When you think of the greatest runnings backs to play high school football in Texas, you likely first think of the NFL greats: Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, and Thurman Thomas. Or, you might think of some older legends like Ken Hall and Doak Walker. And, names like Cedric Benson, Jaquizz Rodgers, Wes Danaher, and Billy Simms. But, one name comes up the most often when we ask, “who is the best running back you’ve seen play Texas high school football?”
Johnathan Gray, Aledo High School
Johnathan Gray, a 5’10’ 195lb running back shared carries his first year for the Aledo Bearcats and was the lead back for three years his Sophomore through Junior season in which Aledo had a 56-4 record. He totaled 10,881 yards and 205 touchdowns while leading the Bearcats to 3 straight 4A D2 UIL State Championships.
High School Rushing Records
Gray is second all-time in rushing yards in Texas high school football history to Ken Hall. Hall put up 11,232 for Sugarland from 1950-53. Only one other running back has over 10,000 career high school rushing yards, Traylon Shead. from Cayuga.
Gray holds the record for most rushing touchdowns in high school football history (nationally, not just high school) with 205, 1 better than Mike Hart.
He also has the third-most rushing yards in a single Texas high school football season with 3,888, behind Ken Hall and Trey Williams. Gray holds the record for most games in a season with 100+ yards, with 16 in both 2009 and 2011. He also has the top two spots for most rushing touchdowns in a season, with 65 in 2011 and 59 in 2010.
In his three State Championship games, Gray rushed for 252 yards and four touchdowns in 2019, 323 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010, and 241 yards and a touchdown in 2011.
Gray was the National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2011; he was also named 1st Team All-American by Parade, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today.
Track
Gray was also a Track and Field standout. He won the district championship three times in the 100-meter dash. He ran a career-best 10.58 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
College
Scout, Rivals, and ESPN all ranked Gray as the number one running back in the country. Gray decided to stay in-state and play for the Texas Longhorns. He had a productive college career, totaling 2,610 yards and 18 total touchdowns in his four years. However, the career fell short of the very high expectations.
NFL
Gray went undrafted in the NFL. He was invited to the New York Giants training camp but did not make the roster. Though other teams showed some interest, Gray never played professional football.
Though Gray had a disappointing college career and did not make it in the NFL, he is easily in the discussion for the greatest Texas high school running back ever. When the games matter the most, in state title games, Gray was at his best. His 2010 323 yards and eight touchdown championship performances are among the most dominant performances in Texas high school football history.
Appears to be written by someone who didn’t see any of them play, including Gray. I saw many of them. Yes, Gray too. All you did for this list apparently is run a google search and pull the names of the easy ones, the ones who went on to have illustrious NFL careers, not necessarily the best HS backs.
No, buddy, Gray isn’t the best HS running back in Texas history, and as good as he was, and he was great no doubt and deservedly in the conversation, he’s possibly not even top 5. No Robert Strait or Malcolm Brown on your list? Ever heard of those names?
Do more research. Learn who the legendary high school backs were. Then write. Seek first to understand. Earl Campbell still is the best High School running back in Texas history and anyone who knows the history of Texas High School football, who has watched and followed it for 40 years, will never argue that point.