Preseason all-Bay Area News Group high school football 2024: Running backs/Athletes

As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2024 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area Area News Group preseason recognition.

Today’s positions:

RUNNING BACKS

(Listed in alphabetical order)

Mekhi Adanandus, Heritage, 5-5, 155, senior

The speedster helped fill the large shoes of departed Fresno State running back Devon Rivers as he rushed for 1,012 yards and 10 touchdowns. One part of a sensational Heritage trio that includes WR JJ Kinnaird and QB Phillip Babbit. 

Jaxon Bell, Liberty, 5-6, 165, junior

First-team all-BVAL selection with offers from Nevada and Alabama-Birmingham rushed for 1,537 yards and 25 touchdowns. Looking to propel the Lions to the NCS playoffs after they were kept out in 2023. 

Derrick Blanche Jr., De La Salle, 5-8, 175, senior

One half of De La Salle’s fearsome senior RB duo, he rushed for 969 yards and 10 touchdowns as the three-star RB was named first-team all-EBAL. Also has soft hand out of the backfield, catching 14 passes. 

Elijah Bow, Pittsburg, 5-9, 190, senior

The thunder to Jamar Searcy’s lightning, the powerful Bow was named first-team all-BVAL for the NCS Division I champs after rushing for 1,296 yards and 15 TDs. One of the best goal-line backs in the Bay Area. 

Elijah Fields, South San Francisco, 6-0, 200, senior

The best player on South San Francisco’s CCS Division V championship team. Fields went both ways for South City, and teams with Darren Miller to be the big-play threat in the Warriors’ T-formation offense. 

Emmanuel Fitzgerald, San Mateo, 6-1, 225, senior

First-team all-PAL Ocean running back rushed for 1,243 yds and a dozen touchdowns as the centerpiece of San Mateo’s run-heavy attack. Will also play linebacker for the Bearcats. 

Jarious Hogan, St. Ignatius, junior, 5-7, 180

First-team all-WCAL selection led the Wildcats with 518 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, and also had 11 receptions and two receiving touchdowns. 

Kingston Keanaaina, St. Francis, 6-0, 200, senior

The definition of an old-school workhorse running back, Keanaaina rushed for 1,309 yards and 16 touchdowns. Named the WCAL RB of the year and has offers from Arizona and BYU. 

Dominic Kelley, De La Salle, 6-0, 190, senior

The other half of De La Salle’s decorated backfield, he has turned into quite a player for the Concord powerhouse. The three-star runner rushed for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Aaron Lipscomb, Fremont-Oakland, 5-10, 180

Lipscomb has been the model of consistency for Fremont, being named all-OAL for the second season in a row. Runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and is looking to eclipse the 3,000-yard mark for his career. 

Julian McMahan, Monte Vista, 6-2, 195, senior

Three-star Washington commit was first-team all-EBAL Mountain Division after rushing for 1,113 yds and 16 touchdowns, and pulling in 293 receiving yards and three touchdowns. A versatile athlete who is also a college-caliber linebacker. 

Kamarri Robinson, Livermore, 5-8, 175, senior

Robinson is back for his senior season after rushing for 2,145 yards in nine games as a junior. Put himself in the record books after rushing for 534 yards and five touchdowns against Dublin, the fifth-most yards in state history. 

John ‘Sharky” Tamale, McClymonds, 6-0, 210

First-team all-OAL selection should be the latest in a long line of gifted McClymonds running backs after splitting carries last season. Will also play linebacker for the top team in the league. 

Evan Usher, Woodside, 6-2, 195, senior

The first-team all-PAL El Camino selection rushed for 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. Could run for a third consecutive 1,000-yard season. Has 42 career touchdowns from scrimmage. 

Lucas Zayac, Capuchino, 5-9, 180, senior

The PAL Ocean player of the year and first-team all-league selection at running back helped propel Capuchino to the league title and a spot in the CCS playoffs. 

ATHLETES

Jaylan Bryant, Deer Valley, 6-0, 180, junior

The explosive and versatile defensive back makes an impact on special teams and defense. Had 688 return yards, and also had three interceptions and four fumble recoveries as Deer Valley snapped a three-year losing streak. 

Dominik Calhoun, Pittsburg, 6-1, 191, senior

Boise State commit had 44 tackles and three TFL at El Cerrito last season. The three-star prospect also has interest from Oregon and Colorado. Will join a loaded Pittsburg secondary. 

Jeremiah Fung, Palo Alto, 6-3, 195, senior

First-team all-PAL De Anza Division selection for the CCS Division IV champions. Had 67 tackles and three interceptions, and caught 50 passes for 865 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Connor Heath, Half Moon Bay, 6-0, 191, senior

The PAL De Anza utility player of year played running back, wideout and defensive back for HMB. Heath should be an integral piece of Half Moon Bay’s run-heavy attack. 

Jaden Jefferson, De La Salle, 5-9, 155, junior

An all-EBAL Mountain selection had 422 rushing yards and two interceptions. Three-star prospect. Arguably the fastest player in the section who ran the 100 meters in 10.4 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in the state. 

Alonzo Johnson, Piedmont Hills, 6-0, 190, senior

BVAL Santa Teresa most outstanding WR pulled in 51 passes and caught four touchdowns. Will also be a leader on defense, where Johnson had 52 tackles and four interceptions last season. 

Chase McGill, California, 6-3, 205, senior

All-EBAL Mountain Division and all-Bay Area News Group selection caught 10 touchdowns for the Grizzlies. Also plays linebacker and is expected to have a big year on that side of the ball.

Carlton Perrilliat, Salesian, 6-5, 200, senior

Turned nine of his 19 receptions into touchdowns last season. After being a part of Salesian’s NorCal Open Division title-winning basketball team, Perrilliat should be the top target on a team that’s should make the football playoffs. 

Kyan Phillips, Lincoln-San Jose, 6-1, 198, junior

The BVAL Mt Hamilton Division sophomore of the year played defensive back, receiver and quarterback for the Lions. Also had 41 tackles for Lions. 

Austin Price, Silver Creek, 6-0, 175, senior

A first-team all-BVAL Santa Teresa Foothill Division selection had seven touchdown receptions, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries while also putting up 449 return yards. 

Peyton Richards, Granada, 6-3, 195, senior

The first-team all-EBAL Valley Division selection put up 767 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season. A member of Granada’s championship baseball team. Should be a top target for the Matadors this season. 

Jakorey Robinson, Mt. Diablo, 6-3, 216, senior

Named first-team all-DAL Valley on offense and second-team on defense. Will be asked to carry the offense as both a rusher and passer with the graduation of record-breaking running back Herschel Turner Jr. 

Brayden Rosa, Wilcox, 5-10, 180, senior

The first-team all-PAL Bay selection as a linebacker had 113 tackles, 11 TFL and four sacks for the CCS Division I finalists. Also plays running back for Wilcox. 

Jamar Searcy, Pittsburg, 5-8, 180, senior

The Washington State commit with a 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash showed that speed on both sides of the ball. Put up 1,596 all-purpose yards and picked off four passes. Will team with Elijah Bow to make a classic thunder and lightning backfield. 

Benjamin Thurman, Berkeley, 6-4, 240, senior

Perhaps the most physically-gifted wide receiver in the Bay Area. Three-star receiver/DE with an offer from Oregon State had three sacks and caught two touchdowns. Could blow past those number this season. 

Luke Whitson, Leland, 5-10, 180, senior

First-team all-BVAL Mt. Hamilton Division selection caught six touchdowns, led the CCS with six interceptions, kicked 17 extra points and made 4 of 5 field goals. Should be the best player in the BVAL Santa Teresa-Valley this season.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE

Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.

Correspondent Mike Lefkow contributed to this report.