Top 10 Alabama high school running backs tearing it up in 2023

See which tailbacks have had the biggest impact on the 2023 Alabama high school football season so far

We're a quarter of the way through the 2023 Alabama high school football season, and it's time to recognize some of the players who have set the state on fire through the first four games.

Today, we'll take a look at the top 10 running backs to watch. Players on this list are either highly touted college recruits or have been incredibly productive for their respective team so far this season. (This list is in alphabetical order)

Top 10 Alabama Running Backs to Watch

J’marion Burnette, SR, Andalusia Bulldogs

Few tailback prospects in Alabama come as highly touted as the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Auburn commit. The four-star prospect (according to 247sports) has picked up right where he left off in his sophomore and junior year, when he rushed for nearly 3,500 yards.

Playmaker Sports 2024 RB J’Marion Burnett from Andalusia High School during the Bulldogs Red vs. White spring game!!! #Playmaker pic.twitter.com/zGtMiuOgrm

— Roderick Burden (@Plymker_Sports) May 14, 2021

Jayden Gilbert, SR, Clements Colts

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Gilbert was dynamite in the first two games of the season for Clements, rushing for 645 yards and eight touchdowns. Don’t let his size fool you, either: Gilbert was an elite defensive back last year, and still plays both ways when Clements needs him.

Alvin Henderson, JR, Elba Tigers

It would be hard to keep up the kind of production Elba’s 5-foot-10, 200-pound back has accounted for through the first quarter of the season, but even harder to argue with the results. His worst performance in four games? Rushing for 191 yards on 18 carries with four touchdowns in a Week 1 win over New Brockton.

Tennessee is a huge player for Deuce Knight, which may help them with RB Alvin Henderson.

Henderson recently said that he wants to team up with Knight in college.

The tape is insane 👀 pic.twitter.com/LCmtpSzJMm

— Evan Crowell (@evanvcrowell) August 16, 2023

Kamore Harris, SR, B.B. Comer Tigers

There’s not much to dislike about Harris as a college prospect. He’s a 6-foot and 235 pounds between-the-tackles runner who is currently rated as a three-star player by 247sports.com. He hasn’t been asked to carry a big load during the 4-0 start for the Tigers, averaging just 10 carries a game. But he’s averaging 13.7 yards on those 40 carries, and has accounted for 13 total touchdowns. He’s currently committed to the University of Memphis.

In the lab working on my footwork with @CoachL__ Ⓜ️ pic.twitter.com/1ApbCiWupq

— Kamore (MOE) Harris (@KamoreHarris) July 7, 2023

A.J. Lowe, JR, Sulligent Blue Devils

The Blue Devils are off to a 4-0 start, and their explosive, 6-foot 205-pound back has been a key piece of their early success. In the first quarter of the season, he’s rushed for 687 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging better than 11.1 yards per carry.

Kolton Nero, SR, Foley Lions

Foley’s 6-foot-1, 215-pound back has lit up opposing defenses through the first four games of the season. Despite a 2-2 start for Foley, he’s averaging 241 yards and three touchdowns a game. He recently received a scholarship offer from UAB.

great 🏈 camp at @AuburnFootball @CoachDavisWR @CoachCaddy24 @CoachJohnston2 @CoachParkerFHS @Fredric38448234 pic.twitter.com/2KcQl47ICJ

— Kolton Nero (@KoltonNero) June 5, 2023

Cameron Phinizee, SO, Russellville Golden Tigers

The only sophomore on our list is also one of the most dynamic backs. At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Russellville’s rising star has piled up 862 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns through four games, averaging better than 12 yards a carry for the 4-0 Golden Tigers.

11 carries 230 yards 5 touchdowns in 1st half pic.twitter.com/aDfdzuQIyf

— Cameron phinizee (@CameronPhinizee) September 18, 2023

Kevin Riley, SR, Tuscaloosa County Wildcats

The Miami Hurricanes got a commitment from the Class of 2024, four-star prospect back in June, and they will be lucky to keep him. At 5-11 and 195 pounds, Riley is currently ranked as the ninth-best prospect at any position in the state by 247sports.com.

Kevin Riley (@kevin_riley6) 6-0 192 Tuscaloosa Co HS (Tuscaloosa, Ala) 2024 RB

A quick RB with great vision. He also has good hands out of the backfield. A power five guy who is aggressive running the ball.

Has an offer from Arkansas. pic.twitter.com/alTmcIVK5p

— Rion (Ree-un) Young (@MacCorleone74) October 15, 2022

Mason Teague, SR, Southside (Gadsden) Panthers

He may not have the big-time scholarship offers some of these other guys have, but the production is undeniable. Through four games, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior has amassed more than 800 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

OUR RB1 😤

RB Mason Teague has been UNSTOPPABLE through the first TWO weeks of the season! @CoachMHolcomb @CoachJBowen @shankles_turner @DexPreps @UnLockYourGame

His Junior Season Tape➡️ https://t.co/gS5nGpwRPQ#SouthsideFootball #SVE pic.twitter.com/JeuvVmGcyl

— Southside Football (@Southside_FBall) September 3, 2023

T.J. Worthy, JR, Gadsden City Titans

Gadsden City has an emerging star with its 5-foot-10, 175-pound feature back. Through three games, Worthy had already amassed 453 yards on 49 carries (a 9.2-yard average) with nine touchdowns.

PLAYER TO WATCH 📈

25’ RB TJ Worthy (@TjWorthy5 ) Gadsden City (Ala.)

Worthy is one of those under the radar guys that just produces with the ball in his hands. Solid in space and really effective in between the tackles. @gctitansfb @raveryjr @DexPreps @AL6AFootball pic.twitter.com/FjyeQMg6qb

— UnLockYourGame (@UnLockYourGame) July 3, 2023