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
![Addy Curry has helped lead second-year Tocoi Creek (St. Augustine) to the playoffs and will travel to Timber Creek for their first-round match. Class 4A Regional Quartefinals take place on Wednesday, April 29. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Class-4A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview-120x86.jpg)
![Ponte Vedra QB Izzy Murray will be one to keep an eye when the Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals take place on Wednesday, April 29. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-3A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview-120x86.jpg)
![Robinson (Tampa) is chasing a 10th consecutive state championship -- and 11th overall as the Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals get underway on Tuesday, April 28. [Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-2A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview-120x86.jpg)
![John Carroll (Fort Pierce) is among the teams in Class 1A that will be hosting a regional quartefinal playoff game on Tuesday, April 28. [Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers]](https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-1A-Regional-Quarterfinals-Playoff-Preview-120x86.jpg)
