SB Live California player rankings: Top 10 RBs in Southern California high school football
On the heels of our Top 100, where we ranked the best high school football players in Southern California, we’re now bringing you position-by-position rankings. The rankings encompass the Southern Section, L.A. City Section and San Diego Section.
These are preseason rankings based on last year’s performance and spring and summer observations. We will update the rankings at midseason.
More rankings: Top QBs | Top RBs | Top WRs | Top DBs
Here’s a look at the Top 10 Running backs:
No. 10 Joshua Ward - 2020 San Pedro RB
Ward was the Division 1 player of the year in the LA City Section in 2018. He started 2019 with a bang, scoring two long rushing TDs in a 25-0 win over North Torrance.
No. 9 Eddie Allain - 2022 Norte Vista RB
Allain rushed for over 1,500 yards as a freshman. In his first game as a sophomore, Allain rushed for 242 yards and two scores in a 28-14 win over Paloma Valley.
No. 8 Isaac Hurtado – 2020 Cypress RB/LB
Last year Hurtado was named the Offensive MVP of the Empire League. In game one of 2019, the senior rushed for 112 yards and a TD in a 28-9 win over Peninsula.
No. 7 Elelyon Noa – 2020 Helix RB
Last season, Noa was named the East County Sports Player of the Year. He rushed for 2,326 yards on 202 carries and scored 25 touchdowns. Noa needs eight rushing yards to pass Reggie Bush's high school yardage mark of 4,925. Eight yards would move Noa to 11th all time in San Diego Section history.
No. 6 Jyden King – 2020 Calabasas RB
King transferred to Calabasas last year but was not eligible to play until late in the season. The Washington State commit should have a big 2019.
No. 5 Damien Moore – 2020 Bishop Amat RB
Moore rushed for 206 yards and two scores in Bishop Amat's 17-0 season opening win against Diamond Ranch. The senior is committed to Cal.
No. 4 Byron Cardwell – 2021 St. Augustine RB
Cardwell rushed for 158 yards and two TDs on just 13 carries in St. Augustine's 37-7 opening night win over Bonita Vista. Cardwell is a national recruit.
No. 3 Marshawn Buchanan – 2020 Adelanto RB
Buchanan rushed for 2,137 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. He averaged nearly 12 yards per carry. The running back is committed to Washington State.
No. 2 Nathaniel Jones – 2020 St. John Bosco RB
Jones tore his ACL and MCL in a preseason game last year for St. John Bosco. He pledged to UCLA in late June. Jones will make his 2019 debut in week one for the Braves.
No. 1 Chris Street – 2020 JSerra RB
The Cal commit rushed for 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. Street started 2019 with a 132-yard, two touchdown performance in a 24-14 win over East (Ut.) for JSerra.
