Roger Bacon High School running back Corey Kiner highlights
Watch the LSU recruit and Top 10 running back prospect nationally in action during his junior year.
Archie Griffin, Tony Dorsett, Red Grange, Jerome Bettis, Marion Motley, Mark Ingram and Larry Csonka. The Great Lakes states have produced several notable running backs. Below is the latest batch. Too early to tell if there are any Hall of Famers or Heisman winners here, but the talent is undeniable.
Heading into the 2020 high school football season, these are 12 of the top running backs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All player rankings referenced are according to 247sports.com.
Who is the best? You tell us. Vote in the poll below to support your RB. Voting closes at noon (EST) on June 4. You may vote as many times as you like.
We will release additional positional "Difference Makers" articles over the next two weeks. The pieces are a precursor to the Great Lakes Preseason Football Teams, which will be unveiled in June.
Edwardsville running back Justin Johnson is Illinois’ No. 8 overall prospect and a Top 30 running back prospect nationally. Looking for his third straight 1,000-yard season.
Photo by Jimmy Simmons
GREAT LAKES REGION RUNNING BACKS 2020
Wisconsin commit is the state's No. 3 overall prospect and the country's 31st ranked running back prospect. Ran for 929 yards and 11 touchdowns in eight games last year. Was second in the discus and ninth in the shot put at the 2019 WIAA Division I state track meet.
Jaylen Anderson, Perry (Ohio), 5-11, 212, 2021West Virginia commit is Ohio’s No. 9 overall prospect and the country’s 17th ranked running back prospect. Ran for 1,086 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 883 yards and 11 touchdowns last season en route to being named first team OPSWA D-IV All-Ohio. Has 2,642 career rushing yards and 34 touchdowns and 1,642 career receiving yards and 29 touchdowns. Chose the Mountaineers over Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pitt, Louisville and Georgia Tech.
Stephan Byrd, Canal Winchester (Ohio), 6-0, 195, 2022Ohio’s No. 5 overall 2022 prospect and the country’s 19th ranked running back prospect. Had 1,704 all-purpose yards (1,499 rushing) and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore. Holds 10 offers, including Minnesota, Iowa State, Cincinnati, Michigan and West Virginia.
Loyal Crawford, Eau Claire Memorial (Eau Claire, Wis.), 6-0, 190, 2021Wisconsin commit is the state’s No. 4 overall prospect and a Top 50 running back prospect nationally. Looking to rebound from a junior season that was limited to five games due to injury. Still rushed for 671 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Donovan Edwards, West Bloomfield (Mich.), 5-11, 190, 2021No. 2 overall prospect in Michigan and the country’s No. 2 running back prospect. Rushed for 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns and had 419 yards receiving with five touchdowns last season. Holds 44 offers including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Oklahoma and Penn State.
Hillcrest running back Mar'Keise Irving is Illinois’ No. 6 overall prospect and the country’s No. 18 running back prospect. Minnesota commit.
Photo by Dean Reid
Illinois’ No. 6 overall prospect and the country’s No. 18 running back prospect. Rushed for 1,733 yards and 22 touchdowns and added 405 yards receiving and four touchdowns last season. Minnesota commit holds 24 offers, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue, TCU, Utah and Wisconsin.
Justin Johnson, Edwardsville (Ill.), 5-11, 190, 2021Illinois’ No. 8 overall prospect and a Top 30 running back prospect nationally. Looking for his third straight 1,000-yard season. Has 37 career touchdowns. Holds 16 offers, including Illinois, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Michigan State and Louisville.
Corey Kiner, Roger Bacon (Cincinnati, Ohio), 5-10, 205, 2021Ohio’s No. 7 overall prospect and the country’s No. 10 running back prospect. Ran for 2,298 yards and 40 touchdowns last season. Holds 20-plus offers, including Louisville, Cincinnati, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, USC and Wisconsin. Committed to LSU. First team Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) D-IV All-Ohio.
Orrville running back Marquael Parks is on pace to become Ohio's all-time leader in touchdowns. Has 121 and the record is 133.
Photo by Jeff Harwell
Two-time first team OPSWA D-V All-Ohio owns 121 career touchdowns, which ranks second all-time in Ohio history. Should break the record (133) next season. Had 3,089 all-purpose yards, including 2,285 rushing, this season. Scored 43 touchdowns (rushing, receiving, kick return and fumble return). Defensively had four interceptions. Holds nine offers, including Purdue, Cincinnati, Army, Ohio, Temple and Toledo. Top 25 Ohio prospect and Top 50 athlete prospect nationally.
Gi'Bran Payne, La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio), 5-11, 190, 2022Ohio’s No. 7 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 25 running back prospect nationally. Ran for 790 yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns last season for OHSAA D-II state champs. Holds 12 offers including Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern, Indiana, Cincinnati, Purdue and Minnesota.
LaSalle running back Gi'Bran Payne scored 12 touchdowns last year for the OHSAA Division II state champions.
Photo by Tim Ashcraft
Pennsylvania’s No 4 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 10 running back prospect nationally. Looking for third straight 1,000-yard season. Rushed for 1,690 yards and 32 touchdowns last year. Owns 25 offers including Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, USC, Pitt and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 5A All-State.
Dillon Tatum, West Bloomfield (Mich.), 5-11, 180, 2022Michigan’s No. 5 overall 2022 prospect and a Top 25 running back prospect nationally. Holds 27 offers, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Miami (Fla.) and Florida.
