As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season, we analyze the best players by position. During the preseason, we rank the top 10 quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players from Greater Canton.
Today we look at the top 10 running backs, starting with two seniors: Nino Hill of Canton McKinley and Ja’Meir Gamble of Massillon.
1, Nino Hill
Canton McKinley, Class of 2025
What you should know: The Buffalo recruit rushed for 928 yards (5.7 per carry) and 12 touchdowns last season, slightly less than his sophomore season when he rushed for 1,067 yards (7.4 per carry) and 16 TDs. That’s a good problem to have, but McKinley needs to find a way to connect with the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Hill and all of his playmakers, and Hill and all of those playmakers need to find their purpose in the greater good.
2, Ja’Meir Gamble
Massillon, Class of 2025
What you should know: There may not be a faster running back in Stark County than the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Gamble. His role on offense grew so much last season that he actually led the Tigers’ devastating ground offense, rushing 142 times for 948 yards and five touchdowns. This season, he leads another crowded backfield in Massillon.
3. Jamar Johnson
Canton McKinley, Class of 2025
What you should know: The Bulldogs add a second-team All-Ohio running back, the region’s best returning runner, to their already talented group of ball carriers. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Johnson rushed for 1,315 yards at 6.8 per carry and seven touchdowns for GlenOak last season, helping the Golden Eagles to a 7-3 win over McKinley in Week 9.
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4, Boston Mulinix
West Branch, Class of 2025
What you should know: Mulinix’s 19 rushing touchdowns were second-most in the region last year as his hard running complemented the Warriors’ strong aerial attack (he also caught two TDs). He rushed for 1,186 yards at 7.5 per carry and was named to the All-Ohio second team. He helped the West Branch baseball team win the state championship in the spring. The 5-foot-7, 195-pound Mulinix’s 41 rushing TDs, 44 total TDs and 270 points are all career highs for West Branch.
5. Peyton Mitchell
Massillon, Class of 2025
What you should know: The 6’2″, 215-pound Mitchell was on his way to a great junior season when an injury sidelined him. He finished the season with 444 yards at 6.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized this season in the Tigers’ really strong running game.
6. Jerome Cox
GlenOak, Class of 2025
What you should know: The hard-hitting Cox returns to Plain Township after a season at Canton South in which he helped Poochie Snyder and the Wildcats to the Division IV semifinals. Last year, he rushed for 1,081 yards at 6.6 yards per carry and 14 TDs. At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Cox could be a workhorse for the GlenOak offense with Adrion Burt at the helm.
7, Parker Power
Northwest, Class of 2025
What you should know: Kraft was the second overall pick last year behind Connor Satterfield, who had 1,400 yards on the field. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Kraft did well, running for 844 yards at 7.9 per carry and seven touchdowns. He also caught 18 balls for 226 yards. Expect Kraft to be a key weapon for Northwest.
8, Xion Culver
Canton South, Class of 2026
What you should know: The Wildcats are excited to see what Culver does as a junior. He burst onto the college scene as a freshman with 820 yards on 6.3 per carry and 11 TDs. Then his usage dropped to 477 yards on 5.6 per carry and six TDs last year with Cox’s emergence. The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Culver should be a focal point for South this year.
9, Peter Killy
Fairless, Class of 2025
What you should know: After making a good impression as a sophomore (810 yards and 11 TDs) for the 2022 Falcons, Killy’s junior season did not go as planned. He missed six games due to injury and finished the season with 468 yards (at 5.9 per carry) and four TDs. He added one receiving TD. The 5’10”, 175-pound Killy, now in his senior year, was expected to fill a central role for Fairless.
10, Joey Medure
Tuslaw, Class of 2026
What you should know: Broc Dial will have plenty of room to build around him in his offense as he settles in as Tuslaw’s head coach. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Medure, who is entering his third season of college football, ran for 881 yards at 4.2 per carry and six touchdowns as a sophomore last year. He added 15 pass catches for 168 yards.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Greater Canton high school football’s 10 running backs to watch
