Top 10 Texas high school football runnning backs who can make huge impacts

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The oldest formula to football success, the running game, still remains true today. Special players with the ability to shed tackles and the speed to run away from others are still in high demand.

Here is a look at Texas running backs that can make an impact on the 2016 season:

1. Kennedy Brooks, Mansfield, 6-0, 197, Sr.

Since assuming the starting tailback role as a sophomore, Brooks has shown superb productivity and remarkable durability. Stepping up after an injury to the starter as a sophomore, he finished with 1,271 yards and 14 touchdowns. Last year he helped the Tigers reach the Class 6A-DII state semifinals with 3,522 yards and 42 touchdowns on 431 carries. After two games this season he has 450 yards and six touchdowns, upping his career carry total to 651 in the process. Brooks has had numerous college offers but is yet to make a selection.

2. Toneil Carter, Langham Creek (Houston), 6-0, 210, Sr.

Since breaking into the starting lineup as a sophomore, Carter has amassed 2,588 yards and 36 touchdowns. Carter scored 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,400 yards in his first varsity season, leading the Lobos to an unbeaten run to a district title. Although Langham Creek dropped to 5-5 last fall, the University of Georgia pledge still went over 1,000 yards with a combination of speed, strength and vision.

3. JK Dobbins, La Grange, 5-9, 185, Sr.

The injury bug bit in the Leopards' season opener when Dobbins suffered an ankle injury that coach Matt Kates said would sideline his star ballcarrier for several weeks. As a junior, Dobbins in the regular season plus one playoff game rushed for 2,740 yards and 35 touchdowns. Kates was already calling Dobbins the most dynamic player he had coached following a 2,243-yard 37-touchdown sophomore campaign. The Ohio State commit is the son of Lawrence Dobbins, a former La Grange star.

4. Eno Benjamin, Wylie East, 5-10, 210, Sr.

College recruiters took note of Benjamin when as a sophomore he rushed for 1,724 yards and 25 touchdowns. He followed it up with 43 touchdowns last fall with 2,652 rushing yards and 256 more as a receiver. In each season the Raiders advanced to the playoffs, going to the second round last fall. So far this season the University of Iowa pledge has rushed for 156 yards and two scores.

5. Deondrick Glass, Katy, 5-10, 165, So.

The latest in a long line of outstanding Katy tailbacks is off to a great start this fall. In the Tigers' first two games, Glass has 45 carries for 428 yards and seven touchdowns. In the run-oriented system of head coach Gary Joseph, Glass will not be lacking for opportunities to show his speed behind a well-trained offensive line.

6. Dominic Williams, Independence (Frisco), 5-10, 185, Sr.

Before transferring to Independence for his senior season, Williams helped Parish Episcopal (Dallas) to a 10-2 season and the regional semifinals of the TAPPS state playoffs. As a sophomore, Williams led Parish to a D-II state title with 2,365 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns. In his first two games at Independence, the University of Kansas commit has rushed for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

7. Stanley Hackett, Sam Rayburn (Pasadena), 6-3, 193, Jr.

Since stepping on campus as a freshman, Hackett has been extremely productive. He took district newcomer of the year honors as a freshman with a 1,176-yard, 11-touchdown campaign and followed it up with another 1,000-yard season as a sophomore. In two games this fall, the rangy Texas Tech pledge has 61 carries for 544 yards and four touchdowns.

8. Travell Lumpkin, Steele (Cibolo), 5-11, 200, Sr.

The physical running style of Lumpkin is a good fit for the ball-control attack preferred by Steele coach Scott Lehnhoff. A year ago, he rushed for 1,016 yards and 16 touchdowns in the Knights' run to the 6A-DII state semifinals. Lumpkin has had several college offers including in-state opportunities from Texas Tech and Houston.

9. Samuel Davis IV, Lee (San Antonio), 5-10, 210, Sr.

In just seven games as a junior, Davis made a strong impression 1,113 rushing yards, 221 receiving yards and 17 combined touchdowns. In his team's 1-0 start this year, Davis on seven carries averaged 13 yards and scored a touchdown.

10. Kemoche' Hobbs, La Vega (Waco), 5-8, 170, Jr.

A sampling of Hobbs' talent was on display in the Class 4A-DI state title game last December when as a sophomore he carried 23 times for 136 yards and three touchdowns in the Pirates' 33-31 victory over Argyle. He was named the game's offensive MVP. Hobbs will also see action on defense at strong safety this season.