Elijah Little Elijah Little 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Thunderbird | 2025 State AZ was a problem all year long. Thunderbird leaned on him heavily, and he never let up — finishing with a state-leading 2,346 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 21.3 carries per game and still managing to average over 9 yards a carry. That kind of combo — high volume and high efficiency — is rare. What makes Little so tough to stop is the way he mixes vision and balance with straight-up power. He’s patient behind the line, waits for things to develop, and then hits the gas. And when he gets into the open field, he’s gone. His 283-yard, 5-touchdown night against Bradshaw Mountain was the perfect snapshot of the kind of damage he could do — but it wasn’t just a one-off. He put up numbers like that all year. Thunderbird’s offense ran through him, and he answered the bell every time. One of the most complete backs in the state this season, no question.

Elijah Little Elijah Little 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Thunderbird | 2025 State AZ was nothing short of unstoppable for Thunderbird this season. The senior running back racked up 2,346 rushing yards and an incredible 35 touchdowns, all while averaging an eye-popping 9.2 yards per carry. Whether he was bouncing outside for a big gain or fighting through defenders between the tackles, Little delivered time and time again. His standout game came against Bradshaw Mountain, where he exploded for 283 yards and five touchdowns, showing exactly why he was one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in 4A. Little’s relentless running style and big-play ability powered Thunderbird to a 10-1 record, cementing his place among the state’s top backs.

Elijah Little Elijah Little 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Thunderbird | 2025 State AZ is, without a doubt, one of the best running backs in the entire state, and he has a strong case for the top spot in the 4A division. Little’s speed and acceleration are something that defenders simply can’t keep up with. Possessing incredible twitch, Little is a back who can weave through the heart of the trenches without getting touched by more than a fingertip. If someone is able to get a more solid grasp, he still doesn’t go down easy. With surprising strength coming from his 5’8″ 160 lbs frame, he has an incredibly solid base. That strong base also gives him great balance as he takes hits and just bounces off them to continue on down the field. Little had just under 1,800 yards on the ground last year and was able to bust into the endzone 22 times. The sky’s the limit for Little after another offseason of work.