Vote: Who will be the top West Virginia AAAA running back of 2024?

We give you eight candidates to select from

The quality of running back play in West Virginia was on full display in the 2023 season in every classification. That’s because the state is filled with running backs who can change games with either their running abilities, catching the ball or both.

There’s no shortage of talented running backs in West Virginia, which makes it hard to pick just one as the best in the area. 

So here at SBLive Sports West Virginia, we’re asking you, the fans, to decide. 

Vote now on who is the top AAAA running back in West Virginia for 2024. Voting closes March 28, 2024.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other players who may not be mentioned in our poll. 

Here are the nominees: 

Keegan Sack, Huntington: The 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back had himself a strong 2023 campaign for the Highlanders. He helped lift the club to an 11-2 record and he has offers from schools like Air Force, Appalachian State, Marshall and Maryland. 

D’Edrick Graves, Huntington: Graves will combine with Sack to create a lethal 1-2 punch in the backfield for Huntington. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound back is a tough take down for any would be defender. 

Tay’Shaun Roper, Jefferson: Roper had a solid 2023 campaign running the ball. As a junior, the running back carried the ball 122 times for 725 yards, scoring seven touchdowns. He also caught 17 catches for 291 yards and three scores. 

Amare Johnson, Wheeling Park: One of the state’s top backs from a season ago was Johnson. As a sophomore starter, the running back carried the ball 157 times for 952 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

AJ Thomas, Morgantown: Not many backs showed the kind of versatility Thomas did at the position. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound back carried the ball 95 times for 642 yds and scored 15 touchdowns. Also had 16 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown. 

Sai’Vyon Brown, George Washington: Seeing just minimal time for the Patriots last season, Brown should be one of the best heading into 2024. The running back rushed for 126 yards and scored three touchdowns last season. 

Kylan Grace, Hurricane: The running back was instrumental in helping the Redskins’ run game one of the best in West Virginia. Grace rushed for 509 yards on 76 attempts and scored eight touchdowns. 

Eli Bartley, Parkersburg South: Bartley was the third leading rusher for the Patriots last season, but will return with the most experience in 2024. The running back rushed for 315 yards and scored five touchdowns in 2023. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports