The Upstate's top 10 running backs

With the South Carolina high school football season nearing its Aug. 22 kickoff of Week 0, here's a look at rankings for the Upstate's best running backs in the SCHSL.

1. Aiden Gibson

Woodruff | 6-foot-1, 195 pounds | Junior

Why Chosen: Gibson dominated Class AAA football last season, rushing for 1,555 yards with 24 touchdowns along with 309 receiving yards with three touchdowns. He already has received offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida State and Virginia Tech, according to 247Sports.

2. Trenton Lynch

Spartanburg | 5-9, 185 | Junior

Why Chosen: Lynch was a huge factor in Spartanburg's successful 2024 season, rushing for 1,400 yards with 17 touchdowns as the team reached the Class AAAAA Division 1 Upper State final. One of his best games was in a 58-14 blowout over Byrnes, when he rushed for 186 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. He has offers from Syracuse, Liberty, JMU, Wake Forest and more.

3. Tre Segarra

Byrnes | 5-10, 195 | Junior

Why Chosen: Segarra missed a majority of the 2024 season and still managed to make an impact. In his first game back, he rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-22 win over Boiling Springs. He has Power Four offers from Clemson, Stanford, Syracuse, Maryland, South Carolina, and more.

4. Michael Martin ll

Christ Church | 5-9, 185 | Sophomore

Why Chosen: Martin had 676 rushing yards, averaging 61.5 per game and nine touchdowns as a freshman. He has received offers from Syracuse, Rhode Island and Wake Forest according to 247Sports.

5. Jaiden McDowell

Gaffney | 5-11, 170 | Senior

Why Chosen: McDowell was a key asset to Gaffney's star-studded offense last season. He finished with 715 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while sharing the backfield with Chas Smith. He has offers from Wofford, Mercer, Gardner-Webb, Charlotte, South Florida and more.

6. Tyqwon Booker

Broome | 6-2, 160 | Senior

Why Chosen: Booker had a much bigger role in the backfield in 2024 after Jaylen McGill transferred to Mountain View Prep. He handled it well, finishing the season with 1,305 rushing yards, averaging 119 per game and scoring eight touchdowns.

7. Nick Means

Dorman | 5-8, 165 | Junior

Why Chosen: Means was a leader in the backfield for the Cavaliers. He finished with 821 rushing yards and opened the season with a three-touchdown game.

8. Bojack Johnson

Fountain Inn | 5-9, 181 | Junior

Why Chosen: Johnson had 718 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns in eight games last season, including a three-touchdown game in a 56-6 blowout over Carolina Academy.

9. Eli Foster

Eastside | 5-9, 180 | Senior

Why Chosen: Foster rushed for 688 yards with seven touchdowns in seven games in 2024, averaging 6.2 per carry. His best game was during a 34-0 romp against Wade Hampton in which he rushed for 220 yards with three touchdowns.

10. Mj Earl

Belton-Honea Path | 5-9, 165 | Senior

Why Chosen: Earl will have some big shoes to fill this season, but he's proven to be up for the task. In reserve last season, he totaled 561 rushing yards, averaging 6.6 per carry, with eight touchdowns.