Greater Cincinnati has had some legendary high school running backs over the years.
As The Enquirer continues to preview the 2026 season, here the best in the area this year:
Make sure to vote for the top running backs in the city in the poll at the bottom of the story. The poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 31. The USA Today Co. network is debuting a new polling service that allows readers to vote more often while protecting against fraudulent voting methods. User experience feedback can be sent to mlaughman@enquirer.com.
Colton Bellman, East Central
The senior stepped in early in the season after Ryan Minges went down to injury, rushing for 1,589 yards and 13 touchdowns. With Minges coming back, the duo will cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses as the Trojans look to make another playoff run. East Central has moved back to Class 4A, where it won the state title in 2023.
Gage Croley, Goshen
The junior was SBAAC American Division offensive player of the year and led the Warriors to a 7-4 record. Croley’s 2,007 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns led the way on the ground, and the Warriors return every player who scored a touchdown last season. He was first team all-district and second team all-state last season.
Jordan Davis, Anderson
Over the last two seasons at Milford (2024) and Anderson (2025), Davis has run for 1,345 yards, caught 98 passes for 920 yards and combined for 30 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Ohio selection last season for the Raptors, leading the ground game as they went 14-1 and were Division II state runner-up.
An unranked running back, Davis has offers from Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Toledo and UMass.
Nehemiah Engleman, Hughes
The junior is one of the Big Red’s two returning all-league picks, earning first-team honors last season after running for 1,053 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was second team all-district.
Malachi Kennedy, Dayton
The junior lit up opposing defenses for the small-school Greendevils. He rushed for 1,509 yards and 18 touchdowns and also caught five touchdown passes. He had a career game in a 62-49 win over Pendleton County, rushing for 400 yards and seven TDs, and adding a 62-yard TD reception.
Ryan Minges, East Central
The senior missed most of last season to injury after running for 1,517 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore. With Colton Bellman, they will look to keep the Trojans’ perennially dominant rushing attack going. He has several Division I offers, including Miami (Ohio).
Kenyon Norman, Lakota West
The senior is a top 25 player in Ohio in the Class of 2027 who was honorable mention All-Ohio and second-team all-district last season. Norman ranked third in the GMC in rushing yards (915) and second in rushing touchdowns (13) last season.
A three-star running back, Norman holds 19 offers, including from Indiana, Maryland, Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Marlan Robertson, Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy
The senior ran for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns while also collecting 75 tackles (13 for a loss), leading the Lions to an 8-3 record. He was second team all-district in Division VII and honorable mention all-state.
Gray Robinson, Williamsburg
The senior sparked the Wildcats to a 10-0 regular season and the SBAAC-National championship.
He looks to lead the offense once again following a 1,151-yard, 11-touchdown junior campaign. He was first-team all-district.
Dylan Wolf, New Richmond
The senior had an outstanding season for the Lions, rushing for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns. He is in line for another big reason as the the Lions return several key players on offense, including QB Brady Young. He was honorable mention all-district.
Other running backs to watch
Nicholi Abbott, Ludlow; Jacob Alexander, Indian Hill; A.J. Ardizzone, MVCA; Jalen Bates, Aiken; Brandon Birdsong, Mason; Corrious Booker, Fairfield; Morgan Brown, Deer Park; Kody Clark, Middletown Madison; Avery Conrad, Lloyd Memorial; Ethan Dixion, Northwest; Chase Even, Badin; Holden Gerth, Turpin; Z’yohn Gillespie, Withrow; Brady Gray, Clinton-Massie; Pedro Guimieras, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy; Tyler Johnson-Huff, Wyoming; Ken Kelch, Batavia; Hudson Kreke, Fenwick; Mason Lane, South Dearborn; Luke Levering, Monroe; Andrew Lynn, Walton-Verona; Amauri Middleton, Taft; Brody O’Banion, Edgewood; Prince Mabasa, Monroe; Charles Oglesby, Holy Cross; Nathan Pabst, Beechwood; Josiah Puller, Wilmington; Joseph Reuss, McNicholas; Logan Schmenk, Lebanon; Dameko Taylor, St. Bernard-Elmwood Place; Lincoln Tomlinson, Lloyd Memorial; Peyton Warren, Clinton-Massie.
Vote for Cincinnati’s top football running backs
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for top running backs ahead of Cincinnati prep football season
