Louisiana high school football: Here are the top running backs for the 2023 season

Plenty of stellar seniors to watch, but also keep an eye on some promising juniors

Our look at the state of Louisiana's top high school football players continues with the running backs. 

While there is no shortage of stellar backs in the Class of 2024, the Class of 2025 is a special group that doesn't come along often with multiple elite prospects.

Louisiana's Top Players To Watch in 2023

Quarterbacks | Receivers/Tight Ends 

Running backs are listed in random order. Please let us know of any additional running backs that we should keep an eye on.

Harlem Berry, 5-11, 185, Jr., St. Martin's Episcopal

Berry is ranked as the No. 1 player in Louisiana, No. 1 running back nationally and overall No. 11 player by On3. Timed at 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the Under Armour Future 50 Combine.

Has rushed for 4,313 yards and 64 touchdowns over the last two years. Averaged 11.7 yards per carry in 2022 and scored on 20% of his carries, according to nola.com's Chris Dabe. Led St. Martin's to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the Division IV select semifinals.

Hutch Swilley, 5-11, 200, Sr., St. Thomas More

Navy commitment who rushed for 914 yards with 16 TDs for the Division II select state champions. Averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Split touches with two other running backs - tallying 135 carries in 13 games. Added nine catches for 110 yards.

Swilley also scored 30 on the ACT and has been courted by several Ivy League schools. Accounted for 167 of his team's 201 rushing yards in the championship game win against Lafayette Christian.

Steven Blanco, 5-10, 205, Sr., St. Martinville

UL Ragin' Cajuns commit who rushed for over 2,200 yards and averaged 12 yards per carry as a junior. As a sophomore, carried 17 times for 264 yards and three TDs in a quarterfinal playoff win over Lutcher.

Four-year starter who ran for a TD covering more than 90 yards as a freshman against Teurlings Catholic. Named Acadiana Advocate Small School All-Metro Player of the Year in 2022.

Fred Robertson, 5-9, 180, Sr., Warren Easton

Rushed for 2,178 yards and 32 touchdowns for a team that went 10-2, garnered the No. 1 seed and reached the Division I select quarterfinals. Indiana, Marshall, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Toledo and Louisiana-Monroe have offered.

Named Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Metro Player of the Week for a 21-carry, 320-yard, three-touchdown performance against McDonogh #35.

Jeremiah James, 5-11, 195, Sr., Many

Rated a three-star prospect, the No. 44 player in Louisiana and the No. 82 running back in the country by On3. Holds an offer from Arkansas State. Rushed for 1,537 yards and 17 TDs for an undefeated Division III non-select team.

Ran for 126 yards and two TDs in the championship game win against Union Parish. Carried 21 times for 167 yards and three scores in a playoff win against East Feliciana.

Jaylon Coleman, 5-10, 160, Jr., Vandebilt Catholic

ESPN ranks Coleman as a four-star prospect, the No. 4 player in Louisiana, the No. 18 running back in the nation and No. 193 overall player. Florida State, Texas A&M, Oregon, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are among his listed offers. Projected as a receiver by 247Sports.

As a freshman, rushed for 300 yards and four TDs in a win over St. Louis Catholic. Set a personal record of 10.40 in the 100 meters and 21.48 in the 200. Timed at 4.31 in the 40-yard dash at the Pro Football Camp at Nicholls State this summer. According to The Underclassman Report, Coleman is the nation's fastest 2025 prospect with a max speed of 21.9 miles per hour.

Tavias Gordon, 5-10, 185, Jr., Westgate

Georgia Tech has landed a verbal commitment from Gordon, who is part of a banner junior class at Westgate. Rushed for 955 yards on 158 carries with 13 TDs for the Division I non-select semifinalists. Rushed for 102 yards and two TDs against eventual state champion Destrehan in the semifinals.

On3 analyst Sam Spiegelman wrote that Gordon "runs through contact at a fantastic level" after observing the Tigers' playoff win over Belle Chasse.

Carldell Sirmons, 5-7, 155, Sr., Carroll

Sirmons transferred from Ouachita Parish to Carroll over the summer. Timed at 4.34 in the 40-yard dash this summer. Rushed for 262 yards and four TDs on 24 carries in Ouachita's first win over Neville since 2010.

Has excellent pass-catching ability and could move to receiver on the next level. Finished his junior year with 2,683 all-purpose yards and 23 TDs. Lamar and Grambling State have offered.

Moses Gray, 6-1, 205, Sr., St. Augustine

Marshall commit who ran for a touchdown to even the score at 17-all in St. Augustine's 24-20 win over Zachary last year. Will be the feature back after sharing carries with Clint Langford, who graduated. Helped the Purple Knights to the No. 4 seed in Division I select.

James Simon, 6-0, 200, Jr., Calvary Baptist

Ranked as the No. 3 player in Louisiana, the No. 11 running back in the nation and the overall No. 124 player by On3. Carried 138 times for 1,005 yards and 22 TDs last year - averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Added nine catches for 122 yards and three TDs. Son of Grambling State offensive coordinator and assistant head coach John Simon.

D'Shaun Ford, 5-11, 220, Jr., Opelousas

Ranked by Rivals as the No. 3 player in Louisiana, the No. 12 running back in the nation and the overall No. 146 player. Named District 5-4A Offensive Most Valuable Player after rushing for 1,370 yards and 21 TDs. Broke the school's single game rushing record with a nine-carry, 317-yard, five touchdown performance vs. Beau Chene.

Shane Lee, 5-10, 200, Sr., Destrehan

Lee totaled 147 yards on 11 carries with three TDs - all in the first half - of Destrehan's 48-7 regular-season win over East St. John. Batted over .400 in baseball and is considered a Division I prospect in both sports. Ran for 108 yards on 20 carries with a TD in a semifinal win vs. Westgate. Scored a TD in a 17-10 win against Ruston in the Division I non-select title game.

Marlon Prout, 5-8, 170, Sr., John Curtis Christian

Rushed for 1,030 yards on 133 carries with 16 TDs while sharing the load with Southern University commit Jason Gabriel for the Division I select champions. Named Greater New Orleans Prep Player of the Week in October 2022 after rushing for 137 yards on 14 attempts with a TD in a 35-14 win at Acadiana. Rushed for 129 yards on 19 carries with two TDs, including the go-ahead score in a 32-21 win over Holy Cross.

Ke'Von Johnson, 5-10, 160, So., St. Edmund

Johnson rushed for a school-record 1,795 yards with 20 TDs last year. Began the year with three consecutive 200-plus yard outings, highlighted by a 23-carry, 300-yard, six-TD performance versus Westminster Christian-Lafayette. His freshman campaign topped a Blue Jays' single-season rushing mark set 40 years ago.

Justin Chatman, 5-10, 180, Sr., Covington

Chatman looks to regain the form displayed during his 1,000-yard sophomore campaign. Nicknamed "Speedy," Chatman played in three games in 2022. Bounced back in Covington's intra-squad spring scrimmage with six catches for 104 yards and 29 yards rushing.

Through Week 2 last year, Chatman was second among Northshore area rushers with 273 yards on 33 carries with four TDs.

Nate Sheppard, 5-10, 180, Jr., Mandeville

Rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 16 player in Louisiana and the No. 42 running back in the country by 247Sports. Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh have offered. Totaled 1,715 all-purpose yards with 25 TDs in 2022. Younger brother of Vanderbilt receiver Will Sheppard.

Nate Sheppard's mother (volleyball) and father (football) were student-athletes at Louisiana Tech. Scored six TDs with 118 rushing and 158 receiving yards in a one-point loss to Hahnville.

Xavier Ford, 5-11, 190, Jr., Leesville

Cousin of former Leesville and LSU running back Michael Ford. Rushed for 2,518 yards on 352 carries with 32 TDs for a team that went 10-3 and reached the Division II non-select quarterfinals. Gained 372 yards in a playoff win against Pearl River. Suffered a concussion in the second round of the playoffs and missed the quarterfinal game versus Iowa.

Jordan Hayes, 5-9, 190, Jr., Ruston

Rushed for 1,104 yards on 123 carries with nine TDs while splitting time with senior Dyson Fields. Grambling State has offered. Nickname is "Jet." Gained 171 yards on eight rushes with two TDs in a 48-7 homecoming rout of West Ouachita.

According to T. Scott Boatwright of the Lincoln Parish Journal, Hayes' father and a pair of uncles were star players at Ruston.

Decareyn Sampson, 5-10, 175, Sr., Avoyelles Parish

Gained 2,256 yards on 183 carries with 29 TDs despite sharing touches with two other 1,000-yard rushers for a team that went 9-4 and reached the Division III non-select quarterfinals. As a sophomore, propelled the Mustangs to the semifinals with 1,333 yards and 16 TDs on 121 carries (11 yards per carry).

Kameron Thomas, 5-10, 190, Sr., Zachary

Averaged 7.7 yards per carry while rushing for 597 yards and seven scores in a backfield that featured a senior tailback and dual-threat quarterback Eli Holstein. Carried 23 times for 169 yards in a 40-21 Week 2 win over John Curtis Christian. Helped the Broncos to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Division I non-select semifinals.

Kayden Tureaud, 5-10, 210, Sr., Parkview Baptist

Arkansas State has offered Tureaud, who ran for 1,073 yards and 16 TDs in the 2022 regular season. Rushed for 258 yards and three TDs on 24 carries in the 10th-seeded Eagles upset of No. 7 North Caddo in the Division III select playoffs. Led Parkview Baptist to a 10-3 mark and a quarterfinal berth.

Greg Manning, 5-9, 160, Sr., Benton

Manning had a game for the ages in a 78-71 shootout win against district rival Haughton, rushing for seven TDs and catching another. Also an all-state basketball player.

Accounted for three TDs - two rushing and one receiving - in eighth-seeded Benton's 41-7 Division I non-select playoff win over Ponchatoula. Ran for two TDs in a Week 1 win versus Northwood-Shreveport. Finished his junior year with 1,452 yards and 26 TDs.

Tony Lewis, 5-9, 190, Sr., Madison Prep

Lewis scored the only touchdown in his team's 6-0 Division II select second-round playoff win versus St. Louis Catholic. Has played a pivotal role in the long-term success of the Chargers, who have reached the quarterfinals five straight years.

Ran for 106 yards on 19 carries - accounting for 40% of the total yards gained by both teams - in the St. Louis game, according to Patrick Wright of The Advocate.

Jaidyn Martin, 5-10, 170, Sr., Archbishop Rummel

Accounted for 124 of his team's 201 rushing yards in a 42-28 win over Ouachita Parish. As a sophomore, scampered for a 7-yard score to push the Raiders to a 12-11 win against Slidell. Caught a 79-yard screen pass from Casey Avrard with 1:26 remaining in last year's 17-14 win against University Lab.

Jayce Johnson, 5-10, 170, Sr., Terrebonne

Nickname is "Boogie." Ran for 137 yards on 23 attempts in a 27-21 rivalry win versus South Terrebonne. Carried five times for 39 yards and scored a TD in the spring game vs. McDonogh #35. With four-star LSU receiver commit Kylan Billiot drawing attention from defenses, Johnson should find ample space in the ground game.

JaTerrius Johnson, 5-8, 175, Sr., West Feliciana

Named WAFB Sportsline Player of the Week after rushing for 99 yards and scoring the first touchdown for West Feliciana in a come-from-behind win over Plaquemine. Helped the Saints to a 13-1 mark and a berth in the Division II non-select semifinals.

Barry Remo, 5-9, 185, Sr., Catholic-Baton Rouge

Ran for 293 yards and four TDs on 28 carries in the Bears' win over St. Thomas More. Remo's heroics were pivotal against St. Thomas More, which suffered its only loss of the season.

Totaled more than 1,000 yards rushing before a season-ending injury. Rated as a three-star prospect by On3.

Rejohn Zeno, 5-10, 170, Jr., Jennings

The latest in a long line of standout running backs out of Jennings High, Zeno clocked the fastest 40-yard dash (4.53) and the fastest shuttle (4.18) at the Gridiron Football Elite Camp.

Jaylon Nichols, 5-11, 185, Jr., Neville

Led the Tigers to the No. 2 seed in the Division I non-select bracket by rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 TDs.

Riley Small, 6-0, 190, Sr., University Lab

Cubs offensive coordinator Aaron Vice said Small's numbers from last year should skyrocket with a much-improved offensive line led by the nation's No. 3 player in the Class of 2026, Lamar Brown. Small carried 81 times for 388 yards and six TDs in 2022.

Shanga Charles, 5-8, 185, Jr., New Iberia

Charles, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 10 games as a sophomore, should see even more daylight running behind mammoth offensive linemen Xavier Mogerman (6-3, 305) and Landon Harmon (6-2, 315).

Candidates for a Breakout Season

Ke'rynn Smith, 5-9, 185, So., Holy Cross

Rushed for 391 yards and seven TDs in eight games as a freshman. Was a member of the Tigers' championship 4 x 100 and 4 X 200 relay teams.

Montrell Conner, 5-10, 150, So., St. Frederick

Listed as a quarterback, Conner can play a variety of positions. His father, Montrell Conner Sr., was a running back at Mississippi State. Placed first in the 110-meter hurdles at the Class 1A state track meet as a freshman.

Jamarlon Otis, 5-7, 175, Jr., Captain Shreve

Ran for 500 yards and seven TDs as part of a backfield that featured two senior tailbacks.

JT Lindsey, 5-11, 190, Jr., Alexandria

Texas State has offered Lindsey, who has 4.48 speed in the 40-yard dash with a 10.85 in the 100 meters. Nickname is "Showtime." The Trojans should have a balanced, explosive offense with quarterback Ty Feaster, receiver Amyrion Mingo and Lindsey.

Sydney Harris, 5-9, 205, Jr./Jordan West, 5-8, 175, Sr., Brother Martin

Harris and West combined for 900 yards rushing in injury-shortened seasons for the Division I select runner-up Crusaders. 

Trevel Watts, 5-7, 180, Sr., Slidell

Watts is determined to make the most of his senior season, if his performance in Slidell's recent jamboree is any indication. He rushed for 146 yards on just five carries and scored both Slidell TDs in a win against Lakeshore.

Photo of Many's Jeremiah James (7) by Parker Waters