Previewing the 2023 high school football season: Taylor Tatum, Jerrick Gibson headline top 10 running backs

Earlier this week, we kicked off our position-by-position breakdown of the 2023 high school football season starting with quarterbacks.

Running backs are next, led by Taylor Tatum of Longview (Texas). He's the first of three players selected from the Lone Star State. Caden Durham of Duncanville and James Peoples of Veterans Memorial (San Antonio) join Tatum.

Florida is the other state with multiple selections, both from the same team, as Jerrick Gibson and Anthony Rogers will handle the rock for IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). California, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio and Washington all had one.

The only non-seniors selected were Jordon Davison of Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and Rogers, both from the Class of 2025.

1. Taylor Tatum, Longview (Texas)

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 205

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while leading the Lobos to a 14-1 record. A MaxPreps Junior All-America selection, he's the top-rated running back in the Class of 2024 on 247Sports. Tatum is also a baseball standout and was recently a first team all-district selection.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 200

Status: Committed to Texas | Class: Senior (2024)

Big-play running back leads the way for the most talented backfield in the country. He averaged nearly eight yards per carry as a junior playing against elite competition and expect another big year for the second-rated running back in his class.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Junior (2025)

Led the Monarchs in rushing last season with 1,514 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's a MaxPreps Sophomore All-America first-team choice who should have another monster season for the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195

Status: Committed to Michigan | Class: Senior (2024)

Was a first-team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad after rushing for 1,951 yards and 34 touchdowns. The four-star running back led the Fighting Crusaders to the Division 1 semifinals and a 13-2 record.

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 180

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Helped Panthers win their first state title since 1998, rushing for 102 yards and three scores in the 28-21 win over North Shore (Houston) in the 6A Division 1 state championship. He was a first team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad after rushing for 1,960 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 180

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

The WCAC Player of the Year in 2022 after a big junior season, he's one of the main reasons why the Falcons begin the season at No. 22 in the MaxPreps Top 25. He was a second-team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 205

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Rushed for 1,600-plus yards and 21 touchdowns while leading the Fighting Irish to 10-2 record and berth in the 3A semifinals. He was a second-team MaxPreps Junior All-American.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 195

Status: Committed to Ohio State | Class: Senior (2024)

Named the Texas District 13-5A II Co-MVP last season after accounting for 2,338 total yards and 34 touchdowns.

Height: 5-8 | Weight: 195

Status: Committed to Alabama | Class: Junior (2025)

Has been selected to the MaxPreps Freshman and Sophomore All-America teams in back-to-back years after two productive seasons at Pike Road (Ala.). He enters his junior campaign with 2,765 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns to go with 23 receptions for 620 yards and eight more scores. Rogers also has four return scores on special teams.

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 175

Status: Uncommitted | Class: Senior (2024)

Helped the Trojans reach the AAAAAAA state championship game racking up 1,623 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns while adding 60 receptions for 751 yards and 10 scores. Hicks was a first-team selection on the MaxPreps Junior All-America squad.