The start of the Texas high school football season is less than a month away.
As the calendar turns to the new season, the Caller-Times is continuing its annual Players to Watch series.
The Coastal Bend graduated several standout running backs last season, but another talented group returns to the mix this year.
Here are the eight to keep an eye on in 2026.
Marcos Zapata, sr., Sinton
Zapata was a two-way standout for Sinton during his junior season and earned first-team all-district honors on defense in the process. Alongside the area's top running back, Mykha Green, Zapata rushed 45 times for 566 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 9 yards per carry. Look for Zapata to have a breakout season as the Pirates'
primary weapon in the backfield.
Andrew Charlebois, sr., Veterans Memorial
Charlebois was named the District 15-5A Division I Offensive MVP for good reason a season ago. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Charlebois rushed for 2,245 yards on 289 carries in the Eagles' run to the postseason. In fact, Charlebois had 10 games with at least 100 rushing yards as he continued to be a focal point for opposing defenses.
Samuel Smith, sr., Flour Bluff
Smith returns after earning first-team all-district honors as a junior. The 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back had 146 carries for 1,137 yards and 24 touchdowns as the Hornets clinched another playoff berth. Even with the Hornets being a passing team in years past, Smith has consistently been the team's go-to player on the ground.
Jimmy Tipton, so., Calallen
Tipton returns after a productive freshman campaign at Calallen. Tipton showed potential after running for 893 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. With another year of experience, Tipton could take on an even larger role for the Wildcats, who have historically had talented running backs.
Brian McCullum, jr., Ray
McCullum earned first-team all-district honors after putting together a strong sophomore season for the Texans. McCullum carried the ball 194 times for 1,212 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and scored 13 touchdowns in the process. McCullum also had six games with more than 100 rushing yards in the Texans' run back to the UIL playoffs.
Daniel Bahn, jr., Orange Grove
Bahn was one of the Coastal Bend's most productive all-around players despite playing in only eight games as a sophomore. Bahn broke the 1,000-yard mark, finishing with 110 carries for 1,243 yards and 19 touchdowns. Bahn finished with 1,465 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns to earn District 15-3A Division I Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Kayden Dufour, sr., West Oso
Dufour moves to West Oso for his senior season after playing at Moody earlier in his high school career. Despite missing playing time in 2025, the former first-team All-South Texas running back still rushed for 732 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns. A healthy Dufour could mean serious production for the Bears' offense.
Damarius Montgomery, sr., Kingsville
Montgomery looks to continue being a workhorse for the Brahmas after carrying the ball 162 times for 1,407 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Montgomery averaged 8.7 yards per carry and 127.9 rushing yards per game to give opposing defenses fits and earn second-team All-South Texas football honors.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Meet the 8 top high school football running backs to watch in the Coastal Bend
