Florida 1A’s Best 2027 Running Backs Returning in 2025

Class 1A's Top Returning Running Backs (Class of 2027)   Florida continues to produce premier football talent, and while quarterbacks and wideouts often grab headlines, the state's small-school running backs are showing they belong in the spotlight too.   The Class of 2027 is packed with rising stars who already possess advanced athleticism, versatility, and on-field production. These backs are explosive in space, patient behind blocks, and tough between the tackles—despite being underclassmen, many already lead their offenses and impact games on both sides of the ball.   This list shines a light on top performers from Florida's 1A classification, who are not only key contributors now but also college prospects to track long-term.     1. Howard Dewitt – RB – Melbourne Central Catholic   6'0", 174 lbs Stats: 98 carries, 930 yards | 9.49 YPC | 6 TDs Offers: Syracuse, Warner University   Evaluation: Dewitt has elite top-end speed and big-play ability. He explodes through the second level and consistently hits chunk plays. Great patience behind the line with sharp cuts and excellent acceleration when he hits daylight. Doesn't need many touches to flip a drive, he's a home-run hitter with Power 5-caliber athletic traits. Natural burst, great hip fluidity, and keeps his legs churning through arm tackles. Very few backs in 1A can match his burst and lateral quickness in open space.   2. Kamren McMillan – RB/OLB – FAMU High   5'10", 170 lbs Stats: 145 carries, 878 yards | 6.06 YPC | 6 TDs   Evaluation: McMillan is one of those two-way guys who plays like a grown man. He's slippery in traffic and rarely takes clean hits — great pad control and balance. His 6.0+ YPC on a high workload shows how efficient he is at staying on schedule. You can use him in zone or gap schemes — he reads keys well and doesn't overthink the run. McMillan is a no-nonsense player who gets north-south in a hurry.   3. Aaron Truedell – RB – Lakeland Christian   5'9", 162 lbs Stats: 65 carries, 670 yards | 10.31 YPC | 9 TDs Offers: Georgia Tech, Warner University   Evaluation: Truedell is one of the most efficient backs in this class. He's shifty in the hole, shows great burst off his plant foot, and doesn't waste movement. His ability to find a crease and accelerate instantly makes him a dangerous chunk-play guy. He has elite short-area quickness and his cuts are sharp. He's compact, tough to square up, and brings real juice to an offense. Georgia Tech is on him for a reason — he fits today's spread run game perfectly.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1671677' first='Arwin' last='Jackson'] – RB – Chaminade-Madonna High   5'10", 170 lbs Stats: 86 carries, 665 yards | 7.73 YPC | 8 TDs Track Speed: 100m/200m sprinter Offers: 7+ Division I   Evaluation: Jackson is speed in a bottle, his acceleration is on another level. What separates him is that he's not just a sprinter playing football, he's a real back with vision, patience, and cutting ability. He gets to the edge with ease and shows great one-cut ability on inside zone. Coaches love his upside as a receiver and return man too. The D1 interest is well-earned, and his track background only adds to the upside. He's electric when he gets a crease.   5. Arius Burt – RB/DB – North Florida Christian   5'7", 160 lbs Stats: 122 carries, 578 yards | 4.74 YPC | 7 TDs   Evaluation: Burt is one of the more compact, high-effort backs in the class. He's got good vision in traffic and shows flashes of tough in-between-the-tackles running. He doesn't hesitate, gets downhill quickly and always falls forward. Plays with a chip on his shoulder and is willing to take on contact. At DB, he brings that same edge, physical and instinctual. Might not have the top gear others have, but he's a grinder who racks up yards with consistency.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1870798' first='Mack' last='Mitchell'] – LB/RB – Evangelical Christian   6'1", 205 lbs Stats: 84 carries, 559 yards | 6.65 YPC | 7 TDs Offers: Delaware State   Evaluation: Mitchell is a bruising, north-south back who thrives on contact. Built like a linebacker — and plays like one — he's tough to bring down when he gets going. He does his best work between the tackles and in short-yardage situations where he can lower his shoulder and move the chains. Shows good balance and control when absorbing hits. The Delaware State offer makes sense — he's got next-level physicality and can carve out a role as a power back or hybrid defender.   7. Ashton Mobley – RB – St. John Paul II Catholic   5'8", 165 lbs Stats: 108 carries, 472 yards | 4.37 YPC | 4 TDs   Evaluation: Mobley is a reliable, workhorse-type back who brings steady production to an offense. He's got a solid frame and takes on a high volume of carries without wearing down. His footwork is clean, and he finds his way through tight gaps with decent vision. While he may not be the flashiest back, he plays with toughness and doesn't back down from contact. Still developing his top-end speed, but the effort, consistency, and toughness are all there.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='1673053' first='Jaelyn' last='Powell'] – RB – The First Academy   5'9", 192 lbs Stats: 44 carries, 415 yards | 9.43 YPC | 5 TDs Offers: 7+ Division I   Evaluation: Powell is an absolute load to bring down he has a thick build, powerful legs, and a physical running style. He brings real pop on contact and can run through would-be tacklers. Impressive YPC for a back with his size — he's not just a power back, he's got breakaway vision and patience. Has the body type and downhill running style colleges love. Multiple offers and for good reason — he's a future D1 back who brings both production and physicality.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='1620529' first='Noah' last='Flores'] – RB – Melbourne Central Catholic   5'8", 165 lbs Stats: 47 carries, 414 yards | 8.81 YPC | 6 TDs Offers: Western Michigan, Jacksonville State   Evaluation: Flores is one of the cleanest runners in 1A. He's quick in space, smart with his reads, and shows impressive balance when bouncing off contact. You can see he understands leverage and has good vision, especially in zone concepts. Can hit home runs or chip away — and the 8.8 YPC proves it. Already on college radars with a pair of offers. He plays under control, but with burst, and continues to rise as one of Florida's under-the-radar backs.

Class 1A's Top Returning Running Backs (Class of 2027)