Greater Cincinnati has long been a hotbed for elite high school running backs, and this year the pipeline appears deeper than ever. As The Enquirer prepares its season preview, the focus is on a group of athletes whose performances last year have already turned heads across the recruiting landscape.
Rising Stars to Watch
Colton Bellman from East Central burst onto the scene with 1,589 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, a combination of power and agility that has attracted multiple Division I programs. Gage Croley of Goshen earned SBAAC American Division offensive player of the year after a season that saw him dominate both the ground game and the passing attack. Jordan Davis, a dual-threat standout, compiled 1,345 rushing yards and added 920 receiving yards over the past two seasons, underscoring his versatility.
Nehemiah Engleman of Hughes secured first‑team all‑league honors after rushing for 1,053 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Malachi Kennedy from Dayton piled up 1,509 yards and 18 scores, cementing his status as a top prospect. Ryan Minges of East Central, though limited by injury last year, holds several Division I offers and is expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming campaign.
Kenyon Norman from Lakota West is already ranked among Ohio’s top 25 players in the Class of 2027, boasting 19 college offers. Marlan Robertson of Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy added 1,253 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and Gray Robinson of Williamsburg led the Wildcats to a perfect 10‑0 regular season, capturing the SBAAC‑National championship. Completing the list, Dylan Wolf from New Richmond rushed for 1,165 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Fan Engagement and the Vote
Readers have the opportunity to shape the narrative by voting for their favorite back in an online poll that closes on July 31 at 4 p.m. The results will be featured in a follow‑up story that highlights the community’s favorite and provides insight into which players are poised to influence the upcoming season the most.
The buzz surrounding these athletes extends beyond local fields, with several committing to notable college programs such as Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, UMass, Indiana, Maryland, Cincinnati, Iowa, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. Their decisions reflect both the strength of regional high school football and the broader reach of Cincinnati’s talent pipeline across the nation.