 didn’t slow Michel down at all in the 2012 season. | ||||
| 2. Joseph Yearby | 5’9 | 190 | Miami Central | |||||
| Verbal Commitment | The Scoop | ||||
| Committed to Miami (FL) | Yearby is part of a 1-2 punch that the Rockets have in their backfield. Yearby was a big contributor last season and even played QB in a game. All of that helped Miami Central win the Class 6A title. | ||||
| 3. Dalvin Cook | 5’11 | 181 | Miami Central | |||||
| Verbal Commitment | The Scoop | ||||
| Committed to Florida | Cook is the second part of Miami Central’s 1-2 punch in the backfield and if its not Yearby getting the ball on handoffs, it will be Cook that gets them. You can count both Yearby and Cook as part of the many reasons why the Rockets are expected to make another run in 2013. | ||||
| 4. Madre London | 6’1 | 205 | St. Thomas Aquinas | |||||
| Top College Choices (via 247Sports) | The Scoop | ||||
| Florida State Michigan State Mississippi State Nebraska Wisconsin |
London is steadily rising up the charts and has been improving in his play at running back. London helped contributed to the Raiders state championship run last season and is expected to help and try to get them back this year. | ||||
| 5. Tony James | 5’10 | 170 | Gainesville | |||||
| Top Choices (via 247Sports) | The Scoop | ||||
| Auburn Florida Kentucky Ohio State Oregon |
James was just one part of the equation as to why Gainesville made it all the way to the state championship game last season in Class 6A. This year James will be relied upon a little bit more heavily as a new quarterback is broken into the system this season. | ||||
IN THE BUBBLE
Dacorious Law – Haines City
Trey Rodriguez – Seabreeze
D’Ernest Johnson – Immokalee
Trevon Walters – Manatee
Joshua Hicks – Palmetto
![Bolles (Jacksonville) is predicted to win their first game in program history on Thursday, according to the Florida Power Rankings Index. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FPRI-Forecast-for-2-19-2026-120x86.jpg)
![St. Cloud started the season off with a 24-0 victory over Poinciana (Kissimmee). [St. Cloud Flag Football/Instagram]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Flag-Football-Daily-Scoreboard-2-18-2026-120x86.jpg)
![Baker County (Glen St. Mary) was among the teams that will play a game on Wednesday, Feb. 18. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FPRI-Forecast-for-2-18-2026-120x86.jpg)
![No. 2 Alonso (Tampa) started off the 2026 season with a 19-6 win over Plant (Tampa). [Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Flag-Football-Daily-Scoreboard-2-17-2026-120x86.jpg)
![No. 9 Fort Pierce Central opened with a dominating win against Centennial (Fort Pierce) to open the 2026 season. [Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Fort-Pierce-Central-blanks-Centennial-120x86.jpg)
![No. 10 Lennard (Ruskin) went on the road and started off the season with a strong dominating performance against St. Petersburg. [Lennard Longhorn Flag Football/Instagram]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lennard-Flag-blanks-St.-Petersburg-120x86.jpg)
