Ohio high school football 2024 | Top 10 Canton-area running backs to watch
As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season, we're breaking down the top players by position. Throughout the preseason, we're ranking the top 10 Greater Canton quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players.
Today, we look at the top 10 running backs, starting with a pair of seniors: Canton McKinley's Nino Hill and Massillon's Ja'Meir Gamble.
1, Nino Hill
Canton McKinley, Class of 2025
What to know: The Buffalo recruit rushed for 928 yards (5.7 a carry) and 12 touchdowns last season, down a bit from his breakthrough sophomore season when he ran for 1,067 yards (7.4 a carry) and 16 TDs. It's a good problem to have, but McKinley must find a way to blend in the 6-foot, 210-pound Hill and all its playmakers, and Hill and all those playmakers must find purpose in the collective good.
2, Ja'Meir Gamble
Massillon, Class of 2025
What to know: There might not be a faster back in Stark County than the 5-10, 185-pound Gamble. His role on offense grew last season to the point he actually led the Tigers' devastating ground attack in carries, rushing 142 times for 948 yards and five TDs. This season, he leads another loaded Massillon backfield.
3, Jamar Johnson
Canton McKinley, Class of 2025
What to know: The Bulldogs add a second team All-Ohio running back, who is the area's leading returning rusher, to their already talented group of ball carriers. The 5-10, 200-pound Johnson rushed for 1,315 yards at 6.8 a carry and seven TDs for GlenOak last season, actually helping the Golden Eagles knock off McKinley 7-3 in Week 9.
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4, Boston Mulinix
West Branch, Class of 2025
What to know: Mulinix's 19 rushing touchdowns were the second most in the area last year as his hard running complemented the Warriors' potent aerial attack (he also caught a pair of TDs). He rushed for 1,186 yards at 7.5 per carry in gaining All-Ohio second team and comes in off the high of helping the West Branch baseball team win a state championship in the spring. The 5-7, 190-pound Mulinix's 41 rushing TDs, 44 TDs overall and 270 points are all West Branch career records.
5, Peytton Mitchell
Massillon, Class of 2025
What to know: The punishing 6-2, 210-pound Mitchell was on track for a big junior season when he got derailed by injury. He finished with 444 yards at 6.3 a carry and two TDs. It will be interesting to see how he's utilized this season in a really deep Tigers' running game.
6, Jerome Cox
GlenOak, Class of 2025
What to know: The bruising Cox returns to Plain Township after a season at Canton South that saw him help Poochie Snyder and the Wildcats to a Division IV state semifinal. He rushed for 1,081 yards at 6.6 a carry and 14 TDs last year. At 6-1, 220 pounds, Cox could be a workhorse for a GlenOak offense with Adrion Burt at the controls.
7, Parker Kraft
Northwest, Class of 2025
What to know: Kraft was the second option last year behind 1,400-yard rusher Connor Satterfield. The 5-7, 165-pound Kraft did just fine for himself, rushing for 844 yards at 7.9 a carry and seven TDs. He added 18 receptions for 226 yards. Look for Kraft to be a major weapon for Northwest.
8, Xion Culver
Canton South, Class of 2026
What to know: The Wildcats are excited about what could be in store for Culver as a junior. He burst onto the varsity scene with 820 yards at 6.3 a carry and 11 TDs as a freshman. He then saw his usage drop to 477 yards at 5.6 a carry and six TDs last year with Cox's emergence. The 5-8, 185-pound Culver should be a focal point for South this year.
9, Peter Killy
Fairless, Class of 2025
What to know: After making a nice impact as a sophomore (rushing for 810 yards and 11 TDs) for the 2022 Falcons, Killy's junior season didn't go as planned. He missed six games due to injury, finishing with 468 yards (at 5.9 a carry) and four TDs. He added one receiving TD. Now a senior, the 5-10, 170-pound Killy should step into a central role for Fairless.
10, Joey Medure
Tuslaw, Class of 2026
What to know: Broc Dial will have a nice piece to build around on offense as he settles in as Tuslaw's head coach. The 5-5, 155-pound Medure, who enters his third season of varsity football, ran for 881 yards at 4.2 a carry and six TDs last year as a sophomore. He added 15 receptions for 168 yards.
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On X: @jweirREP
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Greater Canton high school football's 10 running backs to watch
