Iowa high school football: Top returning RBs in 2025

In some states, the running back position has been completely phased out of high school offenses. That is not the case in Iowa high school football, as it is still a primary tool for moving the ball.

Last year, five players surpassed 2,000 yards rushing and another 100 went over 1,000 yards including quarterbacks.

We previously put the spotlight on the top returning quarterbacks in Iowa and wide receivers set for action.

But here we are focusing on the top returning running backs in 2025 in Iowa high school football. Players are listed by their school grade from 2024.

Jaxon Gordon, Riverside, Junior

Gordon found the end zone 31 times last year, averaging almost seven yards per carry while piling up 1,932 yards on 285 carries.

Kasen Thomas, Bishop Heelan, Junior

A speedster in all the senses, Thomas broke loose for 1,841 yards and 26 touchdowns a year ago, averaging over nine yards per tote.

Nathan Moon, Clarksville, Sophomore

Listed as a running back, Moon produced 1,723 yards rushing with 26 touchdowns.

Rogan Heidt, Maquoketa Valley, Sophomore

Defenses will need to try and contain Heidt for two more years after he went off for 1,580 yards and 25 TDs, averaging just a shade under nine per carry.

Hudson Ehrenfelt, Mid-Prairie, Junior

Along with putting out 1,365 yards on 242 carries, Ehrenfelt hit paydirt 26 times as an 11th-grader.

Deacon Caspers, Charles City, Junior

Opponents did everything they could to stop Caspers, and it didn’t work, as he rushed for 1,365 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Korben Michels, Saint Ansgar, Junior

Michels was a force for the Saints, piling up almost 1,300 yards and 16 TDs. The most impressive number? His 11.1 yards per average he had on 117 carries.

Jarin Hoffman, Kuemper Catholic, Sophomore

The ground attack to one of the top passing offenses in the state, Hoffman balanced things out with 1,294 yards and 17 touchdowns.