Vote: Who Is Wisconsin High School Football's Top Returning Running Back Entering the 2026 Season?

Wisconsin enters the 2026 high school football season with one of its deepest returning classes of running backs in recent memory. From reigning state champions to dynamic downfield playmakers, these 20 players have already proven they can respond with the tough, hard-fought yards with the game on the line. Now it's your turn to decide who deserves the title of the state's best.

There are hundreds of outstanding football players across Wisconsin, and these lists are intended to spotlight some of the state's top returning athletes—not serve as a comprehensive ranking of every deserving player.

Voting remains open until Aug. 24 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This list was compiled using information from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, 247sports.com, and Bound.com.

(Players are listed in alphabetical order and all stats/accolades are from the 2025 season; the poll is below the list of players.)

Kingston Allen, Notre Dame Academy, senior

The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association first-team all-state selection rushed for a state-record breaking 3,436 yards and 57 touchdowns as Notre Dame Academy won the Fox River Classic Conference (South Division), advanced to the WIAA Division 2 state championship game, and finished the season with a 13-1 overall record.

Jay Bayliss-Hooker, Oak Creek, junior

The All-Southeast Conference first-team selection rushed for 924 yards and 13 touchdowns as Oak Creek placed fourth in league and advanced to the first round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs.

Kamaria Carter, Madison West, senior

The All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection rushed for 712 yards and seven touchdowns as Madison West placed third in league and advanced to the first round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs.

Jebari Craig, Arrowhead, senior

The talented, versatile leader rushed for 785 yards and 11 touchdowns as Arrowhead placed second in the Classic 8 Conference, won the WIAA Division 1 state championship, and finished the season with a 13-1 overall record.

Calum Crist, Darlington, senior

The WFCA all-state honorable mention selection rushed for 852 yards and seven touchdowns as Darlington won the SWAL title, a WIAA Division 6 state championship, and finished the season with a 14-0 overall record.

Aidan Devine, New Berlin West, senior

The All-Parkland Conference first-team selection rushed for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns as New Berlin West placed second in the league, advanced to the first round of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs, and finished the season with a 7-3 overall record.

Bryson Hoeffler, Muskego, junior

The All-Classic 8 Conference second-team selection rushed for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns as Muskego won the league title, advanced to the WIAA Division 1 state championship game, and finished the season with an 11-2 overall record.

Jack Hoeper, Spencer-Columbus Catholic, senior

The All-Central Wisconsin Conference (Large Division) first-team selection rushed for 1,729 yards and 23 touchdowns as Spencer-Columbus Catholic placed third in the league and advanced to the second round of the WIAA Division 5 playoffs.

Reece Joten, Little Chute, senior

The WFCA all-state honorable mention rushed for 1,793 yards and 22 touchdowns as Little Chute won the North Eastern Conference title, advanced to the WIAA Division 4 state championship game, and finished the season with a 12-2 overall record.

Christopher Kenesie, Kenosha St. Joseph, senior

The WFCA first-team all-state selection rushed for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns as Kenosha St. Joseph won the Midwest Classic Conference (Small Division) title, a WIAA Division 7 state championship, and finished the season with a 14-0 overall record.

Lateef Love Jr., Whitefish Bay, senior

The All-North Shore Conference second-team selection rushed for 1,402 yards and 12 touchdowns as Whitefish Bay tied for fifth place in the league and advanced to the WIAA Division 3 state semifinals.

Jack Nelson, Grafton, senior

The All-Woodland Conference first-team selection rushed for 1,931 yards and 26 touchdowns as Grafton won the league title, claimed a WIAA Division 3 state championship, and finished the season with a 14-0 overall record.

Ayden Nerdahl, Amery, senior

The WFCA first-team all-state selection rushed for 1,839 yards and 34 touchdowns as Amherst placed second in the Central Wisconsin Conference (Large Division), advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 5 playoffs, and finished the season with a 10-2 overall record.

Jax Pesch, Waterford, senior

The All-Southern Lakes Conference second-team selection rushed for 1,238 yards and 12 touchdowns as Waterford placed fourth in the league and advanced to the first round of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs.

Kolton Peters, Coleman, senior

The All-Northwoods Conference first-team selection rushed for 1,395 yards and 17 touchdowns as Coleman placed second in the league, advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 7 playoffs, and finished the season with a 9-3 overall record.

Joe Promersberger, Mayville, senior

The All-Flyway Conference second-team selection rushed for 831 yards and 14 touchdowns as Mayville won the league title, claimed a WIAA Division 5 state championship, and finished the season with a 14-0 overall record.

Brayden Schroeder, Sussex Hamilton, senior

The All-Greater Metro Conference first-team selection rushed for 996 yards and 10 touchdowns as Sussex Hamilton earned a share of the league title, advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs, and finished the season with a 9-3 overall record.

Tysen Teal, Northwestern, senior

The WFCA first-team all-state selection rushed for 1,887 yards and 37 touchdowns as Northwestern won the Heart O' North Conference title, advanced to the WIAA Division 5 state championship game, and finished the season with a 13-1 overall record.

Devon Williams Jr., Catholic Memorial, senior

The All-Parkland Conference first-team selection rushed for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns as Catholic Memorial won the league title, advanced to the WIAA Division 3 state semifinals, and finished the season with an 11-2 overall record.

Austyn Wittek, New Richmond, senior

The WFCA first-team all-state selection rushed for 1,853 yards and 31 touchdowns as New Richmond tied for second place in the Big Rivers Conference, advanced to the second round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs, and finished the season with an 8-3 overall record.

About Our Player Poll Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.

-- Jeff Hagenau | jeffreyhagenau@gmail.com

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