Editors note: This is the second installment in the eight-part “YPS Top 50” series from Your Prep Sports highlighting 50 of the top returning football players for the 2026 season.

Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

The YPS Top 50 is an eight-story series that highlights 50 of the top returning football players in the Your Prep Sports area for the 2026 season by position group.

The series kicked off yesterday with a look at the top returning quarterbacks in the area for 2026.

Today the focus shifts to the rest of the offensive backfield with the running backs.

Over the course of the next several days six more position groups – pass catchers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs and special teams will all be featured.

Here is a look at the top returning running backs in the Your Prep Sports area for the 2026 season.

Keaton Gates

Senior, West Branch

In his first season as the West Branch lead back Gates turned in one of the top seasons for a running back in recent program history ranking in the top 13 in Class 2A in rushing yards, yards per carry and rushing touchdowns.

Gates was a second team Class 2A all-state selection by the Iowa Football Coaches Association after rushing for 1,289 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The 1,289 yards by Gates ranked fifth in 2A and the 13 touchdowns were the 13^th most in 2A last season.

Gates ranked seventh in 2A averaging 7.5 yards per carry while ranking 14^th with 172 carries.

The 5-foot-8, 155-pound Gates had four games with over 200 rushing yards while becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher for West Branch since 2022.

Savion Miller

Senior, City High

One of the top overall players and best running backs in the state Miller will provide a big boost to City High backfield after an all-state season last fall as a junior at Regina.

Miller was a first-team Class 1A all-state pick last season after averaging 9.8 yards per offensive touch and scoring 25 touchdowns while helping the Regals to a Class 1A runner-up finish.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Miller rushed for 1,068 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

An excellent receiver out of the backfield Miller also caught 16 passes for 338 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 21.1 yards per reception.

A powerful runner with breakaway speed, Miller has rushed for 1,990 yards and 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.

Brody Beaver

Senior, Liberty High

A prime candidate for a big breakthrough this season Beaver showcased his talent down the stretch last fall after being slowed by an injury early in the season.

Beaver rushed for 648 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry last season while helping the Lightning to an 11-2 record and a Class 5A runner-up finish.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Beaver was at his best down the stretch rushing for 281 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry and catching 16 passes for 116 yards in four postseason games.

Beaver had three games with over 100 yards including a 138-yard, two-touchdown performance in a win over West High and a career-high 158 yards in a win over Pleasant Valley.

A true all-purpose back, Beaver was dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield catching 30 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown.

Ian Kelley

Senior, Clear Creek Amana

Kelley came on strong down the stretch last season averaging nearly 50 yards per game on the ground over the final four games of the season.

A key two-way player for the Clippers, Kelley ranked fifth on the team with 26.5 tackles from his linebacker spot in addition to his time in the offensive backfield.

The 5-foot-8, 193-pound Kelley is the top returning rusher for the Clippers after running for 263 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6 yards per carry last season.

Kelley did his best offensive work down the stretch last fall.

After carrying eight times for 76 yards in the first five games Kelley rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the final four games.

Kelley led the Clippers in rushing twice in the final four games of the season helping the Clippers go 2-2 in that stretch.

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