We hear at times that the Florida Panhandle is forgotten about, but here at FloridaHSFootball.com, we try to cover all areas equally to the best of our abilities. As we start to roll out our Top 10 lists from each region for the 2023 season sprinkled with dozens and dozens of talented athletes, we look to see who were the Top 10 by position that will include the following positions: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Offensive Lineman, Defensive Lineman, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Kickers/Punters.
In this list we are taking a look at running backs from the Panhandle.
To determine the ranking, statistics, team strength of schedule from the 2023 season with rushing yards, touchdowns, and team strength of schedule being the heaviest factors in our determination of who made the list. Just because an athlete had the most rushing yards or the most touchdowns does not earn automatic placement on the list as not all statistics are created equal.
RB Cole Tabb, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) [Photo Credit: @ColeTabb/X]One of the most talked about running backs in the Panhandle region and in Class 3S, Tabb had another stellar season, rushing for 1,826 yards on 211 carriers. In the process, Tabb scored 18 touchdowns in helping the Indians reach the regional finals for a second consecutive season as Tabb heads off to West Coast as a Stanford commit.
2. Connor Mathews, Navarre, Jr.
RB Connor Mathews, Navarre [Photo Credit: @connormathews18/X]With 1,500 yards right on the nose, Matthews carried the ball 209 times for the Raiders to round off an impressive junior year. In 11 games, Matthews scored 24 times meaning he was scoring at least 2 touchdowns each game as he helped Navarre win a district championship and clinch a playoff berth. He finished with a total of 1,650 all-purpose yards on the season.
3. Kemarrion Battles, Rickards (Tallahassee), Jr.
RB Kemarrion Battles, Rickards (Tallahassee) [Photo Credit: @unstopableKB27/X]While the Raiders were not a playoff team in 2023, Rickards had some talented athletes going up against a very competitive schedule. Battles was one of those athletes that did shine, rushing for 1,176 yards on 183 carries. While he remained in single digits in scoring with just eight touchdowns, he still was a solid performer, nonetheless, and will be one to keep an eye on in 2024.
4. Miequle Brock Jr., Pine Forest (Pensacola), Sr.
RB Miequle Brock, Pine Forest (Pensacola) [Photo Credit: @miequle_brock/X]Brock was a huge asset for the Eagles going up against a very competitive schedule that also included IMG Academy National and Brock rushed for 1,405 yards and 24 touchdowns and at the end of the day surpassed 2,000 all-purpose yards. With that, he also added three receiving touchdowns to his stats along with three special teams touchdowns in helping Pine Forest reach the playoffs.
RB Dorrion White, Escambia (Pensacola) [Photo Credit: Dorrion White/Hudl]After making his name known, White made the most of his junior season for the Gators by rushing 218 times for 1,233 yards. In the process, White scored 17 touchdowns for Escambia which helped them reach the regional semifinals in 2023.
6. Wyatt Straight, Baker, So.
If there is one thing the little town of Baker is known for, it is their high school football and their high output from running backs over the years. For the Gators, Straight, got to take the spotlight, rushing 248 times for 1,614 yards and 17 touchdowns. That is all in despite of Baker missing the playoffs after a long consecutive run of playoff appearances that included a state title in 2020.
7. DJ Robinson, Niceville, Sr.
RB DJ Robinson, Niceville [Photo Credit: @devontaerobins2/X]Rushing for 1,111 yards on 155 carriers, Robinson helped the Eagles balance the offense during their run to the regional semifinals during the season. Robinson was able to find the end zone 11 times on the ground while also hauling in a touchdown reception to close out his senior season for Niceville.
8. Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic, Jr.
RB Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic [Photo Credit: @Nigelnelson04/X]Nelson, a two-way athlete, was huge in what he did on both sides of the ball, but as we look at it, he did a lot of things from the running back position and did so with 1,371 yards rushing on 180 carries. In the process, Nelson scored 26 touchdowns to help the Crusaders reach the state semifinals during the 2023 season.
9. Jayden Threatts, Florida High (Tallahassee), Jr.
RB Jayden Threatts, Florida High (Tallahassee) [Photo Credit: @jayden_threatts/X]While his rushing yards came in under just 1,000 yards, Threatts helped balance things on the offense with 924 yards rushing on 124 carries and scoring seven times. Threatts’ contributions helped the Seminoles reach the regional finals.
10. Eddie Love Jr., Fort Walton Beach, Jr.
RB Eddie Love Jr., Fort Walton Beach [Photo Credit: @EddieLove22/X]Love made a huge impact for a Vikings program that saw their win total go from nothing in 2022 to 5 wins in 2023. The impact from Love was 152 carries for 1,352 yards rushing and scoring 14 touchdowns in the process. Love also had 18 receptions for 193 yards and a touchdown and also contributed on special teams as he totaled 1,783 all-purpose yards for the season along with a kickoff return touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Amari Clemons, Marianna, Soph.; Jashawn Washington, Lincoln (Tallahassee), Sr.; Travis Keaton, Munroe Day (Quincy), Sr.; Corniulis McKenize, Walton (DeFuniak Springs), Sr.; Jason McDaniel, Madison County (Madison), Jr.
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