Last week, the Gainesville Sun released our list of the Gainesville area’s best quarterbacks. In that list, we noted that QBs – especially at smaller schools – aren’t as necessary as they are on the college or professional level.
The same cannot be said about running backs – the lifeblood of nearly every offense in the area. And better yet, many of the top-notch running backs from 2025 are back for the 2026 campaign.
All-Area First Teamers Jasiah Powell, Javaris Gardner and Iyen Addison all return. So do Buchholz’s Josh Menefee and Hawthorne’s Derryek Gillins – both All-Area Second Teamers.
Point is, our local area is stacked with talent in 2026, and we can’t wait to see what happens.
Here are the nine best running backs heading into the season:
Jasiah Powell, Santa Fe
Powell emerged as a serious contender for the area’s best running back in 2024 at Buchholz. He transferred to Earnest Graham and Santa Fe last season. In Alachua, Powell carried the Raiders to a postseason appearance and a 7-3 record with 1,353 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns. He was named First-Team All-Area by the Sun.
Javaris Gardner, Eastside
Powell was the expected choice heading into last season for best running back, but Gardner surprised all and exploded to a phenomenal season. Gardner took over the Eastside backfield and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. That got the attention of numerous college coaches – including former Gators and current UNLV coach Dan Mullen. And he’s still got two years left after a First Team All-Area season.
Iyen Addison, Bradford
In the spring, Addison – another First Team All-Area selectee – was listed on the roster at Middleburg. Now, though, Addison – with new head coach Ross Baker – is back at Bradford. Baker led Georgia Class 6A’s best offense at Valdosta, and he can do the same with Addison, who rushed for 1,073 yards in 2026.
Josh Menefee, Buchholz
Like Powell two years ago, Menefee burst onto the scene as a sophomore and took over the Bobcats backfield. He warded off Chris Johnson and ran for 684 yards in 2025 on his way to a Second Team All-Area campaign, despite missing two games due to injury. With Andrew Whittemore around as well for his junior season, the Buchholz offense will be lethal in 2026.
Derryek Gillins, Hawthorne
Menefee wasn’t the only sophomore stud surprise in 2025. The Hawthorne offense expected to be heavy on fellow sophomore QB Richard Roundtree. While that remained the case, Gillins rushed for 1,016 yards including 137 and four touchdowns in the 30-8 playoff win over Williston. This, plus Roundtree’s play, allowed the Hornets to win a state championship in what was supposed to be a “down year.”
Drew Simmons, Bradford
Two years ago, Drew Simmons high school future looked as bright as a light that attracts a moth. He rushed for 1,444 yards and 17 touchdowns at Union County under coach Andrew Thomas. Thomas, though, was fired in the offseason and Lake Butler turned into a dumpster fire. Simmons then decided to bolt north to Columbia. Injuries, though, plagued his season and he rushed for just over 200 yards. Simmons moved once again this offseason and found his new home with Baker and Addison in Starke to form a star-studded offense.
Jerome Horne, Columbia
Part of the reason coach Brian Allen and Columbia isn’t more disappointed about Simmons departure is the emergence of Jerome Horne. The sophomore running back ran for 482 yards and eight touchdowns in six games including 157 yards and two touchdowns in a dramatic 27-20 win over Trinity Christian. His season ended due to injury before the calendar turned to October, but Horne – with offers from Troy and UNLV – is ready to shine in 2026.
Landin Williams, Bell
A top-notch high school career ends this season for Williams. The Bell running back led the entire state of Florida – regardless of classification or association – with 1,981 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024 as the Bulldogs reached an SSAA title game. His numbers dipped in 2025, but he still tallied over 1,200 yards – despite his first three games being under 100 yards.
Darius Medley, Oak Hall
Speaking of the SSAA, Darius Medley made a strong case for passing Williams in terms of the area’s best RB in that league. He approached him in rushing yards with 1,148 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Eagles, meanwhile, generated an historic season that ended in an SSAA championship. With QB Aaron Akins at UPenn, Oak Hall’s offense will revolve around Medley in 2026.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1, Instagram @Ramreporter and Facebook Noah Ram – Reporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Here are the nine best running backs for the Gainesville area in 2026
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
