Vote for the Guardian Foundation Repair top preseason running back

We continue our position-by-positing high school football polls.

It’s time to vote for your choice for the Guardian Foundation Repair top preseason running back for the 2025 TSSAA football season in the Knoxville area.

We have 12 players to choose from. The poll closes at noon on June 19. Click on the image below this article to make your selection.

Here are the candidates.

Joseph Armenta, Carter: Armenta had 75 carries last season for 488 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also had 12 catches for 74 yards and nine combined touchdowns. Defensively he finished with 49 tackles, eight for a loss and a sack.

Thomas Bowers, Heritage: Bowers had 85 carries for 425 yards and caught 11 passes for 86 yards and nine total TDs. He also contributed with 80 tackles and two interceptions.

Cameron George, Karns: After losing a combined 1,100 yards of rushing offense between two senior running backs after the 2024 season, George returns as the most experienced back with 44 carries last season for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Ryan Gibson, South-Doyle: Gibson is a transfer from Seymour where he ran 251 times for 1,554 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had seven games of over 100 yards despite Seymour’s 2-8 record.

Baxter Johnson, Webb: In 10 games last season, Johnson had 743 yards on 115 rushes with seven touchdowns while hauling in 15 passes for 104 yards and a TD.

Micah Jones, Alcoa: Jones was dominant in Alcoa’s 10th straight Class 3A state title. He was named Region 2-3A Sophomore of the Year after rushing 127 times for 719 rushing yards and 13 TDs. He led Alcoa with three rushing TDs in the state title win over Westview. Defensively he had 51 tackles with four interceptions, a fumble recovery and two defensive TDs as a linebacker.

Ayden Kline, William Blount: Kline finished with 637 rush yards and 10 touchdowns with another 97 yards receiving with one one TD.

Brayden Maples, Gatlinburg-Pittman: Brayden was named to the TSWA All-State team as a sophomore in 2024. He rushed for 1,300 yards and 24 TDs. He has been recruited by school like Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Vanderbilt and has an offer from Miami (Ohio).

Nathan Patterson, Sevier County: Patterson was named Region 1-5A honorable mention after finishing with 83 rushes for 386 yards and three TDs.

Damillyan, Porter Oak Ridge: One of the top running backs in East Tennessee, Porter had 245 carries for 1,286 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also had 32 catches for 388 yards and three TDs for an Oak Ridge team that finished 9-5 and advanced to the Class 5A state semifinal.

Matthew Rogers, Catholic: Rogers rushed for 590 yards and three TDs last season and holds offers from NC State, Toledo, SMU, Florida State, Indiana, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Purdue and Louisville.

Jayzon Thompson, Anderson County: Thompson transferred from Bearden to Anderson County as one of the top backs in the state. He’s a three-star back ranked as the No. 22 prospect in Tennessee, according to 247Sports Composite. He holds offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Ole Miss, Purdue, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Wisconsin among others. He rushed 134 times for 778 yards and 10 TDs while guiding Bearden to a 9-4 record and a 6A state quarterfinal berth.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.